Reborn, I Abandoned My Gold-Digging Son

Chapter 10

After that, I hung up the phone.

I thought he would back down.

But a month later, I received a court summons.

My husband and I had to go back, or else all our accounts would be frozen.

James was much fatter than before, a look he had in our previous life after a few more years.

Because the mortgage pressure was too high, and housing prices dropped sharply, he felt all his efforts were in vain.

He started to give up, indulging in food and drink daily.

The trial started quickly, and he cried bitterly in court.

Until I showed the records of transfers since college, he was speechless.

He got furious, "So you planned this all along, collecting evidence for years just for today."

"I'm telling you, this isn't over! You owe me for life!"

In the end, since he insisted on settling, the judge ordered him to pay me fifty thousand dollars.

The judgment was made, and as I left the court, I got hit by a car.

In my haze, I saw a familiar face.

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my husband's worried face.

"Finally, you're awake. It's a good thing I waited at the door as you asked."

"I didn't expect that bastard really wanted us dead!"

"Don't worry, I recorded it, and the car had a dashcam. They won't get away."

That's when I learned the driver was Lila's brother.

We reported it to the police.

I initially thought it was a conspiracy between our son and Lila's family.

To murder us and inherit our assets.

But after the police investigated, they found it was a planned gang operation.

James was also a victim.

It turned out that the whole family were habitual criminals, targeting families with some money but honest parents.

They would send Lila to seduce the son, conning money and meals.

Later, they would scam for houses and bride prices. The house James bought was already under Lila's brother's name without his knowledge.

The child was fake, and if they saw more profit, they'd steal a child.

Lila's mom used to do this.

She was a notorious child trafficker.

Once they felt all the money was squeezed out, they'd sell the child.

James had been deceived as well.

This family was notorious for targeting families with some wealth but honest parents. They used Lila to ensnare their sons, initially tricking them out of money and meals, and later, for homes and dowries. The house James purchased was, without his knowledge, registered under Lila's brother's name. Even the child was not real. If they saw potential gain, they would go as far as to kidnap a child. Lila's mother was infamous for such crimes as a human trafficker.

Once they believed they had extracted all possible funds, they would sell the child. However, they did not anticipate our willingness to disown our son. Infuriated, they devised a reckless plan, but were ultimately apprehended. They had already devastated three families, each ending in tragedy.

I contacted the remaining victims, and together we took this family to court.

We chose not to pursue the fifty thousand dollars our son lost, as the value of the house he bought had already decreased. Still, he insisted on meeting us at the bank to return the money.

“Mom, Dad, I was wrong. You've always had my best interests at heart. This is my way of showing respect. Once I reclaim the house, I'll have it registered under your names. From now on, you'll have a say in my choice of wife. If you disapprove, I won't proceed. I’ll also support you in retirement, sending you money monthly.”

I shook my head. “Since you returned the money, you owe us nothing. You don’t need to worry about our retirement. We’ll manage it ourselves. Your household registration has been transferred; from now on, you are responsible for your own life.”

Just then, a car pulled up beside us. Ethan rolled down the window. “Godfather, Godmother, let’s go. I’ve booked a restaurant.” Seeing his pale face, my husband and I got into the car.

Two years later, I stumbled upon an online news article about someone who had committed suicide due to overwhelming mortgage debt and declining property values. My heart skipped a beat, but I knew James wouldn’t do that. Self-centered individuals usually value their lives too much.

That afternoon, I went to the mall and saw a homeless man at the entrance. When he noticed me, he quickly turned away. I pretended not to see and walked on. The bond we once shared as mother and son was truly severed.

My husband and I found a lovely retirement community. We'll move there in a few years. Ethan promised he would visit us often. I cheerfully agreed. Although we lost our original families, we now consider each other as family.