Chapter 2

After the SATs were over, Camden happily hugged Mom and coyly said, "I feel so good because Clay didn't take his exams this time, Mom. Maybe I might even be able to score full marks and be named the national top scorer."

Mom ruffled his hair affectionately and said, "Of course. After all, you're the best, Cam. Clay can't win against you. Go ahead and tell me what you want for your present."

Camden tilted his head to the side before suddenly looking at me. "You're giving me a present even though I did so well on the exams? Why don't you give Clay a present instead to comfort him in advance?"

Camden was always like that. Although it looked like he was speaking up for my sake, in reality, every word that he said was to trample me under his feet.

Cassandra pulled out her phone with a smile and said, "I have to reward you for being so thoughtful of Clay's feelings even though you did so well on the exams, Cam. Although you didn't sit for your exams, Clay, Cam still wants to give you a present. That's why I'm going to give both of you a present, alright?"

Both Camden's and my phones chimed seconds after the words left her lips.

"1,600 dollars?" Camden exclaimed. "You're so good to me, Cass! I love you so much!"

He then hugged Cassandra and planted a kiss on her cheek. "You should check your phone too, Clay! How much money did Cass give you?"

I wasn't even able to lift a finger before Rebecca snatched my phone out of my hand and tapped on the transaction notification.

One cent.

"You're being a little too biased, Cass," Camden said, shooting a faux-stern look at Cassandra. "Why did you give Clay so little money?"

Cassandra spread her arms and said, "You misunderstand me, Cam. I'm a very fair person. I gave you 1,600 dollars because you scored full marks for your SAT. Clay didn't even take the exams. I'm being nice to him for even giving him a single cent."

"Well, that does make sense when you put it that way," Camden said with a nod. "You can't blame Cass for only giving you one cent, Clay. It's not her fault that your stomach acted up during the exam."

I quietly retrieved my phone from Rebecca. I then rose to my feet and turned around, preparing to leave.

After all, they were only planning to celebrate Camden's achievements regardless of whether I was present or absent.

"Clay, don't tell me you're upset because I did well in the exams?"

I didn't even manage to get a word in before Mom and the others immediately shot warning looks at me as if they were terrified that I would make Camden unhappy in the next second.

"No," I answered. "I'm just going to my room to get my present for you."

I returned to my room and immediately spotted my most precious treasures on my desk.

It was Holwille University's badge. Rebecca had given it to me, telling me that she would wait for me to join her at Holwille.

Cassandra had given me the brass fountain pen, telling me that I would certainly achieve success in my studies.

Mom asked the church to bless the study charm, telling me that I would definitely pass my exams with flying colors.

However, I didn't want any of these items anymore. Just like how I didn't want the people who gave them to me anymore.

I grabbed them before heading back to the living room, saying, "These are for you, Cam."

Mom's face twisted when she realized what I was holding.

"Didn't I give you that study charm, Clay?" she asked.

I smiled as I looked at her, saying, "That's right, Mom. I don't have much money, so I couldn't afford to buy something new for Cam. So, I had no choice but to give away my most precious treasures to him."

Mom was briefly stunned before she said, "But I told Cass to give you some allowance."

"I spent all of the money to comfort Cam when he was feeling out of sorts," Cassandra explained, scratching her head awkwardly. "Besides, Clay doesn't need to spend money anyway. We can just treat it as him doing his part to make Cam feel better."

I couldn't help but feel how ironic her words were at that moment.

Camden could get everything that he wanted because his results weren't good and he was feeling out of sorts. Meanwhile, I couldn't even afford to buy a few mock test papers.

I had to work to earn money for myself. But they had no idea that I returned home late every night due to my part-time job because they were busy comforting Camden whenever I came home.

I had a gut feeling that I didn't matter to them at all in their hearts.

Since Camden was so important to them, and they trusted him with all their hearts, I didn't mind giving them a grand present.

"Didn't Cam ask you to give me a present to comfort me, Mom?" I asked. "I don't need any comfort. I just want you to give him a new present on my behalf, Mom."

A relieved smile broke across Mom's face when she realized that I was being mature.

"What do you want to give him?" she asked. "You can count on me to fulfill your wish."

"Why don't we host a celebratory banquet for Cam? Let's invite everyone we know and celebrate together!"