After hearing everything, Dad slammed his hand on the table. "That's ridiculous! She's treating her future like a joke! The Slaters' daughter has completely lost her mind!"

Mom, on the other hand, gently patted my shoulder, heartbroken. "You did the right thing, Joseph. She's irresponsible and irrational. The sooner you distance yourself, the better. No matter what, we support your decision."

With my parents behind me, I finally felt the burden in my chest vanish.

Meanwhile, the Slater family still knew nothing about Emma changing her university application.

Liliana was busy bragging to everyone she met that her daughter was guaranteed admission to Kingswell University and Bellgrave University. She even booked the most luxurious hotel in the city in advance for a celebratory enrollment party.

That evening, she came to our house carrying a basket of fruit. She looked radiant with pride as soon as she stepped inside, grabbing my hand with a beaming smile.

"You and Emma did well in the exam this time. She's the top science student, while you're the top humanities student. Once you two get to either Kingswell or Bellgrave, you must take good care of her."

Then, Liliana started laying out a future, as if it were already decided. "After you two graduate from university, you should get married early. I'll help take care of the kids. You just focus on marrying Emma and helping out in the company."

Mom couldn't stand it anymore and cut in coldly. "Liliana, we should let the kids decide their own lives. Joseph is planning to pursue postgraduate studies. He won't be thinking about settling down so soon."

I calmly withdrew my hand as well, my tone polite but distant. "Mrs. Slater, it's all about freedom in choosing your partners these days. Emma already has someone she's into. I'm sure you knew that a long time ago.

"So, going forward, please don't bring up any of the engagement arrangements again. It's not true, and it won't look good on anyone if it spreads."

Liliana waved dismissively. "I know Emma has been spending time with that poor punk named Ezekiel, but don't take it to heart. Women just like to have a bit of fun with someone new before marriage. It's normal.

"She's guaranteed admission to either of those top unis, so I'm sure she knows her limits. The position of the Slater son-in-law can only be yours, Joseph."

Honestly, I felt a wave of nausea rising in my chest.

Back then, Liliana had only been a housemaid for the Slater family. She climbed her way up by taking advantage of the wife's illness, eventually giving birth to Emma.

For years, the family had continued to support both of them.

Only after the wife passed away did her husband, Andrew Slater, publicly state, "Regardless of which child, whoever got into Kingswell or Bellgrave will be eligible to enter the company's core management structure."

In other words, it was an open qualification for succession among the illegitimate children.

That single condition gave Liliana all the motivation to stake everything she had on this exam so she could use it as her one chance to stage a dramatic reversal of fate.

Looking at Liliana's self-satisfied, nonstop chatter, I deliberately played along and praised her. "Emma really does have strong opinions. We all trust her. Just wait for the enrollment party. She's going to make you extremely proud."

She was instantly delighted, her anticipation for the party reaching its peak. "Of course! The Superintendent of Schools and the principal will all be there. I want everyone to know my daughter is the best of the best!"

I smiled and nodded, but inwardly, I sneered. Hopefully, Liliana would still be able to smile on that day.

After the application submissions, Emma and Ezekiel were openly showing off their relationship on social media over the entire summer break.

One day, they were having candlelit dinners at upscale restaurants; the next, they were vacationing at the beach. His posts were filled with luxury watches and expensive sneakers.

It was obvious that the monetary reward Liliana had given Emma was being spent freely on Ezekiel.

The high school alumni group chat was buzzing every day.

"Emma and Ezekiel are way too public about it. She's spending a lot on him!"

"I heard he applied to a community college. Is she really going to follow him there?"

"No way! Joseph would never just watch her ruin her future like that!"

Reading that message, I sat on the couch and calmly took a sip of water.

Back then, in everyone's eyes, I had truly been the bossy, over-protective guy around Emma. To attend the same university as her, I tutored her, planned her academic path, and poured in a great deal of effort to make it all happen.

In the group chat, a few female students who usually hung around Emma began mocking me.

"What do you guys know? With how clingy Joseph is, he's definitely already logged into her account behind her back and changed her applications back to Kingswell and Bellgrave!'

"Exactly. You think he could stand not going to the same uni as Emma? He's probably hiding under his blanket right now, hugging their admission letters and secretly celebrating."

"If you ask me, he's pathetic. Emma already hates him, yet he still shamelessly sticks around."

A few of the gossip-hungry classmates even threw in laughing emojis.

I set down my glass of water and was about to reply when Emma suddenly appeared in the group chat and tagged me.

"I knew you'd change my application for me! Are you really that incapable of living without me? If you're so desperate for a woman, go to the red light district!

"Let me make this clear. Nothing you do will break Ezekiel and me apart. Worst case, we'll just repeat a year together. I'll never let your schemes succeed!"

Right after that, Ezekiel sent a photo in the group chat. It showed two overlapping hands, wearing matching couple rings.

He wrote, "Joseph, I know you've gone to great lengths trying to keep Emma by your side, but as I said, you can't force a relationship. Even if you manage to keep her by your side, you'll never win her heart."

After reading those messages, I couldn't help but laugh out loud, so much that I nearly choked on my water. At the same time, I lost any interest in replying.

Instead, I muted the group chat and exited the app.

For the entire summer break, I didn't pay attention to any of the outside noise. I used the holiday to accompany my parents for a full medical check-up, and the three of us went on a two-week-long trip across the northwest region.

We traveled without restraint and fully enjoyed ourselves. By the time we returned, it just happened to coincide with the Slater family's grand enrollment party.

As soon as we entered the residential area, we saw banners hung across the gate and along the roads. "Congratulations to Emma Slater for achieving top science rank and gaining admission to Kingswell and Bellgrave!"

Liliana was dressed in a flamboyant red dress, handing out invitations to everyone she met. She acted so high-profile that she practically wanted the entire city to know her daughter had made it.

When she saw my family returning with suitcases, she immediately blocked the entrance to our house. A golden-embossed invitation card was shoved into my hand.

For some reason, Liliana's expression was full of condescension and superiority. "Oh, Joseph, you're finally back. Tomorrow is Emma's enrollment party.

"Her father will be bringing the Superintendent of Schools and major shareholders from the company. You should stick close to her and network more. It'll be good for your future."

I lowered my gaze and glanced at the unopened postal express envelope in her hand. It was clearly the admission letter, which she had deliberately kept sealed so she could open it in front of everyone at the party tomorrow.

I looked up again and met Liliana's triumphant gaze. A meaningful smile slowly curved on my lips. "Don't worry, Mrs. Slater. I'll definitely be there on time for such an important occasion."

I had to be there. With a scene that spectacular, how could I possibly afford to miss it?