Chapter 2

Soon, the government personnel arrived and explained the system.

“For the system to function properly, all family assets will be securely linked to the platform. It evaluates parental fairness objectively and makes necessary adjustments to ensure equality.”

As a business owner, my father was hesitant, and he wanted to review the contract carefully.

Meanwhile, Jacob hastily signed his name.

“The government wouldn’t launch something unreliable. Come on, Dad. How can you keep hesitating when Annie’s still suffering?”

Hearing this, both of my parents signed it without much thought.

I read through every clause meticulously and only signed after confirming all the details.

Jacob mocked me, “You’ve always played the victim, as though we’ve been mistreating you. Don’t play innocent after taking advantage of us. Today, you’ll see what real fairness looks like.”

My mother walked over to me and said, “We’re doing this for your own good. Showing you constant favoritism will only do you more harm in the long run.”

I smiled wryly.

“I understand.”

After my father signed the contract, he was in high spirits.

“Let’s eat, everyone. I asked Maria to cook extra tonight. They’re all Annie’s favorites. My sweet girl deserves to be pampered.”

Dish after dish was brought to the table. Each was exquisite in appearance and aroma.

Before us was a spread of whole steamed lobsters, truffle risotto, delicate cups of clear and aromatic consomme, and even Julianne’s favorite steak tartare.

The aroma made my stomach growl, so I took a seat at the dining table.

On ordinary days, I could only eat with the servants. I never had access to such fresh foods.

Since the system was active, did that mean I could finally join the table like Julianne? It was supposed to make everything equal after all.

However, my brother frowned and stopped me.

“Hey, hold on. We’re trying to have a nice family dinner for once. Do you have to barge in? Just go to your room.”

I did not budge.

“This isn’t fair. We’ve signed up for the fairness system. If Julianne gets to eat here, so do I.”

Julianne’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, and my mother looked at her with pity.

She then turned to me and said, “Please, Annie isn’t comfortable eating with you yet. It upsets her. Can’t you just eat in your room like always?”

“No. I’m eating here.”

My father slammed his spoon and fork onto the table.

“How dare you talk back? Who do you think you are?”

Before he could slap me, his whole body convulsed, and he collapsed to the floor.

The system’s cold voice rang out.

[Unfair favoritism and domestic violence detected. Electric shock protocol activated.]

Immediately after, my mother fell to the floor too. A crackling sound could be heard coming from her body.

“Dad! Mom!”

Julianne and Jacob were frantic. The moment they tried to touch our father and mother, they also experienced painful shocks.

After a few minutes, their convulsions finally stopped.

They got up from the floor with some help, and my father looked terrified.

“When did this piece-of-junk system get a shock feature? What gives you the right to electrocute us?!”

[Julianne Dawson is permitted to dine at the table, while Zinnia Dawson is required to eat leftovers in her room. This behavior is classified as severe parental favoritism.

[Rest assured that the system’s electrical stimulus is designed to cause no physical harm, only pain. When necessary, punishment may reach level ten, which is equivalent to the pain of childbirth.]

My father wrapped his arms around himself in fear as he cursed, “Annie already gave up her position as the Dawson family’s heiress. She has sacrificed enough! Does it matter if Zinnia eats alone? This system is garbage! I want to terminate it right now!”

[The system reserves the right of final interpretation.

[You are bound to the contract for life and currently do not have termination privileges.]

“What level of pain did we experience earlier?” my mother cautiously asked.

[Level 5.]

I felt a sense of satisfaction unlike any I had ever known as I watched my parents’ anger and helplessness.

So, this was what the Children’s Fairness System felt like. I was elated!

My mother waved her hand and pulled me to the dining table.

“Fine. It’s just a meal. You can have it.”

Since I had gained the rights I deserved, I felt a strong urge to test just how far this system could go.