Dad chased after me.

"Alex."

He grabbed my arm, frowning. "Can't you act more mature? Arguing with me in front of everyone—you're just giving people something to laugh about."

"Lucas lost his parents young. We need to look out for him."

"And right now, I have to avoid any conflict of interest. Once I get the Best Entrepreneur award, I'll find a way to make you CEO."

"Come back with me. Apologize to everyone. Tell them you're willing to be Lucas's right-hand man."

I thought he'd changed his mind. I was naive. Another slap in the face.

"Back then, I earned that study abroad spot through my own hard work. You took it and gave it to Lucas—the guy who slept through every class."

"You said it was to avoid conflict of interest."

"You said he was alone and helpless, and I should let him have it."

"You said you'd send me abroad later."

"So what happened?"

I looked him in the eye.

This was nothing new. From childhood to now, it had always been like this.

When I moved from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school—my grades were always at the top. I still couldn't get into the best schools.

Dad said it was to avoid conflict of interest.

Then he pulled strings to get Lucas, who hadn't even met the requirements, into every one of them.

For years, I kept wondering: Was I not good enough? Was that why I couldn't earn recognition?

So I worked harder.

Now I finally understood. No matter what I achieved, in Dad's eyes, I would never measure up to Lucas.

Never measure up to five words: "avoid conflict of interest."

As if I'd exposed the secret he'd buried in his heart, Dad's face twisted with rage. "Alex, if you keep this up, don't ever think about coming back to the company!"

His gaze was cold. Threatening.

"Fine."

This time, I didn't back down. I turned and walked away.

He froze.

His mouth opened like he wanted to say something. Nothing came out.

I walked out of the hotel.

The wind outside cut like his words—straight to the bone.

"Dad."

"Even without you, I can stand on my own."

I took a deep breath and messaged Serena Henson, a junior from the Capital's elite circle: [I heard you have so much money you don't know what to do with it. Interested in investing in me?]

[Sure!]

Serena replied fast: [Meet at the usual place tonight. Let's talk.]

[What kind of stockings do you want me to wear? Black? White? Fishnets?]

I smiled despite myself.

Ever since she found out I was single again, she'd made flirting with me her favorite hobby.

I headed home to pack. The moment I walked in, I saw Mom on the couch.

"Mom, I—"

Before I could finish, she grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at my face.

"Why did you humiliate your father in public? Why do you have to go after Lucas?"

"It's just a CEO position! You're both Gilberts—what difference does it make who sits in that chair?"

So she already knew.

Just as I expected.

No comfort. No warmth.

Just accusations.

I took a deep breath. "You're both Gilberts—so what difference does it make who you call your son?"

"From now on, let Lucas call you Mom and Dad."

I didn't have the energy to fight.

I just said it. Flat. Final.

"You—"

Mom lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. "This is exactly why you can't be CEO. You're immature. You don't respect your elders."

I laughed.

"Mom."

"You think I'm immature? You think I'm disrespectful?"

"Then let me ask you—ever since you brought Lucas home, the good food, the privileges, the opportunities—haven't I given up every single one of them for him?"

"The middle-school placement, the study-abroad slot—you gave them all to Lucas. He even hit someone with his car once, and I took the fall for him."

"In college, to 'avoid suspicion,' you kept me on $300 a month while Lucas got $30,000 in spending money."

"Have I ever disobeyed? Am I still not obedient enough?"

Mom went silent. For once, she had nothing to say.

I didn't wait for an answer. I went back to my room, threw my things into a bag, and headed for the door.

"What's this supposed to mean? You're running away from home?"

Her voice finally came—not an apology. Just anger.

I didn't respond. I just walked out.

"Alex Gilbert!" she shouted after me. "It's not like we banned you from being CEO—why are you making this into such a huge deal?"

"You ungrateful child! If you walk out tonight, don't ever come back!"

"I'll pretend I never gave birth to you!"

Words like that—I'd heard them my whole life. But she was still blood. I always thought if I just tried harder, I'd finally earn their approval. That's why I never left before.

This time, I slammed the door behind me.

The wind outside was freezing. Still warmer than home.

I didn't have a car. Dad said it would "look bad"—people might think he spoiled me. Mom said Lucas didn't have a license yet, and she didn't want him to feel left out.

I'd barely reached the curb when a car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, revealing a pretty face with a hint of baby fat.

Serena.

I got in. "Why are you here? Weren't we meeting at the usual spot?"

"The whole city knows you had a falling-out with your family," she said.

I froze, then pulled out my phone.

Gilbert Group removes biological son, appoints nephew as successor—grand celebration banquet tomorrow, all elite circles invited!

