He Faked His Death to Test My Mother Chapter 02

He Faked His Death to Test My Mother Chapter 02

“Then go do it!”

I was shaking uncontrollably. I grabbed the old police report and thrust the police report hard against his suit.

“Go down there and apologize to Mom!”

The report hit the ground. His fingers flinched.

Before he could bend down, Vanessa tore it to shreds.

“Nathan, seriously—who’d she pay to make this? It’s laughably fake. The fake death certificate I cooked up for you looked way more legit than this.”

“You liar!” I stared at the paper scraps, eyes red.

Vanessa stepped closer to Nathan and sighed. “So Clara’s faking her death, and now the press is killing Ellis Group. Stock’s tanking. You need to do something, Nathan.”

“You almost had me fooled. This is ridiculous. Elena, get your mom out here. Prove she’s alive, in front of everyone.”

“Clara used to have some sense. What happened to her?”

The dad in front of me was nothing but disappointment.

I remember when I was little, Dad would flip tables for Mom, shutting down rude relatives.

At charity galas, just because someone called her a “country bumpkin,” he’d light up the whole venue for her.

No matter how busy work got, he came home on time, never letting her wait.

I stared at him. I didn’t understand. When did he turn into this?

Vanessa’s eyes glinted with malice. “Everyone’s so obsessed because Elena got the highest SAT score in the country. But what if she didn’t?”

My breath caught.

“I had someone look into it. She hasn’t set foot in a high school for three years. How could she possibly earn the top SAT score nationwide?”

Nathan’s eyes went dark. He stared right through me. “Elena. You cheated.”

“So I guess I have to turn you in myself. Only way to save Ellis Group’s reputation.”

Panic hit me. Getting into a good college was Mom’s dying wish.

“You can’t do that!”

“I’m your father. I can do anything.” He stared at me. “If you don’t want me to, then tell me where your mom is.”

My throat felt scorched. “I told you—she’s in this river. That’s why I’m here fishing every day.”

“You won’t give up until you see proof.” His eyes went cold. He dialed the College Board’s tip line.

“Hello, I’m Nathan Ellis, CEO of Ellis Group, and father of test-taker Elena Ellis. I’m reporting my daughter for cheating on the SAT.”

“For the integrity of the exam, I request that her scores be voided.”

The world went black. In that second, everything collapsed.

Vanessa chuckled. “Clara still not showing? I guess she doesn’t care at all about Elena’s SAT results. Or maybe she thinks Ellis money means college isn’t worth her time.”

Nathan’s eyes went cold. “You’re never stepping foot on a campus. You and your mom will live off me for the rest of your pathetic lives.”

“Starting right now, every drop in stock price—one point, ten points—I’m pinning on you two. Let’s see how long your mom can hide.”

But the reporters didn’t follow his script.

Instead, their instincts kicked in like sharks smelling blood. “Mr. Ellis, is reporting your own daughter for cheating just a way to cover up your wife’s death and the fact that you neglected your kid?”

“People are already boycotting Ellis Group online. Are you going to resign?”

Nathan’s jaw locked. His breathing got heavier—his tell when he was truly furious.

My heart clenched.

Next second, he grabbed my arm, gripped my arm so tightly a sharp ache spread through my bones.

“Let’s go.”