Turning to the officer, I gave a small nod. “Thank you,” I said, my voice steady and calm. “I’ll follow you in just a moment.”

The officer inclined his head in acknowledgment before stepping aside, allowing me a clear path to the private terminal where my jet awaited. But first, I faced my father and stepsister.

“Seems like I’m not the one who needs to worry about embarrassing the family name,” I said, my voice soft yet firm.

Laya’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her earlier confidence replaced by a flustered silence. My father opened and closed his mouth, struggling to find words that wouldn’t come.

I continued, feeling years of pent-up frustration finally finding its voice. “You’ve always underestimated me, Dad. You assumed I was lesser because I chose a different path. But success isn’t measured by how you get there—it’s about who you become along the way.”