Chapter 2

"How else?" Dad replied dismissively. "He probably snuck out yesterday and fell somewhere. Leave him alone. Maybe this will finally teach him a lesson and stop him from going around behind my back."

Sebastian looked like he wanted to say more, but Dad shut him down with a single glance. "That's it. Return to your work and stop worrying about unnecessary things."

After Sebastian left, Dad's brows slowly furrowed. He recalled yesterday, shortly after issuing the command for me to return home and kneel as punishment, the control terminal on his wrist had started vibrating.

A warning had flashed across the screen. "Controlled subject currently in critical condition. High-risk life signs detected. System reboot initiating automatically."

At that time, it had startled Dad. When he got home and saw me kneeling obediently on the floor without any visible issues, he assumed the terminal had glitched and didn't think much of it.

Now, after hearing Sebastian's report, irritation surged in him again. "He's such a pain in the ass. Even after the mods, he still sneaks out behind my back!"

That night, Dad stopped outside my room and issued another command. "You're not allowed to sleep tonight. As punishment, stand outside your door and reflect on what you did wrong by sneaking out."

I nodded and walked to the doorway, standing there without moving an inch.

The next morning, Dad woke up and saw me still standing in the same position as the night before. Satisfaction appeared on his face.

"That's more like it. You look much better when you're obedient," he said. "If you dare disobey me again, your punishment will be doubled."

It was a sunny weekend afternoon. Dad had invited several friends over to hang out. The group sat chatting and laughing inside the garden pavilion.

He beckoned me over and issued another instruction. "Keep Ryland company. Protect him and don't let him get hurt at all costs. Understood?"

"Understood," I answered mechanically before walking over to Ryland's side, trailing silently behind him like a shadow.

He ran to the edge of the lake and leaned over the railing, standing on tiptoe to peer into the water. "There's fish in there! I want to catch them!"

I said nothing. I simply followed behind Ryland, my eyes fixed on him as I carried out the standing directive in my mind—protect Ryland.

Suddenly, Ryland's foot slipped. With a sharp scream, he fell into the lake.

The water was deeper than it looked. He flailed wildly, sobbing and screaming as water splashed around him. "Dad, help! Help me!"

My body reacted instantly. Without a second of hesitation, I jumped straight into the lake.

The icy water swallowed me whole, yet I felt nothing. I grabbed Ryland by the arm and yanked him toward the edge with all my strength.

Hearing the cries for help, Dad and his friends rushed over just in time to see me pushing Ryland back onto the shore. Once we were both safely out of the water, his friends immediately praised me.

"Hey, Austin. Your eldest son is really brave. He actually jumped into the water to save his brother. You've raised him well."

"Seriously. He's so young and already this responsible!"

Dad smiled modestly and waved dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing. The kids are just sensible on their own. I didn't really teach them much. Sebastian, take them upstairs for a hot bath before they catch a cold."

By the time dinner approached, Dad's friends had already left.

He walked into my room and slapped me across the face without warning. The sharp crack echoed through the room. The force knocked my head to the side, but I felt no pain at all.

"Who told you to take Ryland near the lake?" Dad barked furiously. "Did you do it on purpose? Were you trying to get him killed? It's a good thing he's fine, or I wouldn't have let you off so easily!"

Still angry, he raised his hand to hit me again. The moment his fingers brushed against my cheek, he abruptly pulled back with a frown. "Why is your face so cold? It's like touching ice. Did you catch a chill?"

I didn't answer. I turned my head back slowly and looked at Dad in silence.

"Useless," he spat out with disgust. "You can't even take care of yourself, let alone protect your brother. You're not allowed to eat dinner tonight. Stay in your room and reflect on your mistakes!"

"Okay, Dad."