Chapter 1

Ryan Smith glanced at me sideways and haughtily handed the card to the teacher.

Someone immediately gasped. "That's an exclusive black Centurion card. You need verified assets of more than one hundred million dollars to qualify for one!"

"Goodness… To think Jack Smith's family is this wealthy!"

Ryan clearly enjoyed everyone's praise and did not attempt to hide his arrogance. Then, he gave Lily a look that held both contempt and pity. "Blame your parents for not having five hundred thousand dollars, little girl. No matter how hard poor people like you work, you'll only ever be stepping stones for people like us."

Lily's face flushed red as she shouted angrily, "This isn't fair! I came in first!"

She had loved artificial intelligence since she was little and had spent three full years preparing for this competition. The chance to receive advanced training was everything she had dreamed of.

The surrounding parents began talking over one another, and someone even sighed.

"This is far too cruel for the girl."

"But that's what wealth means, especially at an international private school like ours. Wealth brings privilege, and fairness means nothing in the face of privilege. It's a lesson she has to learn as she grows up."

Even the teacher shook her head at Lily. "Rules are rules."

Jack laughed even more arrogantly. "I told you that you could never beat me, Lily. What good is talent?! All your hard work is worthless in front of me. Dad, can I go receive my award now?"

Ryan gave me a smug look and said to his son, "Of course."

Lily's little face turned to a frown. Her eyes turned red as she stubbornly repeated, "I came in first… I came in first!"

My heart ached, but her stubbornness also made me want to smile. I bent down and whispered in her ear.

Her eyes widened. "Dad, is that true?"

I nodded. "Just watch."

As Jack walked toward the stage, the teacher suddenly hurried over and said, "Mr. Ryan, this card has been frozen. It can't be used at all!"

Ryan frowned and raised his voice. "How is that possible? It must be because you don't know how to use it!"

The teacher had no choice but to hand him the card reader. It beeped, and an automated female voice came out. "Card unreadable!"

"How is that possible?" Ryan took a step back in shock.

Several other parents could not help but laugh.

"Did you find that card on the street?"

"Why pretend to be rich when you don't even have five hundred thousand dollars? Aren't you embarrassed?"

Ryan's face tightened with anger. He gritted his teeth and tried the card repeatedly.

"Card unreadable."

"Card unreadable."

The laughter and chatter amongst the crowd grew louder.

Jack became anxious, too. "Dad, what's going on? I still need to take my award!"

I looked at Ryan's embarrassed expression and stepped forward with a smile. "Since Mr. Ryan can't pay the five hundred thousand dollars, the first place still belongs to my daughter."

Lily had already brightened as she winked at me and started toward the stage.

"Wait! Something's wrong with the card, but that doesn't mean I can't come up with the money. My son is the only one getting that award today."

Ryan glared at me darkly, then made a call. The voice of my wife, Claire, soon came through from the other end.