No, this couldn't be real.

She covered her face, sobbing as she shook her head frantically. "No... this is impossible. I was supposed to be the richest one. How did I lose everything? This wasn't supposed to happen..."

"Stop whining and move!" the bulky man barked, reaching for her.

She stumbled backward in terror. "Don't touch me! My daughter is rich. I'll call her right now. She'll save her brother."

Shivering from the biting cold, the bulky man pushed Sophia back inside the house. "Get in. It's freezing out here. We won't touch you. If your daughter is willing to pay up, we'll take the cash and leave you alone."

The warmth of the heating system inside offered immediate relief.

The bulky man shook the chill from his heavy frame, while his companion rolled his eyes. "I told you to wear a jacket, but no, you had to act tough. Serves you right."

"Whatever, I thought we were just grabbing her and leaving. It's fine now."

He turned his attention back to Sophia, who was standing frozen in shock. "What are you waiting for? Call your daughter and get her to send the money. I want to go home to my wife tonight."

Sophia seethed with anger. How could a brute like him even have a wife?

Gritting her teeth, she pulled out her phone and called Joanna.

"Mom, what is it?" Joanna answered, her tone clipped. She was sitting in the hospital ward, watching over Maxwell. He was still unconscious, and her anxiety was at an all-time high.

She had planned so much for tonight, hoping for a perfect holiday with Maxwell, but everything had fallen apart.

Joanna closed her eyes, utterly exhausted.

Then came her mother's frantic sobbing through the receiver.

"Joanna, you have to save us! Your brother went to the casino and lost thirty million dollars. The debt

collectors a

s are at the house. Inwes don't pay up, they're going to kill him!"

"Joanna, he's your only brother. You have to save him."

"He's the only brother you have left in this world. Please, I know thirty million isn't impossible for you. Once this blows over, I'll make him work for you like a dog. Please!"

Joanna felt a headache pounding at her temples. Just more endless drama.

She was so furious she felt like her head was going to split open. None of them ever brought her anything but trouble.

Ever since she fell out with Wendy's family, she hadn't known a single day of peace.

Her biological mother was completely useless and only dragged her down.

"Mom, I'm already dealing with a nightmare right now!" Joanna screamed in frustration. "Can you stop creating more problems for mee it's thirty million dollars not three hundred bucks! Do you have any idea what kind of situation I'm in?"

"I know, I know you're struggling too," Sophia cried. "But you're with Mr. Griffith now. With him backing you you can definitely fix this Were.

a family, Jöanna. I'm begging you!"

"Leave me alone!" Joanna snapped. "I'm already losing my mind! Why do you insist

on dragging me down with you?"

"Are you trying to ruin my life?"

Joanna felt like she was backed into a corner. Maxwell was back, but he still hadn't given her the life she dreamed of.

Sophia continued to wail. "Joanna, it's just thirty million! If your brother dies, who's going to protect you?"