Chapter 2The Choice I Make This Time

By that afternoon, missing person flyers with my brother's face were plastered across every street and alley, and the story was broadcast on the local news, offering a $30,000 reward.

In this era, $30,000 was a massive sum of money.

Initially, I had wondered if the kidnappers would reach out to negotiate privately. But the moment those flyers went up, I knew my brother was never coming back. A private ransom exchange was now completely off the table.

With countless major and minor cases occurring every day, my brother's kidnapping case was eventually moved to the cold case files.

In my past life, because I remembered the license plate number and told the police, they easily tracked down and rescued my brother. His repayment for my saving his life was negligently allowing me to be kidnapped when I was seven.

After all, we were biological siblings; the same blood ran in our veins.

Returning the favor is only fair, right?

...

As I grew, I gradually revealed my intelligence and business acumen, occasionally suggesting highly profitable investment ideas. Slowly, these successes pulled my parents out of the abyss of losing their son.

My father happily ruffled my hair: "Mia really is our lucky charm. She's helped Mom and Dad make so much money."

I giggled sweetly: "I saw on TV that rich people live in huge houses with giant swimming pools in the front! It looks so cool!"

"Mom, Dad, let's move to a big house too! If we live next to other rich people, maybe we can share ideas and make even more money!"

"I heard people say that your social circle is the most important thing!"

My words struck a chord. My parents exchanged a look. The money we were making now was more than enough to buy a luxury villa. But deep down, they were still holding onto the hope that my brother might be found. What if he came back and they had moved?

So, I had to completely sever that hope and erase every last trace of my brother from their lives.

My father nodded decisively: "Alright, we'll listen to Mia. Your social circle is everything."

The very next day, my parents started house hunting. They eventually spent a fortune on a massive estate in the city center, surrounded by neighbors who were either old money or political heavyweights.

With my adorable looks and sweet talking, I easily won over the neighbors. Carrying plates of my mother's homemade cookies, I visited several of the surrounding households and quickly built a rapport with them.

Because of these connections, my parents secured several major contracts. Even though they intentionally bid low to the point of breaking even, the crucial relationships were established.

I took the opportunity to speak up: "Mom, Dad, you guys are always so busy with work, and it gets so quiet and lonely at home when I'm by myself. Why don't we adopt a brother so he can play with me?"

Why a brother?

Because I needed to completely obliterate my biological brother's position in my parents' hearts. If he miraculously managed to find his way back, my deeply misogynistic parents would immediately hand all my hard-earned accomplishments over to him. Acting as his stepping stone? Not a chance in hell.

At this point, my parents doted on me completely and agreed without hesitation.