Chapter 4

From that day on, I poured all my energy into my studies. I got a full ride to Wharton Business School and graduated at the top of my class.

After entering the financial corporate sector, my talent was quickly recognized. Within a few short years, I was promoted rapidly, eventually landing the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a multi-billion-dollar global conglomerate.

Near the end of the year, my company was evaluating investment projects in rural areas.

I rode back to my hometown in a luxury chauffeured Cadillac Escalade, escorted by our corporate security team.

When we entered the town, I wanted to surprise Mrs. Gable, so I asked the security guards to wait at the edge of the neighborhood.

As I walked past my old house, I heard loud music and saw two giant, tacky vinyl banners hanging across the front garage.

Celebrating the Upcoming Marriage of Our Daughter Brooke to the CFO of Vance Enterprises, Derek!

Congratulations to Our Son Austin for Winning the Million-Dollar Lottery and Buying a Brand-New Rolls-Royce!

Under the banners, Austin and Brooke were laughing and dancing.

Through Mrs. Gable, I had heard updates about them over the years.

Austin had dropped out of high school, got arrested for grand theft, and spent a few years in prison.

Brooke had drifted through shady crowds, worked at cheap bars, and was currently unemployed, living off our parents.

At that moment, Uncle Ted walked up to the house carrying expensive gifts, his face covered in a fake grin.

"Robert, Helen, you two are so blessed! Your son won a million dollars, and your daughter is marrying a CFO! You’ve hit the jackpot!"

Robert and Helen couldn't stop grinning.

But I frowned.

Brooke was marrying the CFO of Vance Enterprises? I was the CFO of Vance Enterprises. How did I not know about this?

I pulled out my phone, called my executive assistant, and gave her the name "Derek."

Within two minutes, she called back.

"Chloe, HR confirmed we had a security guard named Derek. He was fired last month for stealing company laptops. He was never an executive."

I stepped out of the shadow of the street, walking toward the gate of their yard.

Inside, the four of them were huddled together, looking like a perfect, happy family.

Robert draped his arm around Austin’s shoulder, pointing at the rented Rolls-Royce parked in the driveway, bragging to the neighbors.

"See? My boy didn't need college to be successful! He won the lottery and bought a Rolls-Royce! Unlike some 'intellectuals' who think they're better than everyone!"

"And our Brooke brought home a CFO! We are officially high society now! She really is our little princess!"

Helen squeezed Brooke's hand, proudly holding up a framed engagement photo. "Having these two children is the greatest blessing of our lives!"

The guests clapped and showered them with praise, calling them master educators who raised a golden boy and girl.

The yard was filled with laughter and warmth. Standing alone outside the gate, I felt like a ghost.

I looked down, preparing to walk away quietly.

But Brooke's sharp eyes caught me. She gasped loudly. "Chloe? What are you doing here?"

Instantly, all eyes turned to me.

Austin frowned. When he saw the chauffeured Escalade parked down the street, he let out a mocking laugh.

"Look who it is! Couldn't make it in the big city, huh? Heard we got rich and came back to beg for scraps, didn't you?"

"I mean, you left so dramatically back then, but you come back riding in a cheap rental SUV?"

Robert and Helen looked at the Escalade and sneered.

"Coming back in a cheap car like that... thank god we cut ties with you years ago, otherwise we'd be embarrassed to death!" Robert scoffed.

A cheap car?

I looked at the high-end, custom-armored Escalade and almost laughed out loud.

The guests began whispering among themselves.

"Is that Chloe? The ungrateful brat who abandoned her family over a car seat?"

"Showing up to crash a party in a rental SUV... how shameless!"

"What a pathetic snob. What's the point of getting good grades if you're just a loser in the end?"

I clenched my fists. I didn't want to deal with this drama. I turned to leave.

But Austin blocked my path. He parted his legs wide, pointing to the ground between them, and sneered, "You always wanted a seat in a nice car, didn't you? Tell you what, crawl between my legs, and I'll let you sit in my Rolls-Royce for five minutes."

"A broke loser like you probably hasn't even smelled a luxury car before!"

The crowd erupted into roaring laughter.

Robert and Helen looked at me with pure disgust.

"Today is a celebration for my successful children! A broke, ungrateful leech like you doesn't belong here!" Robert barked.

"Get lost! You make me sick!" Robert grabbed my shoulder, violently shoving me backward.

I stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

Finally, my patience snapped. I reached into my coat, pulled out my official corporate executive badge, and slammed it right in front of his face.

"You think I'm broke? Open your blind eyes and look at this!"

Seeing the words Chief Financial Officer stamped in gold on the badge, Robert’s face instantly went pale.

The neighbors and relatives behind him gasped in shock.

But then, a sneering, arrogant voice broke the silence.