Veronica stood still, her gaze locked on her uncle. Though he was somewhat old-fashioned, he had always prioritized the family's welfare. He rarely spoke without reason.
"What's the meaning of this?" Veronica asked, frowning.
Her uncle shook his head and cast a cold glance at Mike Carter.
"Veronica, Sophia… It's such a pity. The Rivers family has wealth, but we only have you two daughters! Young and beautiful women always attract trouble," he said, stabilizing his emotions before leading them to the villa entrance.
"Do you see that car? The limited edition GTR?" he asked.
Veronica nodded. She was aware of the car's prestige.
Sophia nodded as well, feeling secretly delighted. This was her first time seeing Mike drive, and it turned out to be such a spectacular car.
"Let me explain something about this car," her uncle said, pulling out his phone. On the screen was a group chat filled with messages and photos from a high-profile investment network.
This wasn't your average group sharing sentimental stories or chain messages. Veronica's uncle, a prominent figure in River Valley City, was connected to a legitimate economic team with sound operations—and more importantly, ties to the Miller family.
"This is… the 'Living Like a Tycoon' program?" Veronica leaned closer, her confusion growing.
"Yes!" her uncle confirmed. "Veronica, your expertise is in medicine, so I'll forgive your ignorance. For any program, it's not just about the hosts, actors, or producers. Do you know what's most important?"
Veronica was sharp despite her limited interest in media. "Investors," she answered without hesitation.
"Exactly," her uncle said. "Without investors, there's no show. This program, modeled after a wildly successful Japanese series, is specifically designed for high returns with minimal investment."
He explained how "Living Like a Tycoon" required contestants to spend vast sums of money provided by the show. Each contestant had a budget of at least tens of millions, making it a lucrative investment opportunity.
"I reviewed this project before. Uncle, are you an investor?" Veronica asked.
Her uncle nodded. "Yes. Thanks to the Millers, I was able to invest a million."
For him, a million was a significant amount—nearly his entire fortune. But the potential returns of fifty million made it a risk worth taking. The Millers had invested fifty million themselves, not because they lacked funds but to maintain a profitable collaboration. Participation alone was a guarantee of wealth.
"This isn't about the program's financials," her uncle said, flipping through images in the group chat until he landed on a specific set of photos.
Veronica's expression stiffened. She recognized the car.
The GTR driven by Mike Carter.
"This…" Veronica's voice trailed off as her pupils dilated.
"It's exactly as it seems. Mike's GTR is the same one used in the show. Do you understand now?" her uncle said coldly.
Veronica, brilliant as ever, connected the dots. If Mike was a contestant on the program, then his apparent wealth wasn't his own. The show's funding could explain everything—from his ability to challenge the Huntsmans to his sudden acquisition of luxury.
Her uncle continued, "Chris Miller wasn't wrong. With a word from the Millers, the program could strip Mike of everything. He's just a disposable player—a pawn for entertainment."
The room grew heavy with tension. Veronica felt a mix of anger and confusion. The situation seemed to fit the narrative her uncle presented. But to Mike, the logic was full of holes.
He had helped the Rivers family before joining the program. Yet no one else knew that.
Veronica turned to Mike, her voice calm but probing. "Mike, is the GTR really yours?"
"Yes," Mike replied firmly.
Veronica remained composed, gripping Sophia's arm to stop her from intervening. "Then tell me, Mike—how much did it cost?"
Mike's confidence wavered. "Uh… I don't know."
The Rivers family members collectively gasped, their disbelief palpable.
Veronica shook her head, her faith in Mike shaken. A car enthusiast or owner should at least know the price of such a rare vehicle.
"True colors revealed," her uncle declared triumphantly. "Veronica, as much as you aspire to rise above the Millers, you need to face reality. We're under their shadow. Now, go after Chris Miller and take Sophia with you. Meanwhile, I'll notify the other investors to revoke Mike's participation in the program."
He began typing in the group chat, requesting a collective decision to remove Mike. Just as he was about to finalize the message, his hands froze. They began trembling uncontrollably.
"Uncle, what's wrong?" Veronica asked, alarmed by his reaction.
Unable to respond, her uncle stared at his screen, where a stark notification read:
"James Miller has been removed from the group chat."
James Miller—Chris's father.
Mike finally broke the silence, his tone low but resolute. "I told you. That car is mine."