My sister cut cake for them. "Once my little sister gets into college, we can come clean to her."
"By then, the mansion, the luxury cars, the family business—it'll be enough to make up for the suffering she's endured these past years."
"You two can finally rest, and you won't have to go to that damn rundown house anymore to pretend to be poor."
Dad looked smug. "This kid Anna really didn't let down our careful training."
"Just in senior year of high school, she already earned twenty-four thousand dollars. She's got my style from back then."
Serena lifted her glass with a smile.
"I used that money to buy a bottle of 1982 Lafite. Not a cent more, not a cent less—so consider it my little sister showing you two respect ahead of time."
"On my little sister's behalf, I thank you both for your hard work and dedication."
Mom's expression turned doting, with a hint of reproach. "Serena, you've got nerve."
"If it weren't for you only caring about having fun all day, would your dad and I have had to go to such lengths to raise Anna?"
Serena stuck out her tongue playfully, stood up, and clinked glasses with our parents.
"Here's to the 'raise-poor plan' for Anna—a complete success!"