Chapter 5 From that day on , I completely changed . I stopped showing any emotion about Dad ignoring me or Kaya being his favorite . I became quiet and focused , with a crystal clear goal in mind . And I put away all my recreational books and filled my desk with thick workbooks and military academy brochures instead . My desk lamp stayed on until way past midnight most nights . My grades shot up at an absolutely mind - blowing pace , climbing from the middle of the pack all the way to the top of my class , then finally settling at the very best spot . Dad definitely noticed this change . After getting over his shock , he felt secretly relieved , and even had this " I knew it " kind of feeling . le figured that his cold treatment and giving all the resources and attention to Kaya had finally kicked my competitive spirit into gear . hat it had made me see the light and start working hard to earn my place back . le was totally fine with this development . t dinner , Dad started casually bringing up company business , and for the first time ever , he'd actually ask what I thought about certain business deals . e never said it outright , but his intentions were pretty obvious . e was putting me back in the running to take over the company . That I didn't expect was that this subtle shift hit Mrs. Hayes right where it hurt most . he'd worked so hard to secure her position in this family , and had finally managed to get Dad to pour all his energy into her son . 1st when victory was within reach , she wasn't about to let me swoop back in and ruin everything . ly important study materials would mysteriously disappear , only for me to find them later in the trash . he night before my SATS , the AC in my room conveniently broke down , buzzing and making so much noise I couldn't sleep , and somehow the repair guy was apossible to reach . ne time , the milk she brought me tasted really off , didn't pretend not to notice - just quietly got up and poured it down the sink . dodged all these little sabotage attempts without making a big deal about it . nd I never told Dad about any of it , not because I was being patient , but because I genuinely thought it was a waste of time . ly goals were set much higher and further away I had zero interest in getting involved in this kind of petty household drama . hat is , until I intercepted a recommendation letter that Mrs. Hayes had altered , forging Dad's handwriting . he letter that was supposed to recommend me for a top international business school had been changed to recommend Kaya instead . didn't run to Dad crying about it . Instead , I took the letter straight to Mrs. Hayes and cornered her with it . Ars . Hayes's face went completely white , but she tried to stay calm . " Betty , why do you have that ? " Mrs. Hayes , you can stop doing all this pointless stuff . " said it totally calmly , then continued , " I'm not interested in Dad's company . I'm not gonna compete with Kaya for any of that . " Mrs. Hayes looked confused for a second , then gave this awkward smile , " Betty , what are you talking about ? I have no idea what you mean ." 22:19 From ' Beloved Daughter ' to ' Dead Burden " ? Now Watch Your ' Perfect Family BURN ! 20.99 Chapter 5 I pulled out my phone and showed her several audio recordings and photos . Including security footage from that milk incident , plus a handwriting analysis report I'd had done . I turned the phone screen toward her . " If I wanted to , this stuff would be enough to make Dad kick you and your son out of this house . " All the color drained from Mrs. Hayes's face instantly . " Why didn't you ... " Her voice was shaking . Why didn't I expose you ? " I said it as casually as if I was talking about the weather , then continued , " Because my time is valuable - I need it for studying . Plus , I'm going to find Mom . I don't have time to deal with your petty schemes . " Mrs. Hayes's expression immediately got all complicated . When she heard me say the same " crazy stuff " I'd been saying since I was little , she instinctively took a step back , like she was afraid this hopeless lunatic migh uddenly attack her . After that , Mrs. Hayes actually backed off and even went out of her way to avoid me . When test scores came out , my name was right up there with the top students in the state , with scores that were absolutely brilliant . Dad was over the moon , pulling out materials from several elite business schools he'd already prepared , looking super excited . Betty . I knew you were the best ! Come on , take a look at these business schools and tell me which one catches your eye . " listened quietly to Dad's whole plan , then shook my head . Dad . I'm not applying to business school . " Dad's smile froze completely . I already applied to the military medical academy . " I said it word by word , then added " First choice , second choice , both the same . Won't be long before the acceptance letter arrives . " It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over his head all the joy disappeared from Dad's face instantly . Why ? He couldn't wrap his head around it , then said " You scored this high just to become some army doctor ? Do you have to fight me on everything ? " Took . I know I neglected you before , but I was doing it for your own good , trying to motivate you . " " You should know how much I believe in you . Don't you want the company ? Why are you doing this to me ? " flooked at Dad and , just like countless times before , gave him the answer he couldn't accept " Because i'm going to find Mom " Dad stumbled backward and collapsed into a chair , looking completely defeated His carefully planned business empare crumbled in the face of what he saw as my impossible obsession . " Dad , " I said softly , then continued Do you remember when I was fifteen and got that sudden illness ? The hospital said they didn't have enough of my rare blood type in stock , and even with all your connections , you couldn't get it right away ? 22:19