Chapter 87

Upon receiving Aubree’s message, Matilda immediately took leave and rushed home, arriving so early that her family was completely caught off guard.

As she pushed the door open, the first thing she saw was her parents and brother beaming with joy, clutching a bank card as if they’d just won the lottery.

Matilda let out a cold laugh, snatched the bank card from their hands without hesitation, and snapped it in two. Staring at her family, she demanded, “So, without my consent, you impersonated me to slander my friend? Do I even exist as your daughter or your sister in your eyes?”

Matilda’s words made the three of them shrink back in guilt. Ever since Drake got hooked on gambling, her parents had been struggling tirelessly to earn and borrow money, leaving Matilda to handle all the family affairs, big or small.

The three members of the Diaz family undoubtedly felt guilty towards her. Previously, to appear more intimidating, Matilda changed her name and cut her hair short.

Her brother kept breaking his promises to gamble, yet she never gave up on this family. Even as her parents wept and pleaded, they still spoiled him, but she kept trying to pull them all out of the quicksand.

But this time, it was like a cold wave washed over her. She’d never felt so betrayed.

She was already more than capable of making serious money, but her parents still chose to abandon her without hesitation for the hefty bribe Carmen offered.

They never once considered what she’d have to endure afterward, nor did they care what would become of her. Their only concern was that their precious son could get out of debt, and even walk away with a massive windfall to boot.

Drake winced as he looked at the broken bank card in his sister’s hand, his face twisting in visible pain. “Matilda, let’s talk this through. Don’t waste all that money!”

Truman scowled and said sternly, “Matilda, you’ve gone too far this time.”

Shirley said hesitantly, “Matilda, how could Aubree ever be as important as your own brother?”

“No,” Matilda said firmly, “I’m doing this for myself.”

Matilda’s deadly serious tone made her family instinctively recoil.

She said, “I never did well in school, but as you all know, I recently became a coach and led my team to a championship, earning over 3 million in prize money. Now, I’m officially the head coach of God’s Fury, with a six-figure monthly salary, plus a share of the prize money from every tournament we win.”

Matilda waved the snapped bank card in her hand. “So, do you want this one-time payment, or do you want me to keep bringing in steady money for the family?”

“Six… six figures?” Truman gasped, blurting out, “Holy cow! That’s more than I’ve made in my entire working life!”

Drake never expected his sister to have such unexpected luck. While their parents only understood basic salaries and bonuses, he knew exactly how much under-the-table income this esports career could really bring.

Shirley slapped her chest in dismay and said, “Oh no, we’ve really messed up now!”

If Matilda’s sternness earlier was the stick, then her offer of steady income just now was the carrot.

Matilda employed the carrot-and-stick approach, a tactic Aubree had suggested, and, to her surprise, it worked like a charm. Matilda raised her eyebrow slightly, suppressing a triumphant smile and affecting a serious tone. “Here’s the deal,” she said, “If you record a video together, admit what you did, explain exactly how you did it, and apologize, then I’ll let it go.”

Truman slapped his thigh impatiently and urged, “What are we waiting for? Drake, hurry up and get your phone!” He was so eager, he almost wished he could turn into a phone himself.

Drake hastily fished his phone out of his pocket.

Unnoticed by everyone, Matilda allowed herself a small, triumphant smile. ‘Nailed it!’ she thought.

The moment the video went live, everything clicked into place. It all started with Carmen. This was nothing but a shameless smear campaign to whitewash herself by framing someone else.

Although the Diaz family didn’t go into detail about Carmen bribing them, anyone with half a brain could connect the dots—the Wilson family was obviously behind it. Otherwise, they would not smear Aubree instead of supporting her.

Now even Alice’s accusations about Aubree’s “moral corruption” were being called into question. People were starting to wonder if those claims were just part of a smear campaign.

The counterattack turned out to be surprisingly effective, largely thanks to Emery’s public statement.

Aubree smiled faintly. ‘If Emery wants to make these self-serving gestures, what does that have to do with me?’ she thought.

She had no time for this.

**

In Odionland, Bowen, dressed in crisp athletic wear, assumed a textbook-perfect golf stance. His back muscles tensed as he focused, and with a smooth, powerful swing, he made a hole in one.