Chapter 2

I had to complete the task. So, I gritted my teeth and endured everything in silence.

At last, Dad's kick sent me flying several yards. He looked down at me coldly and spat, "That's all you can take? And you think you're ready to learn how to fight? Fine. Then you can be my training dummy."

With that, he went to work on my back and limbs, wrenching every joint with practiced precision.

The agony was so intense that I broke out in a cold sweat, blood soaking into the carpet beneath me. I heard my joints pop out of place as the guests erupted into gasps and applause.

"No wonder he's a legend! Every move is perfect! He doesn't miss even when it's a real person!" one exclaimed.

When the demonstration finally ended, I lay in a pool of my own blood, and my vision blurred.

Above me, Dad straightened his clothes, nudged my face with the tip of his shoe, then said coldly, "Remember this. Don't ever think you can compete with Daniel for our affection. You're not worthy!"

At the same time, the system's notification echoed in my head.

[Condition one complete. Recovering father's gift for combat.]

Mom, on the other hand, had just wrapped up an international conference. As soon as she pushed through the door and saw me drenched in blood, she frowned.

"What happened here? Look at this mess!"

With the last of my strength, I forced the words out. "Mom… save me. Just pay to get me to a hospital."

Before I'd chosen to stay in this world, Mom had been a struggling laborer. She'd worked construction, hauled bricks, and had even sold her blood on the black market to make ends meet.

She had endured every hardship imaginable. Her hands, rough and calloused, were proof that she had done everything to keep our family afloat.

I couldn't bear to watch her work herself to the bone. Thus, I sacrificed the fate that would have made me rich and traded it for her fortune instead.

I had condemned myself to a lifetime without wealth so she could build a business empire of unimaginable riches.

Later, believing I was simply bad with money, Mom transferred every share she owned into my name without a second thought.

But of course, those assets had long since ended up in Daniel's hands.

The instant Daniel heard what I said, he put on a worried look.

"Mom, I know money isn't an issue for us, but Clifford really needs to stop spending money like there's no tomorrow. I heard he's racked up a huge gambling debt."

I glared at him before turning back to Mom.

"I never gambled. Look at me, Mom... I'm injured all over. Just give me enough money to get to the hospital."

Hesitation flashed across her face.

But Daniel shrank behind her, feigning terror. "Clifford… the way you're looking at me is scary. You know I grew up poor. I used to have to make every dollar last."

As he spoke, tears streamed down his cheeks.

Mom instinctively shielded him. "Don't cry, Dan. You're the true heir to the Sullivan name. Everything I make is yours, and no one will ever take it from you."

Daniel immediately broke into a smile. Then, he pointed at me in disgust. "But Mom, Clifford stinks. He reeks of blood! He's dirtied the place, and now he's ruined the evening."

The moment he showed the slightest displeasure, Mom—the powerful businesswoman—sprang into action.

"Don't be upset. If he's dirty, I'll have him cleaned up."

Having said that, she snapped her fingers and several workers in hazmat suits carried in a massive industrial cleaning tank.

Then, barrel after barrel of highly concentrated industrial cleaning solution was brought in, each one worth a fortune.

At last, a decontamination crew marched in, armed with pressure washers and wire brushes.

Eager to curry favor with the world's richest woman, the guests erupted into thunderous applause.

Two bodyguards tossed me into the chemical-filled tank, as if I were trash.

"Mom! Are you really going to do this to me?" I bellowed. "You once shut down an entire hospital just because I nicked my finger!"