Ramona slowly lifted her head and looked straight at him. "Are you sure about that?"
Arnold had been completely certain.
But in the next instant, the color drained from his face.
"That's... not possible."
He stared at Ramona as if he'd seen a ghost.
After a long beat, he clenched his jaw.
"Fine. If Ramona wants to play, let her play."
She pulled away from my arms and sent a red envelope in a flash.
Sure enough, I drew the winning share again.
"Dad, I want you to hand the Southside land project over to Uncle Arnold."
From an angle only I could see, she flashed me a tiny V-sign.
In that instant, something clicked. My heart lurched.
I nodded.
Arnold let out a shriek.
"The Southside land project is actually mine?!"
"Once I close this deal, I'll be a millionaire! Isabel, Dad, Mom—just sit back and wait for the good life!"
His face was flushed crimson with excitement.
Isabel, Nicholas, and Nanette made no effort to hide their euphoria.
Watching them revel in their petty triumph, all I felt was that the family I'd fought so hard to hold together was nothing but a joke.
Just as despair threatened to swallow me whole, Ramona walked up and stood in front of me.
She spread her arms wide, as though shielding me.
"This round's over. Next round, let my dad send the red envelope first."
Arnold was still riding his high. When he heard her, he agreed without a second thought—clearly convinced I posed no threat whatsoever.
Under my daughter's watchful gaze, I sent the red envelope.
The moment it went through, I realized my hands were trembling.
Across the table, Isabel and her family looked unconcerned. They tapped open the envelope almost simultaneously.
The next second.
I saw it clearly.
Every drop of color bled from their faces.
"How is that possible?!"
