Chapter 5

Seeing that I remained unmoved, Mueller's face showed a trace of annoyance. "Olivia, apologize to me properly right now."

"In the future, when I take over Mom and Dad's fortune, I can give you a little more."

I smiled mockingly. "No need."

Mueller glared at me. "Fine, fine, fine. Don't you dare regret it. Even if you kneel and beg me in the future, I won't show you any mercy!"

I shrugged, not taking it seriously.

But unexpectedly, on SAT day, Mueller locked me in the house.

I pounded on the door. "Mueller, let me out!"

His careless voice came through. "Olivia, I told you studying was useless, but you never listened to me. I had no choice but to lock you at home."

I shouted the housekeeper's name.

Mueller scoffed. "Stop shouting. I sent everyone away. I hid your phone a long time ago too."

I was both shocked and furious, asking in disbelief, "Why won't you let me take the SAT?"

His voice was cold. "Sorry, Olivia. I need to eliminate every opportunity you have to compete with me for the heir position."

"Since my grades aren't good, you shouldn't get to win against me through exams."

I took a deep breath. "Mueller, if you don't open the door right now, we're done being siblings!"

Mueller fell silent for a moment.

When he spoke again, his voice was resolute. "Then let's be done. I'll make you understand the consequences of going against me!"

I closed my eyes, completely disappointed in Mueller.

I wasn't released until the first day of testing was over.

He was triumphant. "Even if you do well, it's useless. I'm the one qualified to inherit the Franklin family. I'm helping you accept your fate sooner!"

I didn't cry or make a scene.

Instead, I lowered my eyes and laughed mockingly.

Mueller probably didn't know that my target was never the SAT—it was Harvard.

And among the conditions for Harvard admission, the SAT was never mandatory.

I'd only wanted to take the SAT to give myself closure after twelve years of hard study.

I just never imagined Mueller would go to such lengths for his own selfish desires.

If I hadn't applied to Harvard early, Mueller would have really succeeded.

I didn't attend the remaining two days of testing. Mueller thought I'd truly accepted my fate.

He came to persuade me again. "Rivers said what happened last time was a misunderstanding. As long as you're willing to be with him, after I take my position, he'll help me maintain my place as the richest."

"After you two get married, just focus on being a good wife and mother."

I looked up and coldly spat out one word: "Scram."

Mueller held a grudge. He picked a time when both Mom and Dad were home and deliberately apologized to me.

"Olivia, I'm sorry. I was just thinking that since you didn't take the SAT, you can't even get into community college. Rivers is a well-known young master in Washington."

"His family's situation isn't much worse than ours. Since he likes you, you should seize the opportunity. I didn't expect you to be so resistant. It's all my fault."

The more he spoke, the more aggrieved his voice became, as if everything were my fault.

Mom and Dad's expressions grew increasingly surprised as he spoke.

Mueller looked determined to succeed. "Olivia, Rivers really likes you. Why don't you give him a try?"

Dad put down his fork, frowning as he interrupted Mueller. "Who told you Olivia can't even get into community college?"

"Don't you know she's already been accepted to Harvard?"

I smiled slightly at Mueller. "Mueller, you didn't know, did you? In our Franklin family, we don't support freeloaders. Only those who get into Harvard are qualified to be the heir."

All color drained from Mueller's face instantly.