Chapter 3 · After She Insisted On Splitting Everything

The family meeting, or what felt more like a tribunal against me, kicked off right on time that night.

Dad sat at the head of the table, his face unreadable, giving nothing away.

Mom was sobbing and wailing, calling me a heartless daughter who'd ruined her livelihood.

Danny looked furious, while Geneva sat beside him, eyes brimming with tears, the two of them looking for all the world like a doomed couple being tormented by their wicked sister-in-law.

"June, you have to restore the card for us." Danny started off, slamming his hand on the table and yelling at me.

"Why should I?" I drawled, taking my sweet time.

"Because I'm your brother," Danny snapped.

"Danny, you're missing the point," I said with a smile. "Our family's in a new era now. We split everything evenly, and status doesn't matter. If we go by Geneva's logic, you and I are just equal members of the family, and nobody's obligated to support you."

Danny was left speechless, looking to Geneva for backup.

Geneva dabbed at the corners of her eyes, though there weren't any real tears. She spoke in a gentle, fragile voice. "June, I know you've got issues with me. But you can't take it out on Mom and Danny just because of me. They're used to how things were before. If you flip everything upside down all of a sudden, they just can't deal with it."

"Geneva, I really don't like hearing that," I said, setting down my fork. "I'm not taking it out on anyone. I'm actually supporting you, cheering you on, and learning from you. You're the one who taught me people should be independent and have boundaries. I'm working hard to become a strong, independent woman just like you. Shouldn't you be proud of me?"

My heartfelt speech shut Geneva down before she could say another word. If she tried to argue, she'd just be slapping herself in the face.

Geneva could only force a stiff smile. "Of course I'm proud of you. But you know, everything should be done step by step."

"Geneva, the times aren't waiting for anyone," I cut her off. "We've got to grab the chance and race into this new age of independence. And since you and Danny split everything fifty-fifty, if Danny spent 600 thousand dollars, you should cover half, just 300 thousand dollars. For someone pulling in 100 thousand dollars a month, that's basically pocket change."

I made sure to really stress that '100 thousand dollars a month' part in my tone.

That was the salary Geneva introduced herself with when she first joined our family. She said she was a marketing director at an international firm, making one million dollars a year.

Geneva's face turned pale. 300 thousand dollars was three months of her salary, if she didn't spend a cent on anything else.

But her monthly expenses for skincare, clothes, and spa treatments already blew past that amount.

There was no way she could cover her share for Danny.

"But that was a gift Danny bought. How could we go fifty-fifty on that?" Geneva tried to wriggle out of it.

"Oh?" I said, acting like I'd just had a revelation. "So your idea of splitting things is totally selective. You only split the electricity bill, but not the shopping bill. You want everyone else to be independent, but not yourself. Got it, got it."

I gave a slow, mocking round of applause.

"You!" Geneva was so furious she was shaking all over.

Dad, who'd been silent the whole time, finally spoke up. "Alright. The card stays frozen for now. Danny, your VP title at the company is on hold.

"You're heading to the marketing department as a team lead. It's time to learn the ropes from the ground up. When you meet your performance goals, you can come back."

Danny looked like he'd just been struck by lightning. "Dad!"

"And you," Dad said, turning to Mom, "I'll give you 70 thousand dollars a month for the household. You'll have to make it work. If that's not enough, you'll just have to find a way to make do."

Mom was totally floored. 70 thousand dollars wouldn't even cover one of her bags before.

Finally, Dad's eyes settled on me.

I instantly straightened up, playing the model daughter, all ready for the verdict.

"You," Dad said, looking at me, then broke into a smile. "Nice job. Keep it up."

The whole room was stunned.

Danny and my mom stared at Dad like he'd been hexed.

Geneva was absolutely floored. Maybe it was only now that she realized, out of everyone in this family, the one who seemed like the biggest nobody was actually the one you really shouldn't cross.

And I just let out a silent sigh inside. 'Seriously, why is it so hard to just be a plain old freeloader?'

Chapter 3

The family meeting, or what felt more like a tribunal against me, kicked off right on time that night.

Dad sat at the head of the table, his face unreadable, giving nothing away.

Mom was sobbing and wailing, calling me a heartless daughter who'd ruined her livelihood.

Danny looked furious, while Geneva sat beside him, eyes brimming with tears, the two of them looking for all the world like a doomed couple being tormented by their wicked sister-in-law.

"June, you have to restore the card for us." Danny started off, slamming his hand on the table and yelling at me.

"Why should I?" I drawled, taking my sweet time.

"Because I'm your brother," Danny snapped.

Danny was left speechless, looking to Geneva for backup.

My heartfelt speech shut Geneva down before she could say another word. If she tried to argue, she'd just be slapping herself in the face.

Geneva could only force a stiff smile. "Of course I'm proud of you. But you know, everything should be done step by step."

I made sure to really stress that '100 thousand dollars a month' part in my tone.

That was the salary Geneva introduced herself with when she first joined our family. She said she was a marketing director at an international firm, making one million dollars a year.

Geneva's face turned pale. 300 thousand dollars was three months of her salary, if she didn't spend a cent on anything else.

But her monthly expenses for skincare, clothes, and spa treatments already blew past that amount.

There was no way she could cover her share for Danny.

"But that was a gift Danny bought. How could we go fifty-fifty on that?" Geneva tried to wriggle out of it.

I gave a slow, mocking round of applause.

"You!" Geneva was so furious she was shaking all over.

Dad, who'd been silent the whole time, finally spoke up. "Alright. The card stays frozen for now. Danny, your VP title at the company is on hold.

"You're heading to the marketing department as a team lead. It's time to learn the ropes from the ground up. When you meet your performance goals, you can come back."

Danny looked like he'd just been struck by lightning. "Dad!"

"And you," Dad said, turning to Mom, "I'll give you 70 thousand dollars a month for the household. You'll have to make it work. If that's not enough, you'll just have to find a way to make do."

Mom was totally floored. 70 thousand dollars wouldn't even cover one of her bags before.

Finally, Dad's eyes settled on me.

I instantly straightened up, playing the model daughter, all ready for the verdict.

"You," Dad said, looking at me, then broke into a smile. "Nice job. Keep it up."

The whole room was stunned.

Danny and my mom stared at Dad like he'd been hexed.

Geneva was absolutely floored. Maybe it was only now that she realized, out of everyone in this family, the one who seemed like the biggest nobody was actually the one you really shouldn't cross.

And I just let out a silent sigh inside. 'Seriously, why is it so hard to just be a plain old freeloader?'