They Spent $100K on My Brother but Jailed Me for $5K

At the New Year's Eve family gathering, Dad proudly raised his wine glass.

"Let me report some good news to everyone. Ryan just got first place in both the written test and the interview for the civil service exam. He's already in the background check stage."

"Thanks to me having the guts to spend a full hundred grand on prep classes and tutors. From now on, the Gilbert family's got a real backer."

The relatives all chimed in with congratulations. Only my face went pale.

"Where did the family get a hundred thousand dollars? When I asked to borrow thirty grand a year ago, you said you had no savings."

Ryan slammed his hand on the table, his expression smug.

"I told Mom and Dad not to give it to you. So what?"

"Alex, you've been working for years and can't even scrape together thirty grand. And you still have the nerve to mooch off our parents."

"Besides, I spent this money on something that matters. Who knows what you were going to blow yours on."

Mom and Dad both nodded.

"Ryan's right. Money should go where it counts."

"You're a girl—all you care about is eating, drinking, and having fun. How could that be more important than your brother's future?"

I thought of the criminal record I now carried because I couldn't afford a lawyer when I was wrongfully accused. I lowered my head and smiled.

"Right. It's not important anymore."

——

Ryan caught my reaction. Surprise flickered in his eyes before he spoke again, his tone falsely sweet.

"But my sister is pretty impressive too. She works at a big company in Seaside City."

"Hey, you've been there five years now. You must have good news about a promotion or raise to share with everyone, right?"

Every pair of eyes at the table locked onto me, sizing me up with obvious judgment. I took a deep breath.

"No. Actually, I quit. I'm still job hunting."

Mom's frown deepened, disgust flashing across her face. She grabbed my arm like I'd just announced a crisis.

"Alex, I told you to hold onto that job—why didn't you listen! Jobs are impossible to find right now. Quitting over the holidays means losing all that income!"

"Your dad and I are getting old, and our health is failing. In a few years your brother will need money for his wedding. As the eldest, how can you only think about yourself instead of this family?"

"Call your boss right now. Tell him you had a moment of confusion and you can come back immediately."

Dad went further—he kicked the liquor bottle by the table's edge, shattering it. Glass scattered across the floor.

"You damn girl! Making trouble for me on New Year's! Everything I say goes in one ear and out the other, huh?"

"I'm warning you—don't think anyone's going to support you if you don't work. I don't have savings for you to leech off."

"Every penny in this house goes to your brother! Trash like you isn't worthy of spending my money!"

My heart went cold. My nails dug into my palms.

A year and a half ago, the company hit hard times and an executive was brought in to oversee mass layoffs.

I was called into his office for a talk. Midway through, he sat down beside me. His hand landed on my thigh and traced a slow line across it.

"Alex Gilbert. I've reviewed your file. Mediocre education, average performance, no family connections."

"By all rights, you'd be first on the layoff list. But if you're willing to follow my lead, study hard under me, keep me happy—I might consider keeping you around."

Nausea hit me in waves. I wanted to scream, to slap him across the face.

But I thought of my credit card debt. My empty bank account. Rent due next month.

My tears fell inward, and I couldn't say a word.

When I got home, I called my parents.