She sat up in bed, staring at the incoming call on her phone. On a whim, she picked it up. Before she knew it, a video call had started.
"Mom!" Ian's crisp voice came through.
Violette's face lit up at the sight of Ian. "Ian! How did you manage to video call me?"
"I managed to hack into the camp's Wi-Fi and used a burner account," Ian explained with a rare smile on his face. "Mom, is Rita back yet?"
"She's back, but she's out with Uncle Mike. They haven't returned yet," Violette replied gently. "Ian, are you adjusting well over there? Your teacher called me the other day and said you've made some friends."
"Mom, I'm all grown up now. You don't need to worry about me." Ian's tone was mature.
"How can a mother not worry about her child? Even when you grow up, I'll always worry about you." Violette stared at her son's face, not able to get enough of it. "There are still 10 days till I can visit you!"
"Mom, I'll video call you every night, okay?"
"Wouldn't that be against the rules?" Violette worried. "If your teacher found out, wouldn't that be bad?"
"It's fine. My teacher knows I video call you. I managed to do this on my own, and he didn't have any complaints," Ian said proudly.
Violette felt proud but remembered something important. "Ian, you need to call your Uncle Mike later and talk to Rita. Tell her not to think about entering the entertainment industry to make money. I don't lack money and can pay back Elijah on my own. You two should focus on your studies and grow up happily."
Ian replied, "I'll talk to her later."
Violette said, "Okay, I'll have a talk with her, too. But I think she might listen to you more."
Ian said, "Okay, I'll call Uncle Mike now."
"Elijah isn't that bad. It's the woman who's disgusting for using your mom as a model for her surgery..."
"What's her name? I'll teach her a lesson!" Ian demanded.
Mike thought for a moment, "I think her name is... Nora! I don't know her full name, but you can look her up. She's Melinda's cousin."
"Got it." Ian stored the name 'Nora' in his mind, then changed the topic. "Rita, you shouldn't be filming or going on shows anymore. Mom's worried."
Rita frowned, pouting. "I already agreed with Uncle Kylee, I'm supposed to film in a few days! Ian, I'll talk to Mom!"
Ian frowned back. "Why are you not listening to me anymore?" In the past, Rita would always listen to Ian.
"I'm so cute, I should be a star!" Rita said, full of herself, "Uncle Kylee said he'll always be with me, and that I'll be an even bigger star than him! I'll split the money I earn with you, okay?"
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