Chapter 9
Logan stepped forward, his voice dripping with that familiar edge of entitlement.
“Ran, we’ve known each other our whole lives. Don’t forget the bond we share. Just because you’ve come into money and status now doesn’t mean you get to discard us. Sure, we may have made a few mistakes, but that doesn’t mean you should leave us behind!”
Ben, standing beside him, looked at me with a serious expression. “Ran, think about this carefully. Nathan already knows that it was Logan who orchestrated all this. If your father truly cared about you and your future, why didn’t he turn Logan in? Why let Sisca–a nobody in the grand scheme of things–take the fall?”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the both of them. “You two don‘ t have the slightest clue about what goes on in a family like mine, do you? This isn’t some
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fantasy where loyalty and kindness are guaranteed. You‘ re only jealous because I’m in a better position than you’ll ever be.”
With a smirk, I turned my back on them, my voice cold. “Besides, isn’t Sisca the one you two kept fawning over? Why don‘ t you go and keep her company?”
Not waiting for an answer, I walked away, leaving them both stunned and speechless.
***
The day of the LinTech Cybersecurity Competition finally arrived. I wore the custom–tailored dress Nathan had personally selected for me, my heart pounding with anticipation and a hint of defiance. Waiting backstage, I could hear whispers from the audience, their words laced with suspicion and disdain.
“Did you hear? Two contestants apparently submitted the same entry.”
“Yeah, rumor has it that the newly found
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daughter of the Jo Family plagiarized the work of another competitor.”
“Poor other contestant doesn’t stand a chance–this whole competition was
practically tailored for the Jo girl. How can that be fair?”
My stomach twisted as I listened, but I kept my composure. Nathan had assured me this competition would be a defining moment, but it felt more like a trap. Then Logan appeared, his expression smug, clearly having heard the whispers himself.
“Ran, you should just accept your fate,” he sneered. “Everyone here knows you don‘ t belong in the Jo Family.‘”
I shot him a sharp look. “Logan, keep watching. We’ll see who doesn’t belong.”
When
my name was announced, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, the room filled with murmurs of “That’s the plagiarist?” and “The Jo Family is really
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hitting rock bottom, inviting someone like
her.
Nathan and Logan sat together in the front row, smirking as if they’d already won.
But I had one last move left.
I began my demonstration, fingers flying over the keyboard. The program ran smoothly and soon the screen filled with data–financial reports of the Jo Group. spanning the last decade. Rows upon rows of information appeared, revealing staggering evidence of tax evasion and financial misconduct.
A hush fell over the room.
“What’s happening?” someone whispered. “Did she just expose her own family’s finances?”
“Wait, wasn‘ t this supposed to be about her stealing code? What’s this?”
The shock spread, whispers growing louder until they filled the entire hall.
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Nathan’s face went pale and Logan, in a panic, was already trying to signal the tech crew to pull the power. Security guards rushed toward me, but I managed to dodge them, gripping the microphone tightly.
Bowing to the audience, I spoke with all the composure I could muster. “Ladies and gentlemen, I stand here today to expose a long–hidden truth. My father, Vincent Jo, founded the Jo Group with hard work and integrity. But his twin brother, Vinneas Jo, stole everything from him, trying to keep me out of the family. I’ve handed all this evidence over to the authorities. I hope you’ll watch this case closely.”
The audience was in an uproar, their disbelief turning into outrage. “Wait, I heard Boss Jo had a twin, but no one ever met him.”
“So, was all this talk of plagiarism just a cover–up?”
“This is a scandal like no other…”
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Logan stormed onto the stage, fury in his eyes. “Ran! What the hell do you think you‘ re doing?”
I met his gaze, unflinching. “What am I doing? I’m taking back what’s mine. This is only the beginning, Logan.”
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