Chapter 3

"You probably didn't know this, Uncle Elijah—Dad casually mentioned that everyone should come along, and Grandpa paid for all the relatives' tickets! He even told everyone that Dad was the one who footed the bill!" Felix made sure to send a voice message just to rub it in.

I checked my social media, and sure enough, Dad shared another post. "Jacob is truly capable! He brought all his uncles and aunts to Yalara for a trip!"

Jacob left a fake-modest comment under the post. "I didn't plan well enough and should have bought the tickets sooner. I didn't manage to get first-class tickets since they were completely booked, so I feel terrible making my aunts and uncles settle for economy."

Our relatives had praised Jacob for his abilities, while I had been treated as incompetent.

"It's a good thing Jacob remembered to get a ticket for us, unlike some people—I bet they've never even experienced economy seating!"

"I mean, this is what true ability looks like! I don't get the point of doing well in your studies if you're still unwilling to buy a flight ticket for your aunt!"

Dad had bought those tickets recently, and since I had already unlinked the "Family Sharing Account", Dad was unknowingly using his own money to pay for them. Those tickets likely added up to tens of thousands of dollars.

It turned out that Dad had the money all along; he just never had any intention of spending a cent on me.

It was clear that Mom and Dad's modest savings would never last at that rate of spending.

I rushed to the branch in Kaelum as soon as I got off the train. I worked as the general manager at a company in the hotel and catering business, and I had initially intended to bring Mom and Dad to stay there.

I had just arrived at the branch when I spotted Dad and the others walking in. It was the most luxurious hotel available in Yalara.

It was then that the branch manager, Fred Hill, looked at me and asked, "M-Mr. Hunt?"

I simply stated, "Get me to the surveillance room."

I saw Dad leading the group in the surveillance footage, swaggering confidently. "I'm telling you—this is a five-star hotel that costs thousands of dollars per night; only someone as successful as Jacob could afford it."

Upon hearing Dad's remarks, all the relatives looked at Jacob with fawning expressions.

Jacob raised his head arrogantly and addressed the receptionist at the front desk, saying, "Give us the best rooms you have."

Dad took out his phone to pay, saying, "You see, Jacob set up a 'Family Sharing Account' for me, which means that everything spent today comes from Jacob."

Jacob quickly chimed in, saying, "It's only right that I take care of you, Dad."

Dad handed his phone over, ready to complete the payment.

It was just that the receptionist suddenly frowned and said, "I'm sorry, but the transaction didn't go through since there are insufficient funds. Do you have another payment method you can use, sir?"

Dad was momentarily stunned. "How is that possible?"

He immediately checked his phone, his voice tinged with panic while exclaiming, "Why is the 'Family Sharing Account' unlinked? Oh, my God! I can't believe I actually used my own money for those plane tickets!"

I immediately noticed Dad's distressed expression. I had never seen him look so distressed before. I realized then that he actually did value money; he simply never valued the money that belonged to me.

"Why did you unlink the account, Jacob? Your father barely has any money in his bank account as it is.

"I know, right? Didn't you say you'd cover the whole trip to Yalara, Jacob? You'd better not come asking me for money. I don't have any."

"You're not out of money, are you, Jacob?"

Jacob immediately panicked. He replied nervously, "W-What are you talking about? How could I be out of money? I'm sure it's a payment system issue. I'll check it out right now."

Those people waiting in line behind them started getting impatient.

"How much longer is this going to take? Hurry it up!"

"You should just move out of the way if you can't pay! You're holding up the rest of us!"

Dad snapped, "What are you yelling for? I'm going to pay right now!"

However, even the combined money Dad and Jacob had wasn't enough for them to book a room for one night. Dad was also very stingy with money. He would never spend that much just to host his siblings.

Dad quickly dialed a number on his phone.

In the next second, my phone started ringing—it was Dad calling.