Before long, Vivian's complexion improved significantly, and she became more outgoing.
Even Miranda, who lived next door, noticed that.
She came over and said to me, "You can't spoil Vivian like this. You need to teach her that making money is not easy and how hard work can be. Spend when necessary, but save where you can."
I understood the principle, but seeing Vivian so happy now made me feel much better.
I started to question Miranda's words, but she was my best friend, and she wouldn't steer me wrong. She raised her daughter, Elise, the same way. So, I lowered Vivian's standard of living again.
This continued until her eighteenth birthday celebration when a few friends came over to celebrate. They were shocked to see her in worn-out clothes, her face covered in acne and blackheads, her hair withered and dry from using low-quality shampoo.
Her friends were astonished.
"Vivian, your home is so luxurious, but how come you live like you're poorer than I am?"
"Vivian, it's your coming-of-age ceremony. Why are you dressed like this?"
Miranda quickly covered for her.
"You young ones don't understand. You have to learn to endure hardships to strengthen your character."
After her friends left, Vivian opened the window, climbed onto the balcony, and softly called to me, "Mom..."
I responded casually, then turned around to see her half out the window.
It terrified me. "Get down immediately!"
"Mom, you just don't love me, right? Our family is wealthy, yet you treat me like a pet. You must hate me, so I should leave."
A tear slid down her face, and she jumped without hesitation. I couldn't find my breath, feeling like my neck was being tightly gripped. My mind went blank until the police arrived downstairs after someone called them.
The police questioned me about Vivian's death. I stammered, "I have no idea."
The police didn't mince words.
"You're a CEO, living in such a high-end apartment, yet your daughter has been wearing tattered clothes and even had her sanitary pads rationed."
Feeling as if my backbone had been struck, I wailed uncontrollably.
"I never intended for it to be like this. I never thought it would turn out this way."
At Vivian's funeral, I couldn't stop crying, and Miranda comforted me.