«Take the bus. We’re buying your brother a Tesla,» Dad said. At graduation, the dean announced, «And now, our youngest billionaire graduate…» My parents dropped their programs…

The next morning, I woke up to news alerts about Walker Tech’s latest innovation, a revolutionary quantum computing breakthrough that had our stock soaring. My phone lit up with a text from Andrew. Hey sis, getting my new Tesla today.

Dad’s going all out Model S Plaid. Maybe you can get a ride sometime, winking face. I glanced out my window at my garage, where my limited edition Bugatti sat next to my own Tesla, one I’d bought directly from Elon Musk during a private meeting last month.

But of course, my family didn’t know about that either. Three days before graduation, Mom called. Honey, about graduation, we might be a little late.

Andrew’s Tesla needs some custom modifications, and the appointment is that morning. Don’t worry about it. I cut her off.

I’m sure the bus will get me there on time. What they didn’t know was that I’d arranged something special for graduation day. Something that would finally force them to see me really see me for the first time.

The morning of graduation, I dressed carefully in a custom Chanel suit under my graduation robe. My phone buzzed with congratulations from tech CEOs and world leaders, people who actually knew who I was. As I prepared to leave, my assistant called.

Miss Walker, everything is set for today. The dean has the announcement ready, and the Wall Street Journal is running the story right after the ceremony. Perfect.

I smiled, grabbing my keys, to the Bugatti, not the bus. Time to show my family exactly what their disappointment has been up to. I arrived at Stanford’s campus early, watching as families streamed in.

Right on schedule, I saw my parents and Andrew pull up in his new Tesla. All of them looking proud and polished. They didn’t even notice me walking past them toward the graduates gathering area.

The ceremony began, and I sat quietly, waiting for the moment I’d planned. The dean approached the podium, clearing his throat for what would be the most important announcement of the day. My phone buzzed one last time, a text from Andrew.

Nice of you to actually show up. Too bad you had to take the bus face with tears of joy. I smiled, tucking my phone away.

In about 10 minutes, that Tesla wouldn’t seem quite so impressive anymore. The graduation ceremony proceeded with its usual pomp and circumstance. From my seat, I could see my family in the audience.

Dad checking his phone. Mom admiring Andrew’s new Tesla key fob. And Andrew himself taking selfies with his car visible in the background.

Then came the moment I’d been waiting for. Before we begin conferring degrees, the dean announced, his voice carrying across the packed auditorium, we have a special recognition to make. Stanford Business School has a long history of exceptional graduates, but today we celebrate someone truly extraordinary…