Chapter 6

From that day on, I completely changed.

I no longer showed any emotion regarding my father's neglect or Leo's favoritism.

I became silent and focused, with a clear goal.

I put away all my leisure books. My desk piled high with thick workbooks and military academy recruitment brochures.

My desk lamp often burned late into the night.

My grades soared at an astonishing speed, jumping from mid-class to the top ranks of my grade, eventually settling at the very top.

Dad noticed the change.

Amidst his surprise, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, even feeling a sense of "I knew it."

He believed that his previous neglect, and the act of funneling all resources and attention to Leo, had finally spurred my competitive spirit.

Making me turn from my misguided path and realize I needed to strive for success.

He was very pleased.

At the dinner table, Dad began to casually bring up company matters.

He even proactively asked for my opinion on certain business cases.

Though he didn't explicitly say it, his intention was clear.

He had reconsidered me as a potential successor.

I hadn't expected this subtle shift to trigger Michelle's most sensitive nerves.

She had painstakingly worked to establish herself in this family, finally succeeding in getting Dad to pour all his efforts into her son.

With victory seemingly in sight, she wouldn't allow me to re-enter the race.

My important study materials would mysteriously disappear, only for me to find them later in the trash can.

The night before my college entrance exams, the air conditioner in my room conveniently broke.

Its incessant buzzing made sleep impossible, and the repairman was unreachable.

Once, the milk she brought me tasted off.

I didn't pretend not to notice; I quietly got up and poured it down the drain.

I calmly avoided all these petty tricks.

I didn't tell Dad, not out of forbearance, but purely because I felt it was a waste of time.

My goal was higher and further, and I had no interest in participating in such domestic squabbles.

Until one day, I intercepted a recommendation letter Michelle had altered, mimicking Dad's handwriting.

The person recommended to study at a top business school abroad had been changed from me to Leo.

I didn't go to Dad to cry about it. Instead, I directly confronted Michelle with the recommendation letter.

Michelle's face instantly went ashen, but she tried to appear calm:

"Skylar, what are you doing with that?"

"Michelle," I said calmly,

"You don't need to do these useless things anymore."

"I have no interest in Dad's company; I won't compete with Leo for anything."