Breaking: Alex Gilbert cuts ties with parents, now left with nothing!

News traveled fast.

My parents had texted too.

Without the Gilbert family, who's even going to recognize your face? Think carefully.

Stop being so selfish. Come back and apologize to your father and Lucas. Say something nice, and they'll forgive you. Otherwise, when you starve out there, no one's coming to collect your body.

I didn't reply. Just smiled.

Starve to death? No one would recognize me?

We'd see about that.

Serena and I walked into a lounge bar. I looked up—and my breath caught.

Lily Galloway. My childhood sweetheart. My ex.

She was curled up in Lucas's arms, a sweet smile on her lips.

"Alex." Serena's voice dripped with disdain. "You're such an idiot. Those two got together while they were studying abroad."

My mind went blank.

A long time ago, my parents had actually told me to give Serena to Lucas. Their reasoning? They were afraid people would say they'd used their power to force Lily into marrying me.

I refused. My father beat me a hundred times for it. I still wouldn't budge.

Then Lily went abroad. Four years of long-distance. I paid for everything—tuition, living expenses, all of it.

The day she came back, she asked to break up.

She cried. "Alex, the pressure from your parents is too much. They'll never accept us. We should end it. I don't want to hold you back."

I tried everything to make her stay.

The money I'd saved wasn't a fortune, but it was enough. Even if we had to start over somewhere else, she wouldn't have to struggle.

She blocked me anyway.

For months after, I drifted through life in a fog, guilt eating me alive. I couldn't give Lily the security she needed. I couldn't keep her.

But the scene in front of me now? A slap to the face.

The moment Lily spotted me, surprise flashed in her eyes and she quickly looked away. But Lucas grabbed her arm and dragged her over.

"Alex." He grinned. "I've been meaning to tell you for a while now, just didn't know how to bring it up. Don't be mad, okay?"

He paused for effect.

"Lily and I are the real deal."

Rage exploded in my chest. My fist was already swinging toward his face when Lily stepped between us.

"Enough, Alex!" She glared at me. "Is this how an older brother acts? You can't just hit Lucas!"

I stood there, trembling. "Why... why would you—"

She was quiet for a few seconds. Then: "Because you're a castaway. Lucas is the one your parents actually care about. The future heir."

That sentence hit like a blade carving out a piece of my heart.

I hurt so much I laughed.

Love. Family. None of it holds up against cold, hard advantage.

Serena started to argue back, but I stopped her. Grabbed her arm. Turned and walked away.

Words were useless now.

The only thing that mattered was proving them wrong—who goes further, who rises higher, who's still standing at the end.

"Alex."

Lucas's voice followed me. "Tomorrow's my inauguration banquet. You'd better be there."

He caught up and handed me an invitation, smirk tugging at his lips.

It clicked.

This wasn't a chance encounter. He'd planned it. Why else would he have an invitation on him?

"Sure." I took it. "I'll be there."

I walked away without looking back, a cold smile forming on my face. Once we were in the car, I turned to Serena. "I need a favor."

"Relax." She patted her chest. "Tomorrow's already handled."

We exchanged a look and smiled.

No words needed. We were on the same page.

The next day, I arrived at the hotel where my father was hosting Lucas's inauguration banquet.

The guests hadn't shown up yet.

When my parents, Lucas, and Lily saw me, their expressions turned ice-cold.

"Hmph." My father's voice dripped with contempt. "Look at how thoughtful Lucas is—he even invited you. And you? All you know how to do is fight over petty jealousy like some lovesick woman."

My mother chimed in. "Apologize to your father and Lucas, and we'll let the past go. This is your last chance. Don't be ungrateful."

They weren't even surprised about Lily and Lucas.

So that's how it was. Back then, when they blocked me from studying abroad—it was never about money. They were clearing the path for Lucas.

"Alex." Lucas's smile was dripping with mockery. "There's no grudge a family can't get over. Just swallow your pride."

Lily nodded beside him. "Being VP was already your parents acknowledging you. You should be grateful."

I listened to their self-righteous bullshit and smiled.

"Who said I came for the banquet?"

My parents froze. Then they snorted, like I'd lost my mind.

That's when the sound of cars flooded in from outside.

"Go."

"Don't worry about this unfilial son. Let's go greet the guests."

Harold snorted heavily, then led the whole family to greet the guests.

All the city's social elites had come. But they all stood at the entrance and didn't walk into the hotel.

Harold was stunned. "What are you all waiting for? Come in!"

The crowd still didn't move.

"They're waiting for me to agree."

I slowly walked to the entrance.