"Getting hurt on a construction site? A hundred thousand in compensation, tops. The only reason Stephens Group shelled out that kind of cash is because Logan Stephens has a thing for me. He was trying to get on my family's good side!"
"Logan Stephens?" My father's eyes went wide. "You mean the CEO of Stephens Group? The one who's better looking than a movie star?"
"Stephens Group has operations all over the world. They must be worth billions. And he... has a thing for you?"
My parents stared, stunned speechless for a moment, then broke into beaming smiles, falling over themselves to praise Ethel for being so impressive.
I could only marvel at the absurdity. "Ethel and Mr. Stephens don't have the slightest connection. She has the nerve to say it, and you two actually believe it?"
My mother jumped to Ethel's defense immediately. "Why wouldn't we believe it? She's my own precious daughter. I know her better than anyone. Every time Ethel owed gambling debts, she told me right away. Every cent, accounted for. That proves our Ethel is honest and pure-hearted. She never lies!"