My sister laughed as I packed my bag, “No ticket for you!” and family left for her Miami wedding…
Building an Empire and Family Deception
When my father showed an unexpected interest in my future during dinner one evening, it caught me off guard.
“Patricia, what are you planning to do after you graduate?” he asked.
He was likely prompted by the graduation ceremony invitation he had seen.
“It’s already been arranged,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
In truth, I had secured a position at an investment advisory firm, thanks to David’s initiative to inject new life into his company.
“Oh, where at?” My father inquired, his curiosity momentarily peaked.
“Nova Quantum Capital,” I responded.
He tilted his head. “What’s that? Never heard of it.”
“It’s an investment advisory firm. I’ll be working under the CEO, David Jones.”
“Uh, some small company then,” he dismissed, returning to his meal.
Scott, overhearing our conversation, chuckled. “New employees have a tough. You didn’t even go to college.”
“You can still handle the housework as usual, right?”
His condescending tone made me quietly sigh. Unbeknownst to them, Nova Quantum Capital was one of the fastest growing investment firms.
Yet, their only concern was whether I would continue to manage the household caregiving and pet care tasks as I always had.
That night, as I read investment books in my grandmother’s room, she whispered, “I read about your company in the newspaper.”
“It’s an impressive company, isn’t it?” Tears welled up in my eyes.
Among my family, only my grandmother truly recognized and supported who I was.
By that time, I had already begun laying the groundwork for my venture.
It was a new investment platform utilizing AI technology to democratize access to investment opportunities.
This was my way of realizing my mother’s vision with the latest technology, feeling deeply that it was my mission.
“Patricia, you have talent. I hope you continue to energize this industry.” David had always encouraged me.
His support was instrumental as I developed an AI powered investment analysis system.
I also introduced new financial products using blockchain technology at his company.
Each project I launched was a success. Industry papers began calling me the youngest investment prodigy.
On my 22nd birthday, I founded Horizon Investment Technologies, a name chosen to symbolize a forward-looking vision.
David warmly supported my independence, saying, “You’ll surely carve out a new era.”
The funding for the venture came from my previous investment profits.
My departure from Nova Quantum Capital to start my own company made headlines in the financial industry.
At the press conference announcing the launch of Horizon, a reporter questioned my youth.
I smiled and replied, “Age is just a number.”
“What matters is how much you can contribute to society and I plan to demonstrate that through numbers.”
This response was featured on several economic TV shows.
Despite this, my family remained in the dark about my achievements.
My father and brother, uninterested in economic news, still thought I worked as an ordinary employee in a nondescript company.
“Patricia, what’s for dinner tonight?” was the usual conversation at home.
Only my grandmother watched over me, recognizing the light in me that was akin to my mother’s.
A year after establishing my company, my AI investment system revolutionized the market.
It lowered barriers for individual investors and set new standards for socially responsible investing, praised by economic magazines.
As my company rapidly expanded, we surpassed 200 employees and our managed assets broke through $4 million.
One morning, Scott burst into the house, excited.
But the usual domestic expectations continued to dominate their view of my role in the family.
They were oblivious to the strides I was making in the financial world.
Scott gathered us all in the living room with an air of importance. “I have a big announcement,” he declared, capturing everyone’s attention.
“I’m engaged to Nancy,” he revealed, his voice filled with pride.
Nancy was the woman he had been dating for the last 8 months, a relationship sparked at a mixer.
Her credentials, working for a major pharmaceutical company, and having a doctor for a father had left a strong impression on him.
Feeling the need to impress Nancy, Scott had started weaving a web of lies.
“Actually, I’m an executive at a big company,” he had claimed initially.
As their relationship developed, so did the scale of his fabrications.
“Our company’s sales this quarter are the highest ever. Next month, I’m off to New Zealand to set up a new branch.”
“I manage over 200 people, so my schedule is just packed,” he boasted.
In reality, he was merely a low-ranking salesperson at a small company, not particularly committed to his job.
Yet in NY’s presence, he transformed into a high-flying executive.
He indulged her with visits to upscale restaurants and lavish gifts, all funded by consumer loans.
“Scott is really amazing,” Nancy had remarked, completely taken in by his charade.
“Actually, I’ve just been promoted to vice president,” Scott continued to pile on the falsehoods.
“I’m thinking of buying an apartment. My family has been in business for generations.”
As an executive at Nova Quantum Capital, I was well-versed in the pharmaceutical industry.
I knew all about NY’s company and her father’s reputation.
However, I chose to remain silent about my brother’s deception.
I knew that the truth would inevitably surface, likely sooner than he anticipated.
