Affluent Parents Pretending to be Poor

He noticed me too, clearly surprised. He paused to look me up and down, a sneer on his face. "Not so dumb after all, knowing to show up here!"

I was stunned. So, he knew about my existence too!

"Why? Why is it like this?"

"Kael, am I their adopted daughter? Or are you all working on some project, and I'm just a subject for your observation and experiments?"

Kael seemed to perceive my confusion. He raised an eyebrow and wagged a finger. "No, you're also a Harrington Estate, a biological daughter."

"As for why you were raised poor, there's only one reason. It's because I am the sole heir to Harrington Estate!"

"Vivienne, you were born just one minute before me. What right do you have to compete with me?"

"This isn't a place for you. Get lost, quick!"

"Poor thing, don't look at me like that. Mom and Dad put a lot of effort into raising you!"

"Oh, and don't go visit Grandpa and Grandma for holidays anymore. They're old and don't have the energy to play pretend with you!"

Harrington Estate rushed inside. I stood outside for a long while, finally understanding.My birth and Kael's seem to be tied to the inheritance of the family fortune.

But what did I do wrong? I just wanted to receive the most sincere love from Mom and Dad.

They've lied to me for so many years, but their kindness towards me was also real.

Only now, as I look at the mansion and that motorcycle, I'm starting to doubt how much of their kindness towards me was genuine.

I turn to leave.

Before I go, I call Dad: "Dad, are you coming home for dinner tonight?"

"Not tonight, Vivienne. I'm working overtime. These three days over the holiday are all bonus pay!"

"Oh, and it's the same for your mom!"

But I can clearly hear the roar of a motorcycle in the background of his call.

I softly respond with a "Mm-hmm," having already made a decision deep in my heart.

Back home, I start packing my things while signing up for a special research project announced by the hospital.

This project is taking place out west. It's a three-year commitment, isolated from the world. No one will disturb me there.

After I finish packing, I develop the photo I took earlier of Kael's back and place it on the bedside table at home.

That day, they didn't come home. I was the only one in the house.

I try calling Dad again, but no one answers.Simultaneously, Harrington Estate's subsidiary Kael Corporation began distributing bonuses, with employees expressing gratitude to their boss on Twitter.

She was just an ordinary employee, yet her bonus envelope contained three thousand dollars!

Many employees were also showcasing the company's benefits.

My parents were conspicuously on stage, one in a suit and the other holding a glass of wine. My mom wore exquisite makeup, exuding an air of elegance.

Below the stage, Kael was surrounded by people like a celebrity, along with their family portrait.

My parents seemed certain that I was too busy making money to pay attention to online gossip.

They forgot that I'm just an ordinary girl, raised in humble circumstances. How could I not be interested?

A reporter interviewed them, asking about their New Year's plans.

My dad faced the camera, "This year, my son Kael turns twenty-two. We arrange a trip every year, and we're leaving today!"

My heart suddenly sank. I'm also twenty-two, but the farthest I've been was a school field trip to the local zoo in elementary school.

I snorted, picking up my ID, caressing it.

Ironically, after I started college, my parents transferred my household registration to the school.

They said I was an adult now and had to be responsible for myself.Now is the perfect time to leave.

I pick up my luggage and walk away without hesitation.

Goodbye forever, Dad and Mom!