10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

55  I Want To Fly

Quinn had spent the past week drowning in a search for ways to raise the money she needed.

She had gone through her assets, examined every investment, every property, every opportunity.

No matter how she crunched the numbers, no matter which way she looked at it, the best she could personally muster up was fifty million. Fifty million was impressive, but not enough, not even close.

She kept searching for a way as her thoughts kept returning again and again to that one figure. One hundred and twenty million.

That was her ticket, the amount she needed to make the leap and take what felt like her first real shot at independence. She wanted to step out from the shadow that her family's wealth and influence had always cast over her. She wanted to prove she could stand on her own. But how could she break the chains that bound her to that same family when it was those chains that gave her even that fifty million she had.

What was the use of borrowing from her friends when some didn't have the money and others would use this to get something big out of her.

When she'd met Jenny, before her friend left the city, she'd been tempted to ask but she knew that her friend wouldn't be able to part with that much in cash. Even if she could, it didn't seem like the right place or time to ask.

And this left her with one option. She'd have to use the owner of the chain to break the chain.

She drove down to her family's estate outside the city. She couldn't help the sense of dread that grew in her stomach as she passed through the familiar iron gates.

Growing up in this house, she'd always known her role and limits. She was here again to break through those limits.

She parked in the driveway and walked up to the massive front door, her steps slower than usual.

She couldn't go to her father with this. She had to go to the person most likely to see her side of the story.

As she entered, a butler greeted her, his voice soft and respectful. "Miss Quinn, welcome home."

Quinn nodded, forcing a polite smile. "Is my mother in her study?"

"Yes, ma'am. She's been expecting you." He said, gesturing toward the hallway leading to the door of the study.

Quinn made her way down the corridor, feeling the dread and anticipation building up inside of her.

The door to her mother's was halfway open and the soft murmur of classical music drifted from inside. She knocked gently and waited, her heartbeat loud in her own ears.

"Come in." Her mother's voice floated out.

Quinn opened the door and stepped inside. This was it.

Her mother sat behind her desk, her posture impeccable as always. She looked up, her expression unreadable. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Hello, Mother." Quinn greeted, doing her best to mask her nerves.

Her mother inclined her head, gesturing to the chair opposite her. "Quinn, it's been a while. I take it this isn't a social call?"

Quinn took a deep breath and sat down. "No, it's… it's not."

Her mother just watched her cooly. "Then let's get to the point."

Quinn swallowed, forcing herself to meet her mother's eyes. "I need a loan."

Her mother raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. "A loan?" She repeated, the slightest hint of surprise in her tone. "For what purpose, exactly?"

Quinn hesitated for only a second. "For a few investments. There's a venture… a boutique hotel project I'm interested in. I need two hundred million to secure my place in it."

She needed a hundred and twenty million but why not ask for a round figure. It sounds better.

Her mother stared at her appraisingly with a faint smile that definitely couldn't be called warm. "Two hundred million? That's a rather large sum, Quinn. I wasn't aware you had aspirations in real estate."

"I've always wanted to do something on my own, Mother." Quinn said, feeling a spark of determination burning inside her. "I've always wanted to prove that I can handle more than what I've been allowed to."

Her mother's smile faded, replaced by a look of mild amusement. "And you believe that taking on a massive financial responsibility will prove that?" She shook her head, almost pityingly. "Quinn, you're not ready for this."

The words stung, sharper than Quinn had expected. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "And when will I be ready, Mother? When you decide? When you tell me I'm capable enough?" Her voice cracked slightly, her frustration spilling over.

Her mother's expression hardened, and she leaned forward, her voice cool. "This isn't about capability, Quinn. This is about responsibility. You have no experience managing a business of that scale and you think throwing money at an idea will make it successful. It's reckless."

Quinn felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "How am I supposed to learn, Mother? How am I supposed to grow if I'm never given the chance to try? You and Father have given my brothers everything they needed to succeed, but I've always been kept on the sidelines. Always told to stay in my lane."

Her mother's gaze softened, but only for a moment. "You know as well as I do that the world doesn't operate the same way for women. The stakes are higher and the consequences are harsher. I won't set you up for failure."

"And I appreciate that." Quinn said, her voice trembling. "But I'm tired of sitting down and watching, Mother. I want to do something that's mine. I want to prove, to you, to myself, that I'm capable. Is that so wrong?"

Her mother remained silent, watching her carefully and for a moment, Quinn could feel the small spark disappearing.

But then she pressed on, her voice raw. "Have you ever felt like your whole life was mapped out for you before you even had a say? Like no matter how much you wanted to break free, there was always something holding you back?"

Her mother's expression remained impassive, but Quinn sensed something shift in her posture.

"I don't want to stay in that shell, Mother. I want to fly." She continued, her voice breaking slightly. "And this investment, it's my way of doing that. I need this, not just for the money but for the chance to finally take control of my own life. All I need… is for you to give me the chance."

Silence fell between them as Quinn finished speaking.

Her mother's face was still blank but Quinn thought she saw a flicker of something, maybe pride, maybe regret. It was impossible to tell. She waited, barely daring to breathe as her mother considered her words.

After what felt like an eternity, her mother sighed, folding her hands neatly on the desk. "Two hundred million is… a significant amount."

Quinn's heart leapt and she held her breath.

"I'm not convinced that this project is the right venture for you and I remain skeptical of your readiness." Her mother continued.

"But… I'll give you a loan. It will be zero percent interest, payable over a period of ten years. And Quinn…" She met her daughter's gaze with a steady intensity. "I expect you to pay it back. Every cent."

Relief flooded through Quinn and a wide smile broke across her face despite the tears that still threatened to fall. "Thank you, Mother. Thank you so much. I won't let you down, I promise."

Her mother's expression softened just a fraction. "We'll see. This is your chance, Quinn. Make the most of it."

Quinn stood, resisting the urge to hug her mother. She knew that would be too much, too soon. Instead, she inclined her head, her voice filled with gratitude. "I will. Thank you for believing in me… even just a little."

Her mother said nothing, only nodded, her eyes following Quinn as she made her way out of the study.

She'd never say it but at that moment, she felt proud of her daughter. She'd finally shown the backbone she needed.

She still wasn't sure Quinn was ready to face the world but she certainly was ready to learn from whatever comes next.