Chapter 3

Austin was livid. He pointed at Dad, too angry to get a word out for several seconds.

"Fine. You're doing this of your own free will, right? Then don't come crying to me when something happens!"

Austin yanked a stack of documents out of his drawer and slammed them onto the desk.

Jimmy eagerly snatched up a pen and scribbled his name in the applicant's signature field. His handwriting was crooked and sloppy, much like the man himself.

"Hold on." Austin pressed a hand firmly against the documents, his expression stern. "Jimmy, right? There's a Voluntary Waiver of Liability for Deployment to High-Risk Areas here. You need to sign it too."

Austin deliberately emphasized the words "high-risk areas".

Jimmy didn't even bother reading it. He signed with a sneer, then said, "High-risk? Rich people these days love a thrill. I get it. The more dangerous a place is, the more money there is to be made."

He even shot me a smug look, his eyes practically screaming, "You're such a coward."

Betsy urged him from the side, "Hurry up and sign it! Once you're done, we're going out for a fancy dinner to celebrate."

Jimmy quickly pressed his stamp onto the document. The bright red imprint stood out starkly against the black text and white paper.

The person in charge, Willard Finch, took the paperwork and reviewed it three times to make sure everything was in order.

"Mr. Sweeney, are you certain you've read and understood all the terms and conditions? Including, but not limited to, accepting full responsibility for your personal safety and assuming all risks associated with war?"

Jimmy waved him off impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Why do you people make everything so complicated? It's just a trip abroad, yet you're acting like I'm heading straight into a battlefield."

A flicker of pity crossed Willard's eyes, but he said nothing.

The moment the paperwork was completed, I felt an immense weight lift off my shoulders. It was as if the mountain that had been crushing me for years had finally collapsed.

"The spot is mine now, Cody. You can get lost," Jimmy said arrogantly, waving the photocopy in his hand.

Dad let out a cold snort. "From now on, stop showing your face around the house. Don't ruin Jimmy's good fortune. A good-for-nothing like you only brings misfortune to this family."

Betsy looped her arm through Jimmy's without even sparing me a glance.

"Jimmy, let's go buy that designer suitcase. We have to get the most expensive one."

The three of them walked out of the office together, laughing and chatting happily.

I stood there watching them leave, sneering inwardly.

Austin walked over and patted me on the shoulder.

"Cody, does Jimmy actually know where he's going?"

I shook my head. "He thinks he's going to Aurelia for coffee and Lyronne to see the clock tower."

Austin sighed. "It's Soleene, a place where human life is worth next to nothing. Fighting is fierce over there right now, and most of the medical team assignments are considered death missions. Nobody dares to take them. You're practically sending Jimmy straight to his doom."

I turned to look at Austin. "He was the one who insisted on going. I tried to stop him, but they wouldn't listen. Since they think it's such a blessing, then let them enjoy it."

I walked out of the office, squinting at the glaring sunlight.

I knew the real show was only just beginning.

To show off, Jimmy threw a lavish party at home. He invited all his friends and our relatives and even rented a luxury car to park outside the house.

"Everyone, I'm about to head overseas for advanced studies. If any of you ever need a hand with anything, just contact me."

His face was flushed red from drinking as he held court at the table, making grand promises and acting like a big shot. Meanwhile, Betsy was dressed head to toe in designer clothes, welcoming guests like she owned the place.