Golden High University

Golden High University, a prestigious all-girls school, is notoriously difficult to enter. Not only is the tuition fee enough to buy a small town, but the entrance exam is harder than Dwayne Johnson's muscles.

However, that doesn't deter the wealthy students. Most either pay their way in or have influential connections to secure admission. After all, being a part of Golden High guarantees a 99% chance of landing a good job after graduation.

Isn't that enticing? Zoan thinks to herself. Yes, it sounds amazing, and yes, it's very tempting.

If only her father weren't making this decision to "fix her attitude," she might have considered it. But her stubbornness prevailed, and she found herself in a silent standoff with him.

Both crossed their arms and wore downturned lips, neither willing to back down. "Zoan," Elias began, his lips pursed as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. He let out a sigh.

"Father," Zoan shot back, leaning forward as well, glaring at him through the lenses of her glasses. She was furious—no, that was an understatement; she was livid at her father for putting her in this situation.

Elias clicked his tongue and slammed a fist on the table, sending the neatly stacked books tumbling. Zoan cast a cursory glance at the mess before returning her gaze to her father, her brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Your mother and I have come to an agreement to send you to Golden High," Elias said slowly, stacking the books neatly as Zoan sighed.

"You mean you? Mother never agrees to what you want—and neither of you talk anymore with her busy schedule in Germany," she murmured, looking away.

Elias let out a disappointed breath, shrugging half-heartedly. "So what? Golden High is your last resort to finally straighten up."

Zoan clicked her tongue, her annoyance clear on her face for anyone to see. "Seriously? It doesn't matter; you have no plan to hand over the law firm to me. As far as I'm concerned, you're giving it to your secretary," she snapped, her fists clenched as she fought the urge to slam them on the table.

She wanted to see the books topple again.

Elias narrowed his eyes. "Watch your mouth, Zoan. You don't know what you're talking about," he hissed. Zoan let out a bark of laughter, rolling her eyes.

"Father, I'm a 'woman,' aren't I? Isn't that what you told Mother? You said, quote unquote, 'Zoan cannot take over the firm because she's a woman; I can have Thead take over when the time comes,'" she mimicked, letting out a pitiful laugh as she leaned back.

She was furious when she heard it. Even while acting like some damn gangster, she always ensured her studies were top-notch, consistently scoring among the highest in every test she took.

To hear those words… Not only did she feel hurt, but she was also angry. Hearing such things from her father stung, despite their frequent clashes, she believed he stood on a stage where everyone was seen as equal.

Elias's face softened, making him appear much older. This shift in demeanor caused Zoan to falter, lowering her head with a sigh. "Zoan, you know I'm only doing this so you can have a peaceful life. I'm giving it to Thead so you don't feel the need to match up to me and your mother. You can plan your own path and do what you want, and that means being independent," he explained.

Zoan regarded him, her lips pressed into a line. "Do you mean that?" she asked, a small grin forming on her face as Elias rolled his eyes.

"You brat! Why not just take up acting and move on?" he replied, his voice irritated but his expression amused, prompting Zoan to giggle as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"Wasn't it cool? We looked like we were about to start fighting each other—like bam—then pow!" Zoan exclaimed, throwing a punch in the air. Elias raised a brow, watching her unleash a flurry of fast punches at an invisible enemy, her fists a blur.

He sighed, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Still, I want you to go to Golden High. Finish high school and plan your future. You can pursue whatever you want," he said, leaning on his table. Zoan froze, lowering her fists to her lap before humming thoughtfully.

"I'm glad you're good at boxing, karate, and even that dirt bike of yours that I still haven't approved yet," Elias added, giving Zoan a mock stern look as she nervously chuckled.

"I only ride my bike when I feel particularly stressed," Zoan refuted.

"So, every day?" Elias shot back, raising an eyebrow as Zoan flushed, letting out an annoyed groan. "Can't a woman just ride her bike and have fun?" she whined, leaning back in her chair with a childish sigh.

Elias clicked his tongue, casting her a sidelong glance. "Woman, my ass. You're more of a man than Thead is. It makes me question if giving him the firm is a good choice," he muttered to himself, rolling his eyes.

Zoan sat up straight. "Father, I really think this is a bad idea. Why not homeschool me again?" she asked earnestly.

