Chapter 3

I looked at Karen, feigning confusion.

"Help her out? How?"

Karen waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, you know. Just agree that her success is important for the whole family. That you support her."

She was trying to get my consent without explicitly mentioning the system.

"But Brittany always says I'm not smart," I said, my voice innocent. "She told me last week my study habits were a waste of time and I'd never get into a decent college anyway."

Brittany finally looked up, scowling. "Well, it's true. You're always just grinding away. I barely study and ace everything. Some people are just born with it."

"See?" I said to Karen. "She doesn't need my help. She's a natural genius."

Karen' s smile tightened. "Sarah, don't be difficult."

"I'm not being difficult, Mom. I'm just agreeing with Brittany. She's got this."

I saw a flicker of panic in Karen' s eyes. She wasn't used to me not immediately folding.

"It's just a hypothetical agreement, Sarah," Karen pressed, her voice losing its sweetness. "A show of support."

"I support Brittany by believing in her own amazing abilities," I said, my gaze steady.

Karen' s face hardened. "You will agree to this."

"Why would I? If she' s so smart, she' ll get a great score on her own."

I remembered the backlash. Coercion without consent was a violation.

Suddenly, Karen clutched her throat, her eyes widening. She tried to speak, but only a strangled gasp came out.

She coughed, her face turning slightly pale.

Brittany looked annoyed. "Mom, are you okay? Don't be so dramatic."

Karen waved her hand, still unable to speak. She looked furious, pointing at me, then at her throat.

A 24-hour gag order. The system' s minor backlash for attempted coercion.

I almost smiled.

It was working. She couldn't force me easily.

Rick walked in then. "What's going on? Karen, you alright?"

Karen just glared at me, her voice completely gone.