They Spent $100K on My Brother but Jailed Me for $5K

At the New Year's Eve family gathering, Dad proudly raised his wine glass.

Let me report some good news to everyone. Ryan just got first place in both the written test and the interview for the civil service exam. He's already in the background check stage.

Thanks to me having the guts to spend a full hundred grand on prep classes and tutors. From now on, the Gilbert family's got a real backer.

The relatives all chimed in with congratulations. Only my face went pale.

"Where did the family get a hundred thousand dollars? When I asked to borrow thirty grand a year ago, you said you had no savings."

Ryan slammed his hand on the table, his expression smug.

"I told Mom and Dad not to give it to you. So what?"

"Alex, you've been working for years and can't even scrape together thirty grand. And you still have the nerve to mooch off our parents."

"Besides, I spent this money on something that matters. Who knows what you were going to blow yours on."

Mom and Dad both nodded.

"Ryan's right. Money should go where it counts."

"You're a girlall you care about is eating, drinking, and having fun. How could that be more important than your brother's future?"

I thought of the criminal record I now carried because I couldn't afford a lawyer when I was wrongfully accused. I lowered my head and smiled.

"Right. It's not important anymore."

Ryan caught my reaction. Surprise flickered in his eyes before he spoke again, his tone falsely sweet.

"But my sister is pretty impressive too. She works at a big company in Seaside City."

"Hey, you've been there five years now. You must have good news about a promotion or raise to share with everyone, right?"

Every pair of eyes at the table locked onto me, sizing me up with obvious judgment. I took a deep breath.

"No. Actually, I quit. I'm still job hunting."

Mom's frown deepened, disgust flashing across her face. She grabbed my arm like I'd just announced a crisis.

"Alex, I told you to hold onto that jobwhy didn't you listen! Jobs are impossible to find right now. Quitting over the holidays means losing all that income!"

"Your dad and I are getting old, and our health is failing. In a few years your brother will need money for his wedding. As the eldest, how can you only think about yourself instead of this family?"

"Call your boss right now. Tell him you had a moment of confusion and you can come back immediately."

Dad went furtherhe kicked the liquor bottle by the table's edge, shattering it. Glass scattered across the floor.

"You damn girl! Making trouble for me on New Year's! Everything I say goes in one ear and out the other, huh?"

"I'm warning youdon't think anyone's going to support you if you don't work. I don't have savings for you to leech off."

"Every penny in this house goes to your brother! Trash like you isn't worthy of spending my money!"

My heart went cold. My nails dug into my palms.

A year and a half ago, the company hit hard times and an executive was brought in to oversee mass layoffs.

I was called into his office for a talk. Midway through, he sat down beside me. His hand landed on my thigh and traced a slow line across it.

"Alex Gilbert. I've reviewed your file. Mediocre education, average performance, no family connections."

"By all rights, you'd be first on the layoff list. But if you're willing to follow my lead, study hard under me, keep me happyI might consider keeping you around."

Nausea hit me in waves. I wanted to scream, to slap him across the face.

But I thought of my credit card debt. My empty bank account. Rent due next month.

My tears fell inward, and I couldn't say a word.

When I got home, I called my parents.

"Mom, the new boss sexually harassed me. I want to quit."

"Things are tight right now though. Can you lend me some money to get by? I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I find a new job."

Mahjong tiles clattered in the background. Her tone was flat.

"Don't even think about it. No work, no food. I spoiled you too much. Get back out there, keep your eyes on the paycheck, and stop being so sensitive."

"That's just how the workplace issame everywhere. Men are all horny like that. Since this boss likes you, why not play it smart? Milk it for what you can."

Her mahjong friends laughed, teasing her for being so open-minded. My heart went cold. I swallowed my anger and decided to wait for my year-end bonus before making any moves.

But the night of the company party, my boss got drunk and told me to help him upstairs to rest.

I tried everything to refuse. No one dared to help me.

I carefully helped him into the room. The moment I turned to leave, he pouncedhands everywhere.

I thrashed, desperate, until my fingers found an ashtray. I swung it hard against his skull.

I bolted out the door, shaking so violently I couldn't think straight. I didn't save any evidence.

Days later, he sued me for intentional injury.

No cameras in that room to prove what he did. He hired the best lawyer money could buy and refused to settle.

I stared at my bank balance and called my parents, crying, begging them to lend me money for legal fees.

Before I could finish, Mom's voice shot up.

"What? Thirty thousand? Your dad and I get just over two thousand a month in retirement! Where do you expect us to pull that kind of money from?"

"Did the big city teach you to go bad? Our family can't afford your fancy spending habits!"

I was so panicked I couldn't form words. Then Dad's voice cut through.

"She needs to be cured of this! Thinks she's some rich princess!"

"Starve her for a month. Once she's hungry enough, she'll learn. Don't pay her any attention."

The line went dead. When I called back, I'd already been blocked.

My coworkers were too scared of getting dragged down with me. I had no one. No money for a lawyer. I lost the case fast and got sentenced to a year.

