Revealing the Suspicion in My Family

At the banquet celebrating the college admission of a student my dad had sponsored, a middle-aged lady, slightly drunk, let slip the secret.

It's all because of Professor Murphy's doing. Even though Scarlett was nine points short, he still managed to get her into Scotland University.

I thought she was just joking, "Maam, my dad is an upright man. He wouldn't help me even if I was just one point short. Why would he help others? Scarlett got in on her own efforts."

Seeing my disbelief, the middle-aged lady became anxious, ignoring her daughter who was desperately trying to pull her away.

"How could it not be? Scarlett scored 679, nine points short of the math major's cutoff. Professor Murphy even said he'd take her on as a graduate student. Aren't you Professor Murphy's daughter? Why didn't you go to Scotland University?"

I slowly turned to look at my parents. My mom seemed a little guilty.

"Helena, Scarlett's family isn't well-off. She wouldn't be able to handle not getting into Scotland University. Meanwhile, you can't. We need to avoid suspicion."

Tears streamed down my moms face, impossible to wipe away.

"I understand now. So, parents can't be involved in my future. Then I won't be your daughter anymore.

That way, you won't have to go through all that trouble avoiding suspicion."

I couldn't bear to stay here even a second longer. I turned to leave.

I was immediately scolded by my dad, "Scarlett will be my student in the future. You, as my daughter, are leaving now. Doesn't that mean you're dissatisfied with her? Do you know how much this will affect her reputation?"

I looked at my dad in disbelief. He hadn't listened to me at all, or rather, he didn't care at all. He was only afraid that my departure would negatively impact the students he was sponsoring.

My mom came over to pull me away. "Leaving halfway through the meal? Where did your manners go? Even if it's a huge deal today, you should wait until the meal is over!"

Someone appeared out of nowhere and forced me back into my seat. The suppressed anger could no longer be contained.

I turned and overturned the entire table. The crashing sound drowned out all the noise.

I stared straight at my dad. "She was nine points short and you went to great lengths to get her into Scotland University. What about me? I was only one point short back then. Fine, I'm not as good as her, I can still get into Scotland University through graduate school."

"I got the highest score in the written exam, I was the best among those who made it to the interview stage and I won the most awards. But my chosen graduate advisor told me you don't want me to go to Scotland University. Tell me, why are you doing this to me?"

I completely lost control of my emotions. Tears and snot blurred my vision. I looked really awful.

Suddenly a slap landed perfectly on my face. My head tilted to one side.

"This is outrageous! Apologize to Scarlett right now!"

Scarlett's mother slapped her thigh and shouted, "Even if Professor Murphy paid for this graduation banquet, don't take it out on the food!"

I just sneered, "I failed in my business and owed you money. I asked you for a loan and you said you didn't have any. So all the money went to this."

I never held a graduation banquet back then, saying it was too ostentatious. But they specially prepared an 88-table banquet for outsiders back home to make a grand impression. All of it just for Scarlett Warner.

Since you care about her so much, then let her be your daughter. From now on, unless it's a matter of life and death, don't contact me again! I pushed them aside and strode away.

Dad didn't expect me to be so disrespectful; his face turned ashen with anger.

The phone kept ringing the whole way home; I couldn't keep up with the calls, so I simply turned off my phone. I bought the next available flight home. I only turned my phone back on when I got home.

Countless calls and messages almost crashed my phone.

The first message I saw was from Mom.

[You really went too far today. We raised her like our own daughter. You have no idea how hard she's been through. Is it wrong for us to want her to have a better life?]

Scrolling down, I saw Dad's message.

[Scarlett is different from you. She's sensitive and sees Scotland University as her life's goal. She almost committed suicide after learning she wouldn't get in. I can't just ignore her. You made such a scene today, how can she face anyone? Apologize to her right now!]

I didn't read the rest and deleted it all.

A phone call came in. I meant to reject it, but my hand slipped and I answered.

Helena, your mother said you're cutting ties with the family?

It was my second uncle, Brian.

Yes.

It's not that I'm criticizing you, but you're heartless. Your parents worked so hard to raise you and you don't want them anymore?

He went on and on about how hard my parents had worked.

Your dad just felt sorry for that the student he was sponsoring and wanted to help her out. There's no need to go to the point of disowning your parents, is there?

I waited for him to finish, quietly watching the city lights. I didn't speak and my uncle's voice gradually faded.

Uncle, Ive always wanted to go to Scotland University.

We all know that

I interrupted him, continuing, Back then, I missed the cutoff score by one point on the college entrance exam. I begged Dad for a favor. After all, hes worked at Scotland University his whole life; helping me out shouldnt be a problem. He said he despises people who use connections.

