Family Calls Me Scheming, I Just Want to Chill

Chapter 1

I feared Kenton Hale might change his mind any second, so I quickly pressed the check into my hand and folded it neatly. I had run the numbers. I still needed another 30 million to hit my target budget for a laid-back life. This was nothing short of manna from heaven.

Everyone in the room, who had been waiting to watch me burst into tears and throw a tantrum, froze on the spot. Seth Hale, the second-eldest brother, crossed his arms and watched the spectacle. He clicked his tongue, then leaned toward his father, Leonard Hale, and murmured quietly. "I told you she's deeply scheming. She's only pretending to be thrilled to lull us into complacency. Who knows what mischief she's plotting?"

His mother, Eleanor Hale, frowned and tightened her grip on her prayer beads. She was convinced I planned to take the money to contact powerful connections and come back to get revenge on the Hale family.

I had no spare attention for the elaborate drama unfolding inside their heads. I pulled out my phone and searched for the earliest available flight to Hawaii. There was a first-class departure leaving in three hours. I stood up at once and headed for the door.

"Stop right there! Elaine, don't try to play this cat-and-mouse game! If you dare pull any tricks, I guarantee you will gain absolutely nothing in the capital!" Kenton roared behind me.

Without turning my head, I waved a hand toward him. "Rest assured. Whoever comes crawling back is a puppy. I promise I'll leave the capital today and won't get in the way of your loving family one second longer."

I rushed back to the guest room assigned to me, pulled out the check, and double-checked it over and over. The watermark was authentic, and the stamp was genuine too. Cheerfully, I dragged my suitcase out and began packing my belongings. My mind was filled with Hawaii's sea breeze, chilled tropical desserts, and fresh prawns straight from the ocean.

A flurry of footsteps echoed outside the door. I heard Seth's lowered voice sound from outside the window. "Kenton, she's locked the door from the inside. She must be destroying evidence or contacting associates in there. Should I climb through the window to check?"

Kenton let out a cold huff. "No need. She cannot escape. Those 50 million dollars are merely bait to test her. If she truly dares to take the money and run, I'll make sure she can never get comfortable even in Hawaii."

I rolled my eyes and stuffed several loose T-shirts into the suitcase. These overachievers genuinely suffered from persistent paranoia. I could not even be bothered to brush my teeth twice. Why would I waste energy fighting over their family fortune?

I zipped up my suitcase and brushed dust off my palms. "Hawaii, here I come."