Chapter 5

My mother tried to persuade me too. She talked about how hard Celine’s life had been, how everything she had now came from her own effort.

The more she spoke, the more I wanted to laugh.

Then, I placed my suspension notice on the table.

“My life is hard too. The school forced me to suspend my studies. Why don’t you feel sorry for me as well? Why don’t you help me just once?”

My father’s hand trembled as he stared at the paper. Then he slammed the table and stood up.

“So, you stayed away from home because you were angry and now you’ve even stopped going to school? Even if this school isn’t as famous as Northbridge, it’s still one of the best around here!”

“I had no choice. My own parents had money to throw big parties for someone else, but no money to help me in an emergency. I missed too many classes. That’s why I was forced to suspend.”

“I’m really pitiful. Why don’t you help me too?”

I looked straight at my father with mockery.

“I don’t understand how you can give your heart to someone else, but be so cold to your own son.”

“I used to believe you were fair and upright, but after what you did for Celine, I finally saw it. You have double standards.”

“My father… is actually a terrible person.”

I had long known why my father insisted on sending Celine Rivers to Northbridge University.

Next year, he would apply again to become a full professor. He had failed many times before. At a place like Northbridge, full of talent and competition, his qualifications were still not enough. He needed a reputation boost.

And what sounded better than saying that a student he personally sponsored had entered the same university?

At such a critical time, he didn’t dare let me apply to Northbridge. He was afraid people would say he used his position to help his own son. He didn’t want that to hurt his promotion.

But I could have entered on my own.

In his plan, he gained a reputation. Celine gained an opportunity. Only I was left paying the price.

I had no choice but to suspend my studies and work to pay off my debt.

I closed my tired eyes.

“You want to avoid suspicion? Then let’s cut off our relationship completely. From today on, pretend you don’t have a son like me.”