Chapter 1Blood and Bureaucracy

The year I got an interview with a Fortune 500 tech giant, a new requirement was suddenly added: a perfect score on the English proficiency exam.

I scored 699 out of 700. I was rejected.

A year later, my adopted sister, Sophie, got the job.

At her celebration dinner, Uncle Bob slapped my dad on the back and laughed.

"Still the doting father, aren't you, Walter? You knew Sophie didn't have the scores, so you just scrapped the requirement entirely."

I forced a smile.

"No way, Uncle Bob. When I got a 699 last year, Dad didn't pull any strings. Sophie got in on her own merit."

"Impossible," Bob slurred, drunk on expensive wine. "Last year, your dad was the one who demanded the requirement be added in the first place."

I stared at my father in shock.

He coughed awkwardly.

"We're father and daughter. I had to avoid the appearance of nepotism. Sophie is adopted; if she didn't get in, people would say we treat her like an outsider. Besides, she worked hard. She deserves a good result."

My smile turned bitter.

Fine.

If you want to avoid nepotism, Dad...

Then when I audit your taxes at the end of the year, I won't show any mercy either.

* * *

The dinner table fell silent.

Uncle Bob, realizing he'd said too much, tried to backtrack.

"I'm just drunk, honey. Don't take it to heart."

I pushed his hand away and stared at my father at the head of the table.

"So, the new rule last year... you really added it."

Dad stayed silent.

Mom tugged on my sleeve. "Don't fight with your father."

I shook her off.

"Why?! I got a 699! You set the bar at 700 just to keep me out? Do you hate me that much?"

"I told you, I had to avoid nepotism! You're my biological daughter! If you got in, what would people think?"

I looked at him in disbelief.

"Dad, avoiding nepotism means not using your power to give family an unfair advantage! If I wasn't good enough, fine. But I was top of the class in the written exam and the interview! What was there to avoid?"

"But Sophie didn't even break 600, and you just deleted the rule for her? Who's the one benefiting from nepotism here?!"

Smash!

A glass shattered against my forehead.

Dad stood up, furious. "You think you're so smart now, don't you?"

Guests rushed to hold us back.

Sophie's eyes were red. "Sis, don't make Dad angry! Apologize!"

"Look at Sophie, then look at yourself!" Dad roared. "She worked hard for three months! Why shouldn't she get a break? Everyone knows she's the daughter of my old war buddy. If I don't help her, people will say the White family mistreats outsiders!"

"Why can't you think about the family for once instead of your own selfish interests?"

"Selfish interests?"

I laughed.

"Dad, I prepared for a whole year. Who gave me a break?"

He froze.

I smiled bitterly.

"Do you know that because you blocked me, my boyfriend and I broke up?"

Dad frowned.

"We dated for three years. We planned to meet the parents the day I got the offer. But he got in, and I didn't. We were going to be thousands of miles apart. We broke up."

"Are you happy now, Dad?"

I threw my glass on the floor. Shards flew.

Sophie threw herself in front of Dad. "Sis, stop it!"

Mom tried to pull me away.

I just stared at him with red eyes.

Sophie suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Sis, I won't take the job. I'll quit. Please don't blame Dad! I'm sorry! I'll beg you!"

She slammed her head on the floor.

Dad grabbed her. "Why should you quit?! You're taking it! You worked for it! Why should her tantrum ruin your future?"

"No, Dad, I can't let this family fall apart because of me!"

My parents looked at her with heartache.

Then Dad turned to me.

"Look how sensible Sophie is. Look at you! You don't understand even the basics of family. How can your mother and I rely on you in the future?"

"Rely on me?"

I laughed.

"Since Sophie is so much better, why rely on me at all? From now on, let her be your daughter."

I slammed the door and left.