Chapter 5

I immediately looked at my mother. She lowered her head guiltily, avoiding eye contact with me, but forcefully pulled me to my seat. Neither of us spoke; the air grew heavy.

Scarlett stood up to smooth things over, "Helena, Professor Clarkson helped me, but she didn't mean to hurt you. The culprit isn't the teacher, it's me. I'm sorry."

She picked up her wine glass, about to drink. But my dad stopped her.

He looked at me with exasperation, "Look how sensible Scarlett is. Unlike you, always throwing tantrums. Let it go this time, but you should help Scarlett more in the future. She comes from a small town and isn't quite used to life here yet."

My mother also chimed in, telling me how hard she'd worked, how she'd gotten to where she was today entirely through her own efforts. I listened and smiled. I placed my leave of absence certificate in front of them.

"I've had a tough time too. The school forced me to take a leave of absence. Could you please have pity on me and help me out?"

My dad's hand trembled as he pointed at the leave of absence certificate, slamming his fist on the table in anger, "You threw a tantrum and wouldn't come home, fine, but now you're not even going to school? This school, even if it's not as good as Scotland University, is still one of the top universities in the country!"

"I had no choice. My parents have money to throw banquets for other people's college admissions, but not enough to borrow money for me. I've missed too many classes, so I had to take a leave of absence. I'm so pitiful, why don't you help me?"

I looked at my dad with sarcasm, "I just don't understand. You can be so kind and noble with a stranger, yet you can be so heartless to your own daughter. I used to think my dad was upright and honest, but after seeing what you did for Scarlett, I realized it's all double standards. My dad is a terrible person."

I had long understood why my dad insisted on Scarlett getting into Scotland University.

Next year he would be applying for full professorship again. He had failed many times already. At Scotland University, where talent abounded, his qualifications weren't enough compared to others, so he wanted to build momentum for himself.

What could be more inspiring than a student he sponsored getting into the university where he sponsor them? At this crucial moment, he didn’t dare let me get into Scotland University, afraid he would accuse me of using connections and it would affect his promotion. But I could have gotten in on my own efforts.

In this scheme, he gained fame, while Scarlett gained profit. Only I was manipulated like a fool. Now I could only suspend my studies to pay off my debts.

I closed my eyes wearily, "If you want to avoid suspicion, then sever all ties completely. From today onwards, pretend I don't exist as your daughter."