Uncle Brian fell silent. I didnt give him a chance to explain.

But Scarlett got in, even though she was nine points short. For me, its about despising people who use connections, but its the same for others. Uncle, Im his daughter, so I need to avoid suspicion, but dont the students he sponsors need to do the same thing?

Thats a real double standard, I said sarcastically.

Dad sponsored more than one student, but in terms of the level of investment and effort, I was always behind them. For them, my dad was a qualified teacher, the respected Professor Murphy. But for me, hes not even a qualified dad.

A persons time was limited; if it was given to them, there was really not much left for me.

My uncle stammered in defense, "Your dad was just doing a good deed. There's no need for you two to argue about this."

I had a terrible headache hearing that, "Uncle, I passed the entrance exam for Scotland University's graduate program last year and my interview went very well. I was practically guaranteed admission. But I didn't get in. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because my dad went to someone to prevent me from getting in. He thought if I got into Scotland University, people would say I got in through connections. Scarlett was directly selected as his graduate student. Isn't that ridiculous?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone. After a long while, my uncle's voice finally came through.

"Try to understand your dad. He's a big professor. If a student he sponsors can't even get into the university his sponsor is in, he'll lose face."

I snapped. "Am I not giving them enough face? I've always been number one since I was little, winning awards here and there. Why can't I go to my favorite school just to avoid suspicion? And why should your child suffer for the sake of outsiders?

What kind of parents are these? What kind of logic is that? Tell them I'll take care of them in their old age, but only financially!"

The person on the other end of the phone immediately changed. It was Dad. He had been listening silently the whole time. Now, seeing that I showed no sign of backing down, he finally couldn't hold back.

His tone remained condescending, "Don't you know you're wrong?"

I retorted, "You have money, why don't you lend it to me?"

"You..."

"Eighty-eight tables for the banquet, 150-200 dollars per table. You have money to support her, but you cant even lend me some to tide me over."

Dad, being a professor, remained calm, "Then it's my money, I have the right to dispose of it."

I nodded, "I know it's your money, your connections, you can use them on whomever you want. Then how I use my money and my time in the future is my business."

I hung up the phone, turned it off and finally, the world was quiet. The adult world didnt have time for sentimentality.

After failing the entrance exam for Scotland University's graduate program, I went to another university for graduate studies.

Unwilling to give up, I tried starting a business with a friend. The result was predictable, failure, leaving me with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I wanted to borrow some money from my parents, but they'd rather throw a graduation banquet for their own students than help me out.

I had to find a way to pay off the debt myself. The rent in this area was now unbearable for me. I decided to move back to the university.

The university provided graduate student accommodation in double rooms. Although it was not very convenient, the advantage was that I only needed to pay for utilities, which saved a lot of money. Without my parents' help, I could still pay off the debt.

Although the business failed, I still built some connections. The profit sharing from some outsourced projects was still quite good. I started getting busy. I had to juggle between my studies and projects.

I worked from the moment I opened my eyes each day and fell asleep the moment I closed them at night. Even when I went to the bathroom, I was thinking about which data needed improvement.

My mother, whom I hadn't been able to reach for a long time, waited for me at the school gate. She brought my aunt along as a mediator.

"Helena, why are you living in the school dormitory? Didn't you say you weren't used to living with others? The dormitory is so small, it's inconvenient to live there. Why did you give up your previous place?"

I anxiously checked my phone; the meeting was about to start.

"Because I couldn't afford rent anymore. Living at the school only requires paying for utilities."

My mother's eyes reddened.

My aunt said, "Helena, you and your parents still need to have a serious talk..."

"Talk about what? Haven't I already followed their instructions to avoid suspicion?"

"Mom, please don't show up here, lest people say I got in here through connections and tarnished Professor Murphy and Professor Clarkson's reputations."

I abandoned them and chased after the bus. If I missed this bus, I would have to take a taxi. Every penny must be spent wisely before I paid off my debts.

Suddenly, I heard urgent shouts behind me. An electric scooter swerved out from a blind spot and hit me.

In a split second, I managed to protect my laptop, which rolled twice on the ground. The laptop was fine, but my left ankle seemed to be twisted; it hurt so much I couldn't put weight on it.

"Helena, are you alright? Don't move! I will call an ambulance right away. How could you drive like that?!"

I took a deep breath and said, "Give me my phone first. I need to explain something at work." My phone had just been thrown away.

But my mother flew into a rage, "What time is it? You're still thinking about work, thinking about money! Is money more important than your life?"

She grabbed my phone, refusing to give it to me and hung up on me.

