Chapter 1: The Bennett Family’s Offer

The Bennett family, the wealthiest clan for eight generations—each with only one heir—suddenly posted a jaw-dropping recruitment notice:

[High salary for a daughter-in-law. Three million for giving birth to a boy, two million for a girl. Just give birth—the Bennett family can afford it.]

I was secretly over the moon. My chance to strike it rich had finally arrived. I could already picture Mom’s face when I told her. New kitchen, new car, maybe even a trip to Vegas.

First pregnancy: I gave birth to triplet boys. Mrs. Bennett threw a citywide banquet, grinning so wide you could see every tooth in her head.

Second pregnancy: quadruplets—two boys, two girls. Mrs. Bennett smiled, but there was a hint of worry on her face.

Third pregnancy: another set of triplet boys. Mrs. Bennett couldn't even pretend to smile anymore.

From then on, whenever she saw someone, she'd sigh, "Why am I still around?"

On our street, folks still talk about that first Bennett baby bash. The whole neighborhood buzzed for days. Kids ran wild between folding tables stacked with ribs and crab legs, and the smell of hickory smoke drifted all the way to Main Street. People said they hadn't seen that much crab and barbecue in one room since the mayor got reelected. My mom came home with three to-go boxes and a free bottle of chardonnay. And when Mrs. Bennett started looking tired—rumor was, she'd started crunching numbers on the college funds. The family lawyer started wearing stress ball keychains on both wrists.