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Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Tuition

Chapter 65: Tuition

If Lip could secure a scholarship, he could cover his tuition, but Frank was preparing for the worst.

Frank remembered Professor Hurst mentioning that out of over a million students nationwide, only about 300 achieve perfect scores each year.

Lip was undoubtedly a genius, but on a national scale, he was just one in 300.

In his rundown public high school, Lip was a superstar, but in a world-class university filled with other "geniuses," his brilliance might not stand out as much.

Frank needed to find a way to gather Lip's college tuition before he graduated high school in a year and a half.

However, the thought of raising tens of thousands of dollars made Frank's head spin.

To pay off his credit card debt, Frank had taken risks, working with gangs, smuggling, insurance fraud, and drug running, spending over a month to earn just enough to pay off his cards.

After clearing his debts and canceling his credit cards, Frank decided to "retire" from that life. Did he really want to return to that risky path?

The amount needed for tuition was far more than a few thousand dollars; it would take forever to save up enough, and getting caught was always a risk.

"What if I used Eddie's inheritance," Frank suddenly thought.

Eddie's inheritance amounted to tens of thousands. If Frank misappropriated it, it could easily cover Lip's tuition.

"What am I thinking!" Frank shook his head, dismissing the idea immediately.

Eddie's inheritance was meant for Sheila's family, their future security, and Karen's college education.

After returning to the Southside, Lip and Karen went shopping, leaving Frank to return home alone, worried.

"What are you doing?" Frank asked upon returning home, seeing Fiona had turned the house upside down, even checking between the couch cushions for loose change.

"My paycheck from last week's work hasn't come through. They processed the time cards, so I won't get paid until next Friday," Fiona explained, searching for every penny she could find.

The household was short on essentials, and without her pay, they couldn't last until next week. Fiona was scrounging for every cent, even pennies.

"Stop looking. I've got money. Let's go to the supermarket," Frank said, taking Fiona to shop.

Frank had enough for daily expenses, unlike the old "Frank," who spent his days in bars and on drugs. With disability benefits and Gingy's pension, there was a decent monthly income.

After paying off his credit card, Frank had a little savings left, plus what he earned from translation work.

However, those savings were nothing compared to Lip's tuition needs, barely a drop in the bucket.

For Frank, Lip's tuition was as daunting as trying to afford a home in a major city in China.

"Dad, you've really changed lately," Fiona remarked as they returned home with their groceries.

Everyone had noticed Frank's recent changes. The old "Frank" wouldn't have cared if the family was broke and starving; he'd just worry about having enough for booze.

"Since your pay won't come until Friday, keep this money," Frank said, handing Fiona a few hundred dollars.

"No need, with these groceries, we'll manage through the week. Plus, I can wait tables at the hockey bar over the weekend and make some money and tips," Fiona said, eyeing the money but hesitating to take it.

Fiona was proud and didn't accept money easily. Even when Steve offered, she refused.

Frank's family situation was complex, unlike a typical household.

The old "Frank" was absent, so there was no parental figure with absolute authority. Fiona, as the eldest, played both mother and father roles.

But Fiona was only a sister, not a parent, so each child was an independent "entity," cooperating to support the household.

This included financial independence. Each child had complete control over their finances.

Unlike other families where parents might take a child's gift money "for safekeeping," in Frank's house, any money given to the children was theirs to decide how to spend.

Each child had their own savings, and there was also a communal fund for shared expenses like the monthly electric bill.

The children's independence extended beyond finances to their thinking and decision-making. Each had a strong, independent mindset.

Even when Frank offered Fiona money, it wasn't a father giving an allowance but one person helping another.

So Fiona's instinct was to refuse.

"Take it. I know the hockey bar you mentioned, with the servers wearing next to nothing. I don't want my precious daughter working there for those sleazy guys," Frank insisted, placing the money in Fiona's hand.

"Remember, I'm your dad. You don't have to bear everything alone. You can ask for help, whether from me or Lip and Ian," Frank continued.

While each family member was independent, aside from the old "Frank," Fiona was the only adult and the main breadwinner. The others, including Lip, were still in school.

Fiona always contributed the most financially, covering essentials, utilities, and taxes, taking on about 70% of the expenses. Lip and Ian contributed, with Debbie and Carl adding small amounts.

Fiona's salary went entirely to the household, and if the kids needed money, like for a party invitation Carl received without ticket money, Fiona would typically cover it.

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