After dinner ended, Debbie pulled me aside. "What the fuck was that? When did you get so into the family business?" she huffed, her eyes narrowing at me.
I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I'm just trying to help you, Debbie," I assured her. This sneaky bitch was running around here trying to act like she knew more about business than I ever could. I'd show her real quick who's meant to be in charge.
"How was that helping me? You just made me look really stupid in front of Eli!" Debbie whined, her voice rising in pitch.
"Listen, Deb, do you know why I wasn't interested in the family business for so long?" I asked, lowering my voice conspiratorially. "It was because Eli was interested in his family business. He's going to inherit everything and he prefers to be the one taking care of people, so I gave up on myself for him."
Debbie gasped. "That's crazy."
"That's what I sacrificed for love. I don't even know if it's worth it, but you should get to know," I told her. "Trust me, I've been his friend since we were in diapers. Eli wants a good obedient housewife, just like how his parents are. If you get a job..."
"He won't be interested in me if I work? Oh my god, I've only been talking about business with him," Debbie freaked out, her eyes widening with realization. Seriously?
"Didn't he only talk to you because Dad didn't want to talk business with you?" I smiled at her. Her dumbass thought for a few seconds and then nodded along. "He gave you extra attention and talked to you about things besides business for once because you were more like a housewife in that moment."
"I see!" She giggled. "So he likes girls that want to be housewives. I'd have to give up being an heir to be able to do that."
"What's more important to you? Do you want to be an heir and lose Eli and work as hard as Mom and Dad for the rest of your life for a position you have a 50% chance of getting? Or do you want to be the spoiled wife of Elijah Roth?" I asked. I must be playing the part of the concerned older brother really well because she was just eating this shit up.
"Your method does work," she mumbled. "But my future..."
"Oh please, no matter what, aren't you my sister? Haven't I always taken care of you and been on your side? Your future is secure because you're a Spencer, so you don't really have to worry about it," I petted her head. I was always told that I was better than others because I was a Spencer, but now I was going to use that arrogance to take Debbie down.
"O-of course, I knew that," Debbie exhaled in relief. "I just didn't think you'd help me so much with this."
"Deb, I promise you I just want to help. That's why I sat in the garden earlier and ordered the wine. I knew Eli would try to come find me, and I left so you two could have a romantic conversation. Don't tell me... you talked about business then too?"
"Yes!"
"Well, the dinner probably fixed that! Now you have a better chance with him!" I said.
"You're right! Even if I give up being an heiress, I'm still a Spencer. I don't have to do this boring business shit anymore," she said, giving me that repulsive fake hug again. "I'll go walk Eli out!"
She turned and ran from my presence quickly, and I let my smile drop. What a dumb bitch! How the hell did I lose to someone like that in my last life?
"Erwin?" I called out. He rounded the corner and walked up to me. Luckily, he was always nearby. "From now on, don't listen to Eli's orders."
"Did you get in a fight with young master Roth?" Erwin asked.
"No."
"Then is he one of the people after your life?" Erwin followed up.
"After my life? That's too extreme. I just don't want the disturbance anymore. Things are going to change around here," I said. "I need to make sure nothing gets in my way, especially that guy."
"Yes, sir!" Erwin said turning off the light as I climbed into bed. "It's good to see the young master is interested in fixing the family business."
In my last life, I was so determined to fix Eli and tie him to me for life, but to my bitter disappointment, I realized you can't fix incompetent human beings. As long as I'm still invested, Eli will continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. I really thought I was happy, but I was only clinging onto a silly dream. I don't trust Eli or his feelings. To be perfectly honest, he disgusts me just as much as Debbie did.
I died a tragic death because of them. Only after losing my life did I realize what was actually important and the head start I'd taken for granted. I don't need to give up my life for scumbags like them.
The sun streamed through the tall windows of the mansion's grand dining room, casting a golden glow on the polished oak table the next morning. The clink of silverware against china filled the air as we ate breakfast. The room was silent save for the sounds of our meal, a silence that was familiar and heavy. Mom, Dad, Debbie, and I sat in our usual places, each absorbed in our own thoughts.
"Mommy, Daddy, I have something to say," Debbie announced, her voice breaking the silence. Her tone was steady, but I noticed the slight tremor in her hand as she set down her fork.
Dad glanced up from his newspaper, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, Debbie?" His voice was as cold and professional as ever, devoid of any warmth.
"I've decided that I don't want to be an heir to the family business," Debbie said, her gaze meeting his directly. "I'm not interested in taking over at all."
I hid my smile behind a sip of orange juice. I hadn't really thought I could manipulate her into this so easily, but here she was, making just the announcement I'd hoped for.
In my last life, I'd made this announcement myself and Dad nearly killed me. I wonder how they'll deal with her now.
