My parents planned to meet my brother at the restaurant.

With a lollipop dangling from his mouth, he slouched carelessly in his chair, exuding a nonchalant attitude.

“Regretting it now, are you? I knew you’d come crawling back. I want an extra ten grand.”

My parents’ faces were icy, their eyes fixed on him as they slowly enunciated each word: “From now on, we’re cutting ties.”

I was startled, glancing at them, thinking they were joking, yet their eyes held a firm resolve.

My brother's smirk froze, shock washing over him as he looked up.

“What?”

Then his expression shifted to feigned realization.

“Oh, I see, you're trying to threaten...