Chapter 1

"W-What are you talking about?" Jordan Shaw's voice shook, but he still forced himself to sound indignant. "You're my brother, Julian. I'm thrilled that you're back. Why would I slip an aphrodisiac into your tea?"

I covered my burning face and blinked. "Oh, so it was an aphrodisiac."

I turned to my elder sister, Jamie Shaw, who was a trained physician. "Jamie, could you check me? Let's see if Jordan's right. He figured it out awfully fast."

She looked me over, her brows knitting together. The moment she turned to Jordan, doubt written on her face, his face fell.

He put on a wounded look and said, "I'm not a Shaw by blood. Of course you'd suspect me."

Jamie had always doted on him, so she instantly softened. "Jordan, that's not what I meant. Whether Julian returns or not, you're the brother I've always known."

I'd never lacked for love growing up in the bandit stronghold, but watching this scene still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Jordan shot me a smug look, his smile becoming even gentler than usual. "Julian, this has to be the work of some clueless servant trying to drive a wedge between us. Once I find out who did it, I'll skin them alive."

He paused, his tone turning menacing. "If this person steps forward now, I might spare them. Otherwise…"

I just watched his performance, saying nothing.

Under Jordan's threat, one of the maids behind me suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud, her face drained of color. "Mr. Jordan, it was Mr. Julian who made me do this to frame you. He wanted to use this to win Lord and Lady Shaw's sympathy and gain their favor."

Her voice broke as she removed a small sachet containing the aphrodisiac from her sash.

I clicked my tongue. My second-in-command at the bandit stronghold, Greg Brown, was right. City folks really were scheming as hell.

As the maid choked out her explanation, the crowd that had followed Jordan here to witness my supposed disgrace broke into low whispers.

"Tsk. You really can't expect proper upbringing from someone raised in a bandit stronghold, can you? Look at him, pouncing on every woman he sees. He even stooped to using an aphrodisiac."

Jordan sighed right on cue. "Julian, I can leave if you don't like me. You don't need to risk ruining your own reputation like this."

Father and Mother had rushed over at the commotion. Their faces instantly darkened at Jordan's words.

Mother pulled Jordan to her side, then turned to me, her voice laced with disappointment. "You've only just come home, and already you've disgraced our family. This is Shaw Manor—the chancellor's home. It's not some bandit den where you can run wild.

"You're confined to your rooms for the next two weeks. Every day, you'll copy the household rules until you learn how to behave yourself."