"Zoan, trust me, this is a good idea. Golden High is a great school. Just pass the entrance exam normally. It's hours away from here, but I think I can find you a dorm close to campus if you give me some time," Elias replied, flipping open his laptop and tapping away idly.

This was a clear sign for Zoan to stop resisting; she knew she could no longer change his mind.

She sighed, rubbing her hand over her face. "An all-girls school? Father, seriously?!" she glared, and Elias smirked. "Get in touch with your feminine side, Zoan. Here, you won't have to get into any fights with anyone, all the girls here are well disciplined."

"Oh, I'm definitely getting in touch with my feminine side," Zoan grumbled, crossing her arms as Elias rolled his eyes. He then spun his laptop around to show her the screen, prompting Zoan to lean closer, adjusting her glasses.

It was a blog featuring a picture of the Golden High campus. A group of girls in navy blue uniforms stood in formation, looking almost military. They wore pencil skirts, and their blazers appeared incredibly hot and stuffy.

"Skirt… blazers… Father, why didn't you tell me Golden High has uniforms!?" Zoan shrieked, tugging at her hair and whining loudly. She leaned back in her chair, almost slipping down if she hadn't caught herself.

She hated skirts, especially pencil skirts. They were hard to move in, and she loathed the feeling of her legs being exposed!

What on earth was her father thinking when he made this decision?!

"This is unfair! You're violating my human rights; I have no consent to this!" Zoan argued, standing up and banging her fist on the table repeatedly.

Elias looked up at her, smirking.

"Honey, you're a minor. This is called parental consent," he said, snapping his fingers and winking at her. Zoan let out a defeated cry and sat back down in her chair.

"Father… didn't you say I'm more of a man than a woman? Please don't throw me to Golden High," Zoan whispered, feeling defeated. Elias chuckled as he turned the laptop screen back to himself.

"I'll try to get you pants for this. Don't worry; if the dean doesn't allow it, I'll talk to them, okay?" he said. Zoan perked up slightly. "Really? Okay, fine. If you do that, I'll—eh, half and half on the decision," she waved her hand lazily.

She groaned again before catching her father's eye. He had a small smile on his face, but there was a hint of worry in his expression.

Zoan sits up, adjusting her posture. "Zoan, we rarely get to talk like this," Elias begins, sighing as he closes his laptop and rubs his hands together.

"I really hope you'll agree with me. This decision was hard to make. I hate seeing you get into fights, and I don't want to keep you homeschooled. Takao is a good teacher, but she's pursuing her master's, so she can't keep up with your high school education," he explains.

"Takao is cool," Zoan murmurs, resting her cheek on her palm with a defeated sigh. "Besides, it's not good for you to stay cooped up here. Look—you're even going to bars just to get out of the house. Don't think I didn't know about that; your driver and maid told me," Elias says, glaring as Zoan mutters a curse. "Traitors!"

"Please stop going to bars," Elias pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I don't drink, I swear! I only go there to make sure nothing happens to my friends," Zoan insists, shaking her head.

"It's still the same thing," Elias groans.

"Zoan, I want you to have a peaceful high school experience before the craziness of college begins. Keep your head down, maintain your grades, and surround yourself with friends who won't drag you to bars," he says, his tone serious.

"But—" Zoan starts, but Elias cuts her off. "Promise me."

She gives him a weak look, the kind that says, 'Please don't do this; I hate promises.' "Zoan, please, your mother and I are so worried about you. All we talk about these days is you," Elias murmurs, and Zoan winces.

"Sorry… Father," she whispers, feeling ashamed.

"Being youthful is fun, but I don't want you to regret doing something foolish. So please, will you promise me you'll keep your head down this time and focus on your studies?" he asks.

"No more training with your instructor. Tell him you're quitting, and sell your dirt bike."

"Father!" Zoan exclaims, stunned, her face pale. Elias regards her with a cold look. "Zoan—if you're not doing this for me, do it for your mother and your future. Please, promise me you'll do all of this."

Zoan bites her lip. "I won't allow you to continue practicing your fighting skills," Elias adds.

She gives him a weak look before sighing and nodding. "Fine."

"Do you promise?" Elias repeats.

"Yes, I promise," Zoan grumbles, crossing her arms as Elias exhales in relief. "Good, and I know you never break your promises."