Chapter 4

Dad did not want to set a bad example for me, so he was super serious about school. In just three months, he went from the bottom to the top 50 in his grade.

Every day after school, he made time to take me to the park or to a movie. His villainous side faded more and more, and even the system was starting to retire.

However, the best part? Dad hugged me and sang me to sleep every night. I felt so happy I thought I might pass out. I believed he would not have another dark turn, and we would stay happy forever.

However, one day, the Smith family threw a huge party. Grandpa was about to reveal that Chester Smith was his secret son.

The system that had been quiet for so long suddenly woke up. "Kiddo, Yale's going to change his will, and Elliot won't even get his mom's ashes! And they're planning to ruin Elliot's good name. Even if they don't kick him out of the Smith family, he'll be the one everyone picks on!"

Just imagining my dad looking so defeated made my heart hurt. I felt sad and a bit scared.

The system told me that even though I had watched lots of TV shows and learned so much from the internet, I was still just a kid. Kids could not protect grown-ups. I was scared I could not protect my dad.

"What's wrong?" Dad rubbed my face, "Who made our princess unhappy?"

I linked my pinky with his. "Dad, no matter what happens, promise you won't turn dark, okay? We'll find a way out of this."

He paused, confused.

Before he could figure out what I meant, Julia had already ushered us into the party.

Dad saw the necklace around her neck, and his face turned stormy in an instant. "That's my mom's necklace! Who said you could wear it?!"

Julia smirked at him. "She's gone, Elliot. Now, everything she had is mine."

The tension in Dad's mind snapped. His darkening level instantly shot up to 100%. He yanked Julia's hair, grabbing her throat, "Give me that necklace!"

"Dad, stop!" I tried to run to them, but a bodyguard held me back.

The spotlight hit us.

A sea of guests stared at me and Dad with scorn in their eyes.

Grandpa had someone save Julia, and then he glared at Dad, who was pinned to the floor. "Today, I want to introduce my youngest son. Chester will be the future heir of the Smith family.

"I also want you all to see for yourselves—Elliot has attacked an elder. Not only that, but he also had a child before marriage, picked on his family, and doesn't care about his studies. He's not fit to be part of the Smith family!

"From now on, I, Yale, have only one son, and that's Chester!"

Julia put on a scared face and let out a fake sob. "Elliot, you always wanted to leave the Smith family, right? Well, now you got your wish."

Dad's face was frigid, and his eyes looked like a storm was about to burst.

There I was, right next to him, proof of the mistake of having a baby before marriage.

"Oh my, if his mom were still here, this would've broken her heart."

"A big mess in a rich family... He's been kicked out by the Smith family!"

"People like him are bound to end up in trouble. Lock him up before he does something worse!"

"I always knew he was no good!"

That was not true!

Their harsh words cut through me like knives.

I yelled out, "My dad is the best, the very best!"

However, nobody cared what I had to say. They even laughed at me.

"Does a kid like you even deserve to talk?"

I did not know who started it, but suddenly, drinks were splashed all over me. Glasses were thrown at my head, and blood ran down my face.

Dad gasped for air and tried to rush to my side like he had lost his mind. "Don't you dare touch her! She's just a kid! If you want to hit someone, hit me!"

He screamed with all his might, his eyes filled with pain.

Grandpa looked pretty happy with himself as he had someone pull down the big screen.

"Now, let's take a look at my ex-wife's will," he announced.

However, when the screen flickered on, instead of the will, it was a video of Grandpa hitting Dad right outside the police station. Grandpa's face went white as a ghost.