So even with Ryan's high scores, having a sister with a criminal record meant he'd never pass the background check.

How ridiculous.

A year ago, their refusal to spare me a single penny had finally boomeranged right into their precious son.

Aunt Patricia's eyes darted around, and she stepped forward to smooth things over.

"A friend of mine owns a restaurant, and she's been swamped lately. Since Alex doesn't have a job, she could work there for now."

"Big brother, just rememberwhen we need to ask Ryan for favors down the road, you'll need to return the kindness."

Her scheming was written all over her face, but Mom latched onto her arm gratefully.

"Family really does come through. Alex has been stubborn since she was little. Tell your friend to be patient with her."

But they don't rememberbefore Ryan was born, my grades were in the top ten of our entire school. Every single year.

Shortly after he was born, my parents said they had to work during the day and couldn't stay up at night. So they told me to step up and be an older sister.

They slept soundly while I mixed formula, patted his back, and coaxed him to sleep. Some nights I got maybe two hours.

Anything at school that cost moneyworkbooks, field tripsgot cut. No matter how much I cried or begged, Dad just hardened his face and said one thing.

"Money's tight. If we can save somewhere, we save. You're the older sisterstop being so immature."

When Ryan wanted to go out and play, they'd pull me out of class. Even if I missed lessons, I still had to wander aimlessly around the apartment complex with him.

After a while, my grades tanked.

I begged them, practically on my knees.

"I'm still a studenthow can I spend all my time taking care of a kid? If this keeps up, what about my future? I still have to take the college entrance exam!"

Mom just looked at me.

"Alex, I knew a long time ago you're not cut out for studying. If you really wanted to learn, you could learn in any environment. It's fine. When you're an adult, Mom will ask relatives to find you a good match. Your priority right now is taking care of your little brother."

Under those conditions, I still managed to get into a four-year university, working part-time to put myself through.

I never expected that because of them, I'd end up back in this dump working as a server again.

My stomach churned, but I kept my face blank. "Thank you, Aunt Patricia."

With a criminal record, finding work was hard. Rent cost money. I had to take every chance to save up and get out of this place.

The next day, the owner looked me over like I was dirt.

"If we weren't short-handed, I wouldn't hire someone with no experience. Two hundred a day. You stay until cleanup's done. Take it or leave it."

They called it serving, but really I did everything.

Taking orders, running food, helping in the kitchen, scrubbing toiletsby closing I hadn't even had a sip of water.

There was no room for me at home. Every night I lay on the narrow couch, muscles aching so bad I couldn't sleep.

My only hope was the apartment I'd found online. The landlord agreedonce my paycheck hit, I'd sign the lease.

But on the fifteenth, I waited until midnight. No deposit notification.

I called the owner, furious. She tore into me.

"Are you insane? Didn't your Aunt Patricia tell me to transfer your wages straight to your mom? You two teaming up to scam me? I'll call the cops!"

My blood went cold. I stormed home and shoved the door open.

Mom was putting a new cashmere coat on Ryan. She froze when she saw me.

"It's the middle of the nightwhat are you doing?"

I steadied my breathing. "Where's my paycheck?"

She exchanged a look with Dad, her tone matter-of-fact.

"Getting your brother into classes and pulling stringsyour dad and I borrowed a lot. We have monthly payments. How else would we afford it? We're family. Don't be petty. Call it rent."

Dad snorted. "We raised you this big and never touched a cent of yours. You've got nerve making a fuss. Taking your paycheck is only right."

I looked at Ryan, barely hiding his smirk.

Head to toe in new clothesGucci shoes, Burberry coathis pampered face round and smug.

And me? I hadn't dared replace clothes I'd worn for ten years. Hair dry and brittle, nothing but skin and bones. A walking corpse.

While I cleaned up vomit and filth for a few hundred dollars, their precious son blew money in luxury stores like it was nothing.

I stared at them coldly.

"You know the last step of the civil service exam is a background check, right?"

Mom and Dad's faces changed instantly. Ryan's eyes flickered.

"What do you mean?"

I sneered, picking up the fruit knife from the table and lowering my voice.

"First, give me back my wages. Second, I want a written guarantee stating clearly that the debt is yoursit has nothing to do with me. Third, I'm moving out tomorrow. Whatever happens after, I won't come looking for you. Just pretend I don't exist."

"Otherwise, I'll go out and do something stupid, and Ryan won't pass his background check. Ever."

"If you won't let me live in peace, none of us will."

They clearly didn't expect methe girl who only ever cried and cavedto suddenly snap. Ryan shot to his feet, then looked at Dad in panic.

Dad was shocked and furious. He reached out to hit me. "You're rebelling!"

I'd seen truly ruthless people inside. I knew he was all bark and no bite. I pointed the knife at him.

"Take one more step. Find out if I dare."

He froze. Mom clutched her phone, voice trembling. "Fine, fine! It's just a few thousand dollars. I'll transfer it now, okay?"

"Ungrateful wretch. Your brother making something of himself benefits the whole family! Don't come crying to us later!"