There was a moment of stunned silence. Mom continued to butter her toast, her expression now indifferent. Dad set down his newspaper slowly, his movements measured and controlled.
"And why, pray tell, have you come to this decision?" he asked, his voice icy.
Debbie squared her shoulders. "Because I've found something more important to me. I want to pursue love and happiness, not just success in the business world."
Dad's expression hardened. "Love? Happiness? Those are fleeting, emotional concepts. The business is part of your legacy, your duty."
Debbie shook her head. "No, daddy. It's your legacy, not mine. I've never felt a passion for the business like you do. I don't want to spend my life doing something that doesn't fulfill me."
His eyes bore into hers, a storm brewing behind his calm exterior. "You are being incredibly shortsighted, Deborah. Do you understand the responsibilities you're shirking? The sacrifices that have been made to secure this family's future?"
"I understand perfectly," Debbie replied, her voice firm. I could tell she thought about this a lot. "But I also understand that living a life that doesn't make me happy is not worth it. I've seen what it's done to you, to Mom. I don't want that for myself."
Dad's fist clenched on the table, but he kept his voice even. "This is absurd. You have no idea what you're talking about. This is nothing more than a childish rebellion."
"It's not a rebellion," Debbie insisted. "It's a choice. My choice. I've given this a lot of thought, and I've made my decision."
Mom finally looked up, her eyes flicking between Dad and Debbie, but she remained silent, her face showing nothing but detachment.
Dad's jaw tightened. "You will reconsider. This family cannot afford such foolishness."
"I won't reconsider," Debbie said, standing her ground. "I'm sorry if this disappoints you, Daddy, but I need to live my own life."
"Your life is intertwined with this family's fortunes," Dad snapped. "You don't get to simply walk away from that."
"I can, and I will," Debbie replied. "I'm choosing to follow my own path, not the one laid out for me."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Dad glared at Debbie, his authority challenged in a way he'd never experienced before in his life. I kept my expression neutral, hiding the satisfaction I felt. Debbie had made her stand.
I'm just glad it wasn't me.
Dad's incredulous look quickly turned into a bitter laugh, sharp and cutting. "Stupid girl," he muttered, shaking his head. "Jack, it seems you will be the sole inheritor of the family business."
I felt a strange mix of emotions as he said this, his words heavy with both responsibility and a twisted form of praise. "Thank you, Dad. I won't let you down," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. It wouldn't be appropriate to laugh.
Dad's gaze flicked back to Debbie, his eyes cold and disdainful. "Debbie, your brother understands what it means to step up to the plate. Unlike you, he comprehends the value of our legacy and the importance of maintaining it."
Debbie remained calm, her expression unwavering. "I'm glad Jack is willing to take on the responsibility. It's what he wants, and it's what you want. But it's not what I want."
Dad scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Of course, Jack is more than capable. He has shown some promise and dedication. Unlike some people at this table."
Under the table, Debbie gave me a quick thumbs-up, as if we were in on some secret plan of hers. I returned the gesture, masking my true feelings behind a composed exterior. She was such a stupid girl, thinking she could manipulate me as easily as she believed she had.
"Jack will be the one to lead this family into the future," Dad continued, his tone almost gleeful in its malice. "He will carry the weight that you, Debbie, are too weak and selfish to bear."
Debbie didn't flinch. "Jack will do a great job, I'm sure. But I won't compromise my happiness for something that doesn't fulfill me."
Dad's expression darkened further, a sneer curling his lips. "Your happiness," he spat. "Such a naive, childish concept. You're throwing away everything for a fleeting emotion."
"I'm choosing my path," Debbie replied calmly. "Just as Jack is choosing his. I wish him all the best in his endeavors."
I nodded, trying to appear dutiful and grateful. "I wont mess it up, dad."
Dad nodded approvingly at me. "I know you won't, Jack. You actually understand what it means to be a part of this family. You're willing to make the sacrifices necessary."
Mom continued to butter her toast, her eyes glazed over as if she were a million miles away from this confrontation. She had always stayed out of these matters, and I see today was no different.
"Debbie, you can live in your fantasy world of love and happiness," Dad said with a dismissive wave. "But don't come crying to us when reality sets in and you realize the foolishness of your decisions."
Debbie smiled slightly, her composure unbroken. "I won't, Daddy. I know what I'm doing."
As the tension in the room slowly ebbed, I couldn't help but feel my triumph. Debbie thought she had orchestrated this, but she was just playing into my hands. She would be out of the picture, leaving me with the full inheritance and control over the house.
Breakfast continued in a strained silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. Debbie's defiance had set the stage for a new chapter in our family's saga, and I was ready to seize the opportunity it presented.