[We agreed on one month. It's been six. If you have money to spend, you have money to pay me back.]
[Don't make me forget we're family.]
His response was a single sticker: "Heh heh."
Then came a voice message. Sixty seconds long.
[Everyone, listen up! This is my loaded cousin—worth millions—and she's threatening her own family over a measly $50,000!]
[Sis, you're really something. If you're not afraid of being the family villain, come and get your money. I've got nothing.]
[Go ahead and sue me! Let's see what the court says. Let's see how our relatives talk about you behind your back!]
Laughter erupted in the background of the recording. A whole crowd, cackling.
A chill ran through me.
This family's values, I thought, are rotten straight down to the roots.
Since he had no shame, I saw no reason to spare his dignity.
This wasn't just about fifty thousand dollars. It was the test Grandpa had laid out before he died.
The old neighborhood was slated for demolition soon. Under the compensation policy, Grandpa's house qualified for eight replacement homes.
He'd transferred the property into my name and left a notarized will—kept secret from everyone else.