Making something of himself? You already destroyed your precious son's chances yourselves.

I kept my guard up. "The written guarantee too. Write it. Now."

When it was done, Mom and Dad's eyes burned with hatred.

I tucked the paper carefully into my pocket, turned, and walked toward the door.

I only made it a few steps before sharp pain exploded at the back of my skull.

I spun around. Ryan stood there holding a vase, his face twisted.

"We can't let her go. Words mean nothingshe's already had this idea. She'll sabotage me!"

"I worked so hard for this exam. I'm one step away! If she ruins it, I'd rather die!"

I struggled to run, but Dad reacted instantly, slamming me to the ground.

My face smashed into the floor. The bridge of my nose felt shattered. Blood dripped onto the tile.

"He's right! This damn girl stays under our roof until it's over."

"Once results are out, we throw her out. Wherever she dies is her problem."

They dragged me by my hair. My vision went black.

When I woke, I was in the basement. My phone was gone.

At mealtimes, the door cracked open. I gathered every ounce of strength and rushed it.

But Ryan was ready. He shoved me hard. I hit the ground and my ankle twistedthe pain was blinding.

He tossed several steamed buns and a water bottle at my feet.

"Still alive? Gone crazy from jealousy?"

"Relax. Once I'm in, I'll let you out. Be smart and disappear. My record can't have a stain like you."

I lifted my head and smiled.

I couldn't wait to see that stupid face when he learned the truth.

I lost track of how many days I spent in that basement. The wounds on my foot and head had gone numb. The fever burned so hot even my bones ached.

As long as Ryan saw I was still breathing, he didn't care. I forced myself to hold on, fighting to stay conscious.

Finally, I got what I'd been waiting for.

The house had thin walls. The phone's ring was crystal clear.

Ryan's voice trembled with excitement. "Yes, yesI'm Ryan Gilbert. The review results are out?"

A long silence. Over a minute.

His tone plummeted.

"What do you mean by that? Does my sister have some kind of problem?"

"Huh? You need to confirm it with her in person?"

Ryan went quiet. Mom was the first to snatch the phone.

"Yes, I'm Alex Gilbert. What do you need to confirm?"

"What happened during 2024 to 2025? I was just working as a regular employee at Stellar Tech in Seaside City."

"Certain? Of course I'm certain. If you need proof of employment, we can exchange contact info and I'll send it over."

"Hey, okay, okay, okay. From now on you and my brother will be colleagues, so look out for each other."

Mom happily hung up and patted Ryan on the shoulder.

"Good thing I reacted fast, right? If that girl had answered, who knows what mess she would've made."

Ryan's tone still held a trace of doubt.

"What if she really did something shameful last year? The review for my position is strict; she could..."

Mom waved it off, every word dripping with joy.

"I know her. She doesn't have the guts."

"Besides, that caller's tone was so polite. They clearly know you're in, and they want to get on your good side early."

"How about thiswe'll invite relatives and friends over the next couple days. I'll cook, and we'll celebrate properly."

I listened from outside as they made call after call, summoning everyone even remotely related.

I tore at a cold, hard steamed bun and forced it down with cold water.

The show was about to begin. I needed my strength to witness the moment all three of them fell apart.

On the day of the party, Ryan came to the basement early. He looked down at me and kicked.

"I didn't want to let you out, but everyone knows you're back. With my status, I can't have people talking."

"Go shower, wash your hair, change into something clean. Don't embarrass me."

"Behave. You know Dad has a temper. Otherwise it won't just be the basement."

I propped myself up, found the first aid kit, and did some basic bandaging.

The relatives arrived in the afternoon. When my eldest aunt saw me, she froze.

"Alex, what happened to you?"

Dad shot me a vicious look.

"Got drunk and fell. Couldn't stop her."

"Don't mind her. Today's about Ryanhe even prepared gifts for everyone."

The family's savings had long been drained by Ryan's mess.

But to keep up appearances, the three of them maxed out their credit cards and scraped together more.

They bought abalone and sea cucumber, Moutai for the alcohol, and ordered premium steaks and desserts from a five-star hotel.

Mom hesitated before placing the order. Ryan waved his hand.

"This is the highlight of my lifeit can't be shabby."

"Besides, once I start working, paying it back will take minutes. Let those snobs see how well we're doing."

The whole table ate until grease shone on their lips, everyone flattering my parents.

"Old Mr. Gilbert, you really are blessed. Ryan's looked smart since he was little. Our whole family will be counting on you."

Dad beamed so hard his face might split.

"Hey, don't say that. You came today to eat well, drink well, and enjoy yourselves!"

When they'd drunk to a pleasant buzz, Ryan raised his glass. His tone already carried an official air.

"Everyone, quiet down. Let me say a few words."

"Getting to where I am today wouldn't have been possible without the support of all the elders here. I hope you'll continue to visit often and lend a hand in the future."

"I definitely"

Before he could finish, Ryan's phone rang.

"Hello, am I speaking with Mr. Ryan Gilbert?"