The Sway and Slide of Love novel Chapter 788

A family of scholars—that was how people described Dylan's family.

Dylan had grown up hearing such words. Because of this reputation, he had been raised with strict self-discipline, honesty, and grace.

At one point, he had even taken pride in his family. Even though he carried a lot of pressure, he still believed it was worth it. After all, from childhood, he had enjoyed privileges others didn't.

Until the day he discovered his father's and grandfather's dealings. Only then did he realize it was all a facade for outsiders. Beneath that refined, respectable exterior lay something utterly rotten.

Of course, he couldn't accept it. He had even had a big fight with his family over it—and was slapped for it. Then, they called him rigid and stupid.

But they were the ones who had taught him to be upright and honest in the first place. If they thought those values were outdated and foolish, then what was the point of teaching him all that?

Later, they not only silenced his desire to expose the truth but even dragged him into their schemes. It was only when Dylan stepped into that cesspool that he realized it wasn't just his family. Every adult was like this.

No matter how honorable their outward appearances, inside, they were all corrupt. The people he had encountered were ones he had, to some extent, seen reports about before. Their image of being virtuous and upright had shattered completely.

That was when he understood—he was the odd one out. He realized that everyone else lived wearing a mask, and doing those unspeakable things had already become a routine for them. It was only him that found those things shocking and unbelievable.

Of course, that was only at the beginning. Later, he quickly convinced himself to adapt. But once he did, he soon realized that no matter how much he did, what he owned was still too little. What he had gained never matched what he had sacrificed.

So, he started climbing higher. From being unable to accept it to eventually not regretting whatever he had to sacrifice—that was how he had come this far, and he didn't regret it one bit.