I Bought the Car, They Took the Credit

I was momentarily stunned by the sheer shamelessness of what he was saying.

To stop him from continuing his ridiculous theories in private messages, I typed out a brief reply.

[Uncle Hank, that car isn't an option.]

I thought I had made myself clear enough. Surely that would be the end of it.

Instead, my response seemed to light the fuse.

He immediately took the fight to the family group chat.

[Francis Shephard, why are you being so distant? We're family. There's no need to draw lines like that.]

[I've already made a decision for you. Your new car will be your gift to your younger cousin William for his wedding!]

[Everyone, don't you think Francis has really made something of himself? Now he knows how to support the family!]

One message after another flooded the group.

He even attached screenshots from my social media feed.

I stared at my phone in disbelief. I could not believe a grown man could pull something like this.

That car was not just any car.

It was a reward approved personally by the company chairman after I secured a major deal. The vehicle was registered under the company's name and primarily used for business receptions.

To me, it was not just transportation. It was recognition, proof that my work had value.

My parents always said that with distant relatives, maintaining surface-level harmony was enough.

There was no need to get too close, especially with Hank Shephard's family. Back when my grandfather was still alive, they had already had an ugly falling-out over trivial matters.

Just as I was about to clarify things in the group chat, an unfamiliar number called.

I answered, and a woman's voice, thick with sobs, came through the line.

"Francis, it's your Aunt Sharon. You can't treat your brother like this.

"Your uncle already told me everything. It's just a car. Do you really have to be this stingy?

"William has admired you since he was little. Now that he's finally getting married, can't you take pity on us and let him have one moment of glory?"

Listening to her tearful complaints only made my irritation grow.

Back when they borrowed money and never paid it back, nearly causing my father's business cash flow to collapse, I did not hear a single sob from them.

I calmly replied, "Aunt Sharon, I'm really sorry. That car belongs to the company, not to me personally. I don't have the authority to give it away. The company's rules are very strict. I simply can't let William use it."

She clearly did not care what I said.

"That's easy, Francis. Just talk to your boss. Tell him there's an urgent family matter. You've made the company so much money. Surely he wouldn't refuse you over something so small?

"Francis, you can't be so rigid in life. You're still young. I'm just teaching you how the world works."

That was the moment I lost all patience.

"No. Find someone else."

Either my refusal was too blunt, or she never expected me to take this stance.

She dropped the sobbing instantly, her voice turning sharp and shrill.

"Fine, Francis. So now that you've made it, you look down on poor relatives like us, huh?

"Alright, alright! We won't take the car, okay? However, your cousin is getting married, so you at least have to give a decent cash gift!"