Rise of Robert,the youngest student billionaire.

CHAPTER 172

"Thank you, Dad. I’ll make sure to live up to those expectations. It’s always been my goal to prove that hard work and focus pay off. And well… some of us just need a bit more time to figure things out," he said, his words aimed directly at Lily, the jab unmistakable.

Lily’s teeth ground together as she fought to keep her composure. His words stung like poison, each one a reminder of how he’d stolen her thunder, how he had deceived everyone and made her look like a failure.

She seethed inside, her fury bubbling over, but she forced herself to keep her expression neutral. She had to. If she lashed out now, it would only make her look petty, jealous, like she was the antagonist in her own family.

And worse, it would give Derek exactly what he wanted—a chance to bask in her defeat.

Despite everything, Lily held on to a sliver of hope. She didn’t know how, but she had to find a way to prove them all wrong, to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

Even as the congratulations and accolades co