Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1303

"No, seriously, I'm actually full."

Seeing that she didn't seem to be lying, Sarah nodded. "Then what do you want for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Just fry two eggs for me, and I'll have a bowl of oatmeal."

"Alright, Mom will have it ready for you in the morning."

The next morning, when Mira woke up, Sarah had already prepared breakfast. But at Ryan's spot on the table, there was only a single slice of dry toast and a cup of black coffee.

Sarah was still muttering under her breath, "Ryan, you're a grown boy, you don't need fancy eggs. Toast is perfectly fine for you."

Ryan didn't argue. "...Sure, Aunt Sarah. Toast is great."

Mira watched the exchange silently. Since when had her mother been this frugal with Ryan?

She wanted to slip him one of her eggs, but Sarah sat right next to them, watching like a hawk.

Not wanting to upset her mother, Mira kept her head down and finished her food.

The truth was, Sarah's strictness wasn't just because Ryan wasn't her own flesh and blood. It was a direct reaction to Ryan's mother, Brenda Finn, who was notoriously stingy. She had sent her son to study in the city without handing him a single dime for living expenses.

Sarah complained about it constantly.

Knowing this, Mira wasn't going to rock the boat. She understood human nature—people were inherently biased, and Mira was more than happy to selfishly enjoy her mother's absolute favoritism.

After breakfast, Mira and Ryan headed off to school together.

On the walk there, Mira finally brought it up. "Don't hold it against my mom. Aunt Brenda sent you out here without any cash, and it really rubbed her the wrong way."

"I know, Mira. I don't blame Aunt Sarah at all.

You guys gave me a place to live, food to eat, and even covered my tuition. I'm incredibly grateful."

It was only when she wanted to spoil her own daughter that she excluded Ryan from the special treatment.

The National Board Exams flew by, and the results were released shortly after. Mira scored a near-perfect 748. She had only lost two points on the essay section; everything else was flawless.

She secured the title of National Academic Laureate with a crushing lead. She became the absolute pride of Melvion Central High School, and a local legend in Melvion City. What made it even more insane was that Mira was technically a junior, taking the exams a full year early.

Overnight, promotional banners flooded the streets, and reporters from every major news outlet scrambled desperately for an interview.

Top-tier universities nationwide engaged in a ruthless bidding war, throwing offers at Mira. Ultimately, she chose the familiarity of Aethelgard University.

She didn't want unnecessary drama; she just wanted a peaceful, unburdened college experience.

The only change was her major. In her previous life, Mira had studied Computer Science with a minor in Finance. This time, she opted for Business Administration. She had already mastered the other two fields and refused to waste years sitting through lectures she could teach.

Besides, as a soon-to-be corporate titan, executive management was exactly what she needed to polish.