I yelled back, even louder, "Because I owe some money! Because my parents would rather spend money on a stranger's college entrance celebration than lend me any money for an emergency! What can I do but work myself to the bone to pay off the debt?! Give me the phone!"

My words stunned my mother and my aunt quickly took the phone and handed it to me. I dialed the number back. I briefly explained the situation and stood there waiting for someone to come and get the computer.

The woman on the electric scooter looked left and right, then chose to settle things privately. She readily transferred 1000 dollars to me. She didn't say anything, just patted my shoulder and looked at my mother. Everything was understood without words.

My mother blushed, this time from embarrassment. Seeing that I insisted on waiting by the roadside, she stayed with me. But she still couldn't help lecturing me.

"Helena, your main job now is to study. After you graduate with your master's degree, you'll have plenty of good jobs to choose from."

I showed her the call log, I get at least a dozen debt collection calls every day. Do you think I can concentrate on my studies under these circumstances? I dont need your help anymore. Please stop bothering my work.

Moms lips moved a few times, her voice hoarse, Helena, do youdo you hate us?

I looked at her intently, Im just very disappointed.

Mom left that day, completely distraught. Not long after, I saw Dad on TV. Scarlett Warner choked back tears as she thanked Dad, saying he was her second dad. Dad was in tears.

I glanced at him indifferently, then turned and plunged back into my even busier work. I received 50,000 dollars after completing the last project, which greatly relieved my pressure. I felt even more motivated, wishing I could use every minute to my hearts content.

These past few days, Mom seems to have come to some realization. She transferred some money to me. 80,000 dollars.

Looking at the transfer on my phone, I hesitated for a long time before finally accepting it. I needed money, lots and lots of money. After that, I wrote a note saying I owed my mother the money and mailed it to her.

My mother called immediately, "Helena, that money is from your mother, just take it, no need for pay it back to me."

"It's better to be clear about it." I insisted I would repay the money later.

My mother couldn't turn to talk about anything else, "Helena, Scarlett thinks it's because of her that your relationship with your dad is strained. She feels very sorry and wants to meet you in person to apologize. Do you want to find some time to meet her?"

Having just received 80,000 dollar, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. I just wanted to say a few words to reassure Scarlett.

"Pick a time and send me the address." I finished my work and took a taxi there.

But when I opened the door, I saw a figure I absolutely didn't want to see. My dad was sitting leisurely in the main seat. Next to him were my second uncle and second aunt.

I immediately looked at my mother. She lowered her head guiltily, avoiding eye contact with me, but forcefully pulled me to my seat. Neither of us spoke; the air grew heavy.

Scarlett stood up to smooth things over, "Helena, Professor Clarkson helped me, but she didn't mean to hurt you. The culprit isn't the teacher, it's me. I'm sorry."

She picked up her wine glass, about to drink. But my dad stopped her.

He looked at me with exasperation, "Look how sensible Scarlett is. Unlike you, always throwing tantrums. Let it go this time, but you should help Scarlett more in the future. She comes from a small town and isn't quite used to life here yet."

My mother also chimed in, telling me how hard she'd worked, how she'd gotten to where she was today entirely through her own efforts. I listened and smiled. I placed my leave of absence certificate in front of them.

"I've had a tough time too. The school forced me to take a leave of absence. Could you please have pity on me and help me out?"

My dad's hand trembled as he pointed at the leave of absence certificate, slamming his fist on the table in anger, "You threw a tantrum and wouldn't come home, fine, but now you're not even going to school? This school, even if it's not as good as Scotland University, is still one of the top universities in the country!"

"I had no choice. My parents have money to throw banquets for other people's college admissions, but not enough to borrow money for me. I've missed too many classes, so I had to take a leave of absence. I'm so pitiful, why don't you help me?"

I looked at my dad with sarcasm, "I just don't understand. You can be so kind and noble with a stranger, yet you can be so heartless to your own daughter. I used to think my dad was upright and honest, but after seeing what you did for Scarlett, I realized it's all double standards. My dad is a terrible person."

I had long understood why my dad insisted on Scarlett getting into Scotland University.

Next year he would be applying for full professorship again. He had failed many times already. At Scotland University, where talent abounded, his qualifications weren't enough compared to others, so he wanted to build momentum for himself.

What could be more inspiring than a student he sponsored getting into the university where he sponsor them? At this crucial moment, he didnt dare let me get into Scotland University, afraid he would accuse me of using connections and it would affect his promotion. But I could have gotten in on my own efforts.

In this scheme, he gained fame, while Scarlett gained profit. Only I was manipulated like a fool. Now I could only suspend my studies to pay off my debts.

I closed my eyes wearily, "If you want to avoid suspicion, then sever all ties completely. From today onwards, pretend I don't exist as your daughter."