Chapter 789
After Ellinor reminded him, Byran remembered the formula she had once taught him. It seemed like it could help him finally deal with the question.
Suddenly, it all clicked into place for him, and he knew how to solve the problem. But he stubbornly grumbled, “Hmph, I don’t need your help”
Ellinor didn’t bat an eye at his attitude. She put down her pen and said, “I’m off to the loo. If you haven’t figured it out by the time I’m back, don’t blame me for having a good laugh.”
With that, she breezed past Byran and disappeared into the restroom in his room, shutting the door behind her.
Byran watched her retreating figure, then bowed his head and started seriously working on the problem, keeping in mind the formula from his memory.
Suddenly, there was a knock at his door. Byran, with his homework still unfinished, tensed up. He thought Balfour was back to check on his work.
“Byran, are you in there?”
After hearing his mom’s voice, Byran let out a sigh of relief.
“Mom, come on in! I’m working on my homework!”
His mom walked in and asked, “Byran, how come you haven’t finished your homework yet?”
Byran scratched his head. “The homework Balfour left me today is kinda tough, that’s why I’m a bit slow.”
His mom sighed and said, “Byran, you really need to buckle down. How am I supposed to face your grandparents if you don’t get into university this year?”
Byran frowned. “What does me getting into university have to do with your dignity in front of my grandparents?”
His mom looked troubled. “Of course it does! We could’ve pulled some strings to get you into a good university, but your brother wouldn’t hear of it. He insists our family doesn’t ride on coattails. If you don’t get into university this year, won’t that prove that the son I gave birth to is less smart than the one from your dad’s ex–wife?”
Byran was annoyed. “Mom, that’s just the way it is. I can’t hold a candle to Balfour.”
His mom looked disappointed. “That’s why I want you to try your best! I’ve been through a lot at home. If it weren’t for your sister always standing up for me, nobody here would give me the time of day. Byran, I just hope you can take over the family business, so I can have some dignity here!”
Byran said dismissively, “Mom, I’ve told you, don’t hold your breath for me to take over the family business. I’m not interested in that! And I don’t want to fight with Balfour over the inheritance. Even if I did inherit the business, I wouldn’t run it as well as him. I’d rather do what I want to do.”
“What do you want to do? What can you do besides play video games all day? Byran, can you stop making me worry? If you don’t fight for the family business, then when your father is gone and I’m old, Balfour will kick us out!”
“Mom, Balfour is not like that. He won’t turn against me. If he wanted to guard against me, why would he spend so much time and energy helping me study and setting high academic standards for me?
Mrs. Howard frowned deeply and said, “This situation puzzles me. Balfour has been tutoring you for so many years, but your grades haven’t improved at all. I think he might be deliberately not teaching you well. If he was really doing his best then how could you not even get into an ordinary university?”
Byran said helplessly and guiltily, “Mom, this is my problem, not Balfour’s. I just think I’m naturally bad at studying.”
Mrs. Howard was furious at her good–for–nothing son. “Byran, you’re so naive. Balfour and you don’t share the same mother. How sincere can he be towards you? You have to understand that only your sister and I truly care about you. Only we genuinely wish you well and wouldn’t hurt you. So, you must listen to us.”
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