Chapter 2
Soon after, a team of government specialists arrived.
"To ensure proper function, all family assets will be linked to the system. We'll monitor for parental favoritism and intervene when necessary."
Dad, ever the businessman, insisted on reviewing the contract first.
Michael practically grabbed the pen and signed immediately.
"Come on, Dad, it's a government system—can't be wrong! Are you really going to let Anna suffer? What's there to think about?"
Hearing that, my parents signed without hesitation.
I read every clause carefully before signing my name.
Michael scoffed, "You always act like some tragic victim, like we've been torturing you. You got all the perks and still play the martyr? Now you'll see what real fairness looks like."
Mom came over to my side.
"We're doing this for your own good. Spoiling you would only hurt you in the long run."
I gave a bitter laugh.
"Sure, whatever."
After we all signed, Dad was in high spirits.
"Let's eat! I had Mrs. Warner make extra of Anna's favorites today—gotta spoil my sweet girl."
The table was filled with mouthwatering dishes.
King crab, abalone in sauce, beef bourguignon, and Anna's favorite sashimi.
The smell made my stomach growl. I inched toward the table, hoping I could finally join them.
Usually, I had to eat with the housekeeper and never got anything this fresh or fancy.
But now that the system was supposed to make everything fair, maybe I could sit at the table like Anna?
Michael blocked me with a scowl, sounding annoyed.
"Hey! We're finally having a family dinner—why are you here? Go to your room and stop ruining the mood."
I stood my ground.
"We all signed up for the system. Anna gets to eat at the table, but I can't? That's not fair."
Anna's eyes welled up with tears.
Mom's expression softened as she tried to persuade me.
"Anna's still not comfortable eating with you. Seeing you upsets her. Can't you eat in your room like before?"
"No, I want to eat now."
Dad slammed his fork down hard on the table.
"You little brat, watch your attitude!"
Before his hand could reach my face, he suddenly convulsed and collapsed.
The system's cold, mechanical voice rang out in the room.
[Favoritism and abuse detected. Electric shock initiated.]
Mom collapsed next, her body twitching as electricity crackled through the air.
"Dad! Mom!"
Anna and Michael rushed over, but the moment they touched our parents, they got shocked too, jumping back with cries of pain.
After several minutes, the convulsions stopped, and they were helped up.
Dad looked absolutely terrified.
"When did this damn system start electrocuting people? Why are we getting shocked?"
[Anna eats at the table while Daisy is sent to her room with leftovers. This constitutes serious favoritism.]
[Rest assured, the system's electric shocks won't cause any lasting damage—only pain. If necessary, punishment can reach the intensity of labor pain.]
Dad clutched himself, muttering curses under his breath, still shaken.
"Anna already sacrificed her status as the Hughes heiress! What's wrong with Daisy eating in her room? What kind of stupid system is this? I want to cancel it!"
[All decisions are subject to system authority.]
[The contract is lifelong. You do not have termination rights.]
Mom asked cautiously, "So, what level of pain was that just now?"
[Level five.]
Watching my parents angry, scared, and completely helpless filled me with satisfaction.
Man, this Equal Treatment System was actually pretty great!
Mom gave a resigned wave and pulled me over to the table.
"Fine, it's just a meal. Go ahead and eat."
Now that I finally had my rights, I couldn't help wondering just how far this system would let me push things.
I decided to test the system's limits.
"Mom, this food is way too greasy. I want some vegetables," I said.
Sure, the table was loaded with expensive dishes, but it was all Anna's favorites. Not a single thing I actually wanted.
Especially the sashimi. After surviving a famine as a kid where I had to eat a rotting fish, raw fish makes me gag.
Mom gave me an annoyed look.
"The cook's gone for the day. Be grateful there's food—stop being so picky."
Anna chimed in, sliding sashimi into my bowl on purpose.
"Daisy, this one's mild. You should have more."
I lowered my head, silently counting down.
Three, two, one.
The system prompt rang.
[Electric shock initiated.]
Mom pitched forward from her chair, shattering several of the prized porcelain veneers.
"Why am I getting punished for this?"
[Linda spent all afternoon preparing abalone for Anna but couldn't spare a minute for vegetables for her real daughter. She knows Anna's preferences but doesn't realize Daisy gets sick at the sight of sashimi. Level three shock for favoritism.]
Mom's hands trembled as she stumbled from the table.
"Fine! I'll make you vegetables. Happy now?"
She stood and dumped all the sashimi at once.
"My sashimi!"
Anna's reaction was hilarious—I had to fight back a laugh, feeling totally satisfied inside.
So as long as I asked for whatever Anna got, the system made sure I got it too.
For the first time, I experienced real fairness.
Anna finished eating silently, then rushed toward her room.
But with the system in place, why would I return to that damp, cramped storage room?
If I wanted to ace the SATs and escape this family, I needed a proper place to study.
"Dad, Mom, I want a room like Anna's."
As soon as I said that, Anna stopped dead on the stairs and exploded.
"Daisy, can you give it a rest? My room was designed by a famous designer, and some of the furniture is irreplaceable. Where am I supposed to get you an exact copy? Besides, you're just a nobody who wouldn't even know how to appreciate it. Don't get ahead of yourself!"
I smirked. "But you have it. Why can't I? That's not fair."
Michael, silent until now, stepped in front of Anna protectively. "Daisy, don't push it!"
This time, Mom and Dad didn't immediately intervene.
Anna looked panicked. "Dad, Mom, say something! I'm used to my own bed, and my skin can't handle different sheets. This isn't fair to me!"
After a long pause, Mom spoke. "Anna, let Daisy sleep in your room tonight. Tomorrow I'll have someone prepare a room for her."
Dad sighed heavily, "Yeah, otherwise this system could zap us any second. Tomorrow I'll see if there's a way out of this thing, or it'll drive us all crazy."
So they knew exactly how to be fair.
They just never wanted to do it for me.
Anna's eyes filled with tears as she stomped downstairs, clearly unwilling.
As she passed me, she shot me a vicious glare and hissed, "Don't get too cocky. System or not, just wait and see how I make you pay."