The Richest Man in Metropolis is My Backer by Dream Searcher

I sincerely admired Soren. I just wanted his life to keep improving, I didn’t want anyone or anything to stain it- including myself

That was why I needed this ambiguity. As long as I could tell myself we were “just friends,” I could live with it

Soren and Soleil had already started eating,

“So, how’s the family issue?” Soren asked

“It’s all settled. My deadbeat dad was arrested after I presented a mountain of irrefutable evidence. I consulted a lawyer too, so I knew he’d be in jail for years,” I replied.

If the IRS decided to punish him severely for his tax evasion, he’d be in debt for the rest of his life. There was no coming back from that.

“Your mental fortitude is astounding,” Soren said. “Your own father was plotting against you, yet instead of throwing a tantrum, you calmly countered and destroyed him in such a short amount of time.”

“There was no point in throwing tantrums. He divorced my mom when I was a kid–that was when I first saw him for who he really was,” I replied. “I spent years plotting our revenge. If he hadn’t fired the first shot, I wouldn’t have had the opening ”

nodded–whether in approval or surprise, I couldn’t

like war,”

“Um… Do I sound vindictive? Machiavellian? Cold and manipulative? I know he’s my dad. And, well, I did strike

interjected. “Being a good person doesn’t mean being a doormat and letting everyone take advantage of you!”

It was always a reaction. They treated you like a pariah and

relaxed a little and

lips. “Don’t forget–your father committed actual crimes in the eyes of the law. He hurt this country and its people. The way I see it, you weighed the country’s interests against your own father’s. What you did was patriotic, selfless,

a heroine, Tay–Tay!” Soleil raised her glass.

masters of emotional appeal,” I quipped.

societies worldwide. We face more systemic hurdles and discrimination, and

They didn’t just fail to protect you-

your quick wits, bravery, and determination, you would’ve been done for a long time ago. None

She had spoken the words right out of my

still have my grandmother and maternal