Chapter 3

I was endlessly humiliated and tormented at the dog training center. One day, in a rare moment of mercy, Dad decided to take me away from there.

The love and expectations that I used to harbor for him had disappeared over the last month. The only things that were left were the wounds all over my body and a bottomless well of hatred.

Dad was wearing his familiar, gentle smile. He reached out to me, looking like he wanted to pull me into his arms.

I reflexively fell to my knees and whimpered, "Don't hurt me. I'll be good and obedient."

My reaction pleased Dad. His eyes were full of heartbreak and helplessness when he crouched down and cradled my face.

"You've lost so much weight, Isaac," he said. "I feel so upset just looking at you. But you have to understand that everything that I do is for your sake. You'll still be my dear son as long as you behave and listen to me."

I looked down, using my lashes to hide the raging animosity in my eyes. I curled my hands into tight fists and used the pain to remind myself to stay calm. I then looked up and smoothly fixed an amicable smile on my face.

"I understand, Dad," I said hoarsely, intentionally presenting myself as a coward who needed to rely on him. "I was wrong. I'll listen to everything that you say from now on, and I won't learn those useless things. Please don't cast me aside, Dad."

I reached out to him, carefully grabbing the hem of his shirt and tugging on it gently.

Dad jolted, though the movement was so discreet that it was barely noticeable. A few seconds later, I clearly heard his joyous thoughts.

"I've done it! I've completely broken this villain's spirit. He's behaving just like a dog now, wagging his tail and begging me for my favor. You told me it was incredibly difficult to conquer the villains in this world, system. Well, it doesn't seem all that hard to me."

A hint of contempt flickered across his eyes, but his smile grew more genuine. He pulled me into his embrace and patted my back gently, asking, "Why would I ever cast you aside, my dear son? I love you the most. I bought a lot of delicious food for you. Let's hurry home now."

I was gentle and docile as I leaned against him, reminiscent of an obedient dog that had finally found its way home.

…

I didn't take a step out of the house from that day on. I also didn't do anything else except for eating, drinking, and playing to my heart's content.

Dad still thought about testing me in the beginning, hiding in a corner to spy on me after intentionally leaving the door unlocked or leaving his phone in my line of sight.

However, I didn't react at all. I didn't even spare them a single glance and only touched the things that he allowed me to.

Dad also tested me by asking if I wanted to go to school. Playing along with him, I fixed a fearful and repulsed expression on my face before hiding behind him.

He completely let his guard down around me after he was finally satisfied.

I knew that Dad was waiting to complete his final mission. Over the past few days, I had managed to glean key information after listening in on his silent conversations with the system.

I was the illegitimate son of Brenda Clairmont, the sole heiress of the Clairmont family, which was one of the top three families in Seafair. As a result of a recent attack by her enemies, Brenda could no longer conceive, making me her only child.

"The original Isaac Clairmont showed extraordinary mathematical talent when he was only ten years old. He skipped several grades and showed a stellar performance at several competitions. He was also accepted into Porterson University through a special exception.

"He was also a natural at handling the family's affairs after returning to the Clairmont family and became the youngest head in their history."

Dad's thoughts took on a smug edge.

"But I've completely broken this Isaac's spirit. When Brenda comes looking for him and lays eyes on his stupid and foolish appearance, she'll probably adopt a child from one of the branch families over acknowledging him as her son.

"This way, he won't become the head of the Clairmont family. He also won't become the villain of this world."

Dad's thoughts took a cruel and sinister turn then.

"I'll completely eliminate him when that happens. I'll take him to international waters and squeeze what little value he has left out of him by selling his organs."

Dad was going to mold me into a useless piece of trash with his own two hands before leaving me to rot in this world.