My voice rose, trembling. "Vanessa didn't even break 600, yet you deleted the rule for her. Who exactly benefits from your 'fairness'?"

A glass struck my forehead. Shattered on impact.

Pain radiated through my skull as Richard shot to his feet, face purple with fury.

"You've gotten bold, haven't you!"

Guests scrambled between us, holding us back.

Vanessa's eyes welled with tears. "Sis, please! Don't upset Dad. Just apologize!"

"Look at your sister, then look at yourself!" Richard bellowed. "Vanessa studied for three months. Why shouldn't she be rewarded? Everyone knows she's the orphan of my late comrade. If I don't help her, society will judge the Whitmore family. Why can't you think about the family reputation instead of your own selfish interests?"

"Selfish interests?"

I let out a hollow laugh.

"Dad, I prepared for a year. Who rewarded me?"

Richard froze.

I laughed again, the sound empty. "Dad, did you know that because you blocked me, my boyfriend and I broke up?"

His frown deepened, anger momentarily checked.

"We dated for three years. We planned to introduce our parents the day I got the offer. But he got in, and I didn't. Long-distance we couldn't sustain. We broke up."

I held his gaze. "Are you happy now?"

I grabbed a glass and hurled it at the floor.

Shards exploded outward.

Vanessa rushed to shield Richard. "Sis, what are you doing?"

My mother moved to restrain me, but I stared at my father through a blur of tears. The shock in his eyes was unmistakable.

Then Vanessa lunged at me.

"Serena, please! I won't join Dad's company. I'll give it up voluntarily." Vanessa's voice trembled, pitch-perfect in its distress. "Don't blame Dad. It's all my fault. I'll beg for your forgiveness!"

Before I could react, she dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.

Richard hauled her back up immediately, his grip protective.

"Nonsense! You earned that position. Why should you sacrifice your future for her tantrum?" He turned his glare on me. "Look how sensible Vanessa is. Then look at yourself. You don't understand family loyalty. How are your mother and I supposed to rely on you?"

"Rely on me?"

I let out a hollow laugh.

"Since Vanessa's so sensible, why do you need me? From now on, she can be your only daughter."

I slammed the door behind me.

My mother called my name. China shattered against a wall.

"Let her go!" Richard roared. "Let's see how long she survives without us!"