My Husband Made Our Daughter's Future a Bargaining Chi

“I’ll ask again—do both parties fully understand the rules of this contest? If anything is unclear, I can explain it once more.”

“After all, this isn’t just about exam scores. It concerns the division of marital assets. I hope you’re taking this seriously.”

The notary glanced at his watch. Only fifteen minutes remained before the college entrance exam results would officially be released.

I spoke calmly. “Sir, just announce the results. In a few minutes, the scores will be out anyway—what’s the point of guessing then?”

The notary hadn’t expected me to be so blunt, but with a quick nod, he proceeded to read the second-round results.

“This round: Ms. Jade, mother of Vivian, estimated a total score of 712. Ms. Gwen, mother of Perrie, estimated is zero.”

The room erupted in murmurs.

Half the guests gasped at Jade’s astonishingly high estimate. The other half burst into laughter at my supposed foolishness.

“Seven-twelve?! That’s provincial top scorer level! But what’s going on with the ex-wife—zero again?”

“Well, it makes sense. Jade was a top student at Stanford, after all. Her daughter scoring high isn’t surprising.”

“Oh, now I get it. Honestly, when it comes to marriage, genetics matter. That Gwen—original wife or not—didn’t even finish high school. No wonder Mr. Shaw is divorcing her.”

“Exactly! Look at how polished Miss Vivian is. She's clearly raised with care. Not like some people, who must be complete idiots. Otherwise, how else do you explain two rounds of zero?”

Hayden laughed heartily, then pulled Jade into a proud kiss.

“Hahaha! That’s my daughter! Jade, you’ve raised Vivian beautifully!”

Jade furrowed her brows when she heard I’d written another zero. Her eyes kept flicking at me, as if trying to see through me. But when Hayden kissed her so suddenly, she put on a bashful smile.

“Hayden, there are people watching!”

Then she turned toward the others, her voice sweet yet provocative.

“I just believe that three years of hard work will pay off. We’ll know soon enough once the results are out. But I have faith—Vivian won’t disappoint us.”

Then she looked back at me and added, “But Gwen, haven’t you always called Hayden saying your daughter’s grades were great? So why write zero again? Are you just giving up half the property like that?”

Unfazed, I smiled faintly. “There’s still one round left. Whoever wins or loses isn’t decided yet.”

Vivian seized the opportunity to mock Perrie again. “Some people might’ve faked their scores all along. Now they’re just trying to scam money out of Dad using this guessing game. But the college entrance exam reveals true ability. I get why she had to write zero—she couldn’t even guess closely.”

Their words quickly sparked gossip among the guests—and worse, pierced my teenage daughter’s vulnerable heart.

She blinked rapidly, eyes red and brimming with tears, and looked at me with hurt and disbelief.

“Mom… You know what I’m capable of. Why would you write zero on purpose?”

I shook my head, keeping my voice low but firm.

“That is your score.”

“No way! I checked my answers after the exam. I’m definitely above the cutoff for a top university!”

Seeing her so worked up, tears streaming down her face, my heart ached.

She had always known her father was barely around. I was the one caring for her, tending to his parents, working the land—doing it all on my own.

Even so, she never once complained. She was the kind of child who finished her homework after school and then helped out with house chores.

When I stayed silent, she finally choked out, “Mom... are you scared I didn’t do well? Or did you just give up, thinking there’s no point in fighting anymore?”

“But after everything you’ve been through all these years—after all the pain—that property is yours. Why should they be the ones to take it from you?”