Page 153 of Seeds of Malice

"Then tell me what you were going to say."

"They're fake. I don't have a lot in common with them."

"You shouldn't. You're not fake," I state.

"Then why is it so important to you that I join?"

"Ivy, we've gone over this. Gamma Sigma Phi is the top sorority in the country. The relationships you'll make will open doors for you for the rest of your life. Your career will take off because you're in this sorority."

"But can't my career take off without me being in it?"

I laugh. "No, it can't. Baby girl, the world works this way. It's about who you know, way more than our accomplishments."

"But I'm smart," she says.

"Yeah, you are smart. But if you don't know the right people who can open the right doors for you... Well, just look at your dad's situation," I say, happy to throw her father in her face again.

Her expression hardens. "What does that mean?"

I put my hands in the air. "Nothing bad. I just meant look at how hard it was for him to find another job."

She stares at me, hands on her hips.

"Ivy, stop acting like I'm saying something bad. I'm pointing out facts. If your dad had known the right people, he could have gotten a job at any time during those few years when he was out of work."

Her anger doesn't disappear.

"Are you really going to hold this against me? I'm trying to ensure that you always have the career you deserve and doors don't close in your face because of who you don't know."

She finally caves and shakes her head. "No, I'm not going to hold it against you."

"Are you sure about that? Because I feel like you are."

"No. I just... I don't like it when you talk about my father like that."

"I just explained what I meant," I declare, although she's right. Of course I was insulting him.

She stays quiet.

I add, "You're never going to tell him about us anyway."

"Dax, please don't start this again. I told you he's been working long hours."

"And I told you I can find more help for him if he can't keep up. Maybe the position is over his head."

"It's not," she claims.

"The last guy in his spot only worked eight hours a day," I lie.

She blinks hard and glances away.

I sigh. "I can hire more?—"

"No! That's not necessary!"

I groan. "Ivy, if you're not going to let me find more help for him so he can work fewer hours, then I don't know what you want me to do."

I can see her internal debate in her expression. I let her struggle for a moment and then declare, "Listen, all I was pointing out was that who you know helps you in life."

---