What Alexander didn't realize was that Amy had already secured early admission to the prestigious Solmaris Conservatory.

Yet Amy, young and fiercely independent, refused the card he offered her.

Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're barely a year younger than Aurora, but you couldn't be more different. Just take it, alright? If it's not enough, come to us—or to Dad. You're family now. Life outside these walls can't compare to what we can give you. Designer dresses, jewelry, even a car—just name it. We’ll make sure you have everything. We don’t want anyone thinking we’re neglecting you."

Ask for more? Make a wish list?

She hadn’t even been in the house for an hour, and they were already pushing her toward reckless spending.

It didn’t feel like a homecoming—it felt like they expected her to play the role of the spoiled heiress.

If she indulged them, it would only give them another reason to dismiss her.

Amy had never lacked for anything growing up. Back in her hometown, she was the golden girl—brilliant, accomplished, and from a well-respected family.

She refused to be pitied.

Alexander studied her stubborn expression before quietly tucking the card back into his wallet.

No one else ever found out—not Harrison, not Nathaniel.

A million dollars in spending money might sound extravagant, but in the Harrington family, it was barely a footnote. Financial transactions were handled discreetly by the family’s private accountants.

Even when Amy left after the scandal, Harrison—despite his harsh words—never actually froze her accounts. She was still his daughter, after all. That money would have been more than enough to live comfortably.

To this day, Harrison still believed she had access to those funds.

Genevieve’s voice snapped Amy out of her thoughts.

"Celeste, does the Harrington family really not know where you went to school? The last time I mentioned you to your brother, he was stunned when I said you graduated from Solmaris."

Amy’s lips curved into a bitter smile. "I only attended high school in Solmaris for a few months before the Conservatory accepted me. They assumed I was still in school. I meant to tell them, but at the time, the entire household was too busy debating Aurora’s future. No one had time for me."

The truth was, the tension in the house had been unbearable. Harrison and his sons were constantly at odds, the air thick with unspoken arguments.

Everyone—including her brothers and Aurora—insisted Aurora should study business. Only Harrison disagreed.

No one spared a thought for Amy.

The few times she managed to speak to Harrison, he dismissed her with a wave of his hand, instructing his assistant to transfer more money whenever she mentioned needing anything.

Three months later, Aurora finally relented.

She chose a prestigious music conservatory instead—not Solmaris, but still one of the world’s top ten.

The night before Aurora made her decision, Harrison and Nathaniel called Amy into the study.

"Evelyn," Harrison began carefully, "we’ve decided to grant Aurora fifteen percent of the Harrington estate. You know how difficult this college debate has been. I want her to pursue music, but she’s resisting—she wants to prove herself in business. It’s tearing this family apart."