Chapter 2

Vivian's knock came twice.

"Graham? Are you changed? The guests will be here any minute."

I didn't answer.

A moment later, Vivian knocked again, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Once you make it through tonight's welcome-home dinner, you'll officially be a member of the Bennett family."

My eyes drifted to the gray uniform laid across the bed.

I put it on.

In the mirror, I barely recognized myself. A dog collar hung around my neck. I was dressed in a gray butler's uniform, with a gold dog tag pinned to my chest. My name was engraved on it.

By the time I went downstairs, the living room was already packed. There were even reporters setting up cameras and livestream equipment in the corners.

"Graham's here! Everyone, let's welcome the Bennetts' eldest son!"

Dressed in a crisp white suit, Lucas stood at the center of the room. The moment he saw me, he smiled brightly and started clapping.

Dozens of heads turned toward me. Some guests lowered their wineglasses. Others covered their mouths to hide their laughter, while a few openly raised their phones to record me.

A reporter thrust a microphone toward me. "Mr. Bennett, after spending seven years in prison, how do you feel about your experience?"

Vivian stepped between us and pushed the microphone aside. "This is a private family gathering. We're not taking questions."

Although she blocked the reporter, she made no move to stop the livestream cameras.

A wealthy socialite walked over and looked me up and down before tapping the gold dog tag on my chest with her folding fan. "Lucas, is this your family's new chauffeur?"

Lucas laughed and waved his hand. "Oh, don't tease me. That's my big brother."

"Oh..." She deliberately drew out the word. "The one who went to prison?"

Nearby, several guests spoke loudly, making no attempt to hide that I could hear them.

"I heard what he did back then was serious. That kid almost died."

"Such a handsome young man. What a waste..."

Vivian led me around the room, introducing me to the guests. She chose her words carefully. "This is my younger brother, Graham Bennett. He lost his way for a while, but he's finally home."

She never mentioned prison. She didn't have to. Everyone knew exactly what she meant.

Someone asked, "What do you mean by 'lost his way'?"

Standing nearby, Lucas leaned toward one of his friends and whispered just loudly enough for everyone around them to hear.

"My brother got into a little trouble back then, but my sisters were willing to forgive him and bring him home. The Bennett family never abandons its own."

Halfway through the dinner, someone called for Lucas to perform. He graciously sat down at the piano and played Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."

His fingers glided effortlessly across the keys. When the final note faded, the room erupted in applause.

Lucas stood, bowed to the guests, then turned toward me with an innocent smile. "Graham, your turn. What did you prepare? Everyone's waiting."

Standing in the corner, I clenched the seam of my pants so tightly my knuckles turned white. No one had ever told me I was supposed to prepare a performance.

Lucas tilted his head as though he'd just had a wonderful idea. "Then why don't Graham and Duke put on a little show together? Graham can crawl like a dog."

He clapped his hands and lifted Duke down from the sofa. "Duke loves playing with people!"

The room fell silent.

Vivian paused, her wineglass suspended in midair.

Claire lowered her voice. "Lucas, maybe not. There are so many guests here. And we're livestreaming."

The smile on Lucas's face stiffened. "Why not? Aren't you always saying Duke is part of the family? So what's wrong with letting Graham play with family?"

He lifted a hand and wiped at the corner of his eye as his lips began to tremble. "Or... are you taking Graham's side now? No matter what I do, it's never good enough, is it?"

Claire immediately fell silent.

Vivian set down her wineglass and looked at me. "On your knees."

I drew a slow breath.

The System chimed inside my mind.

System: [Departure Countdown: 08:34:00]

I was leaving this world soon anyway. There was no point arguing anymore.

I bent my knees and placed my hands on the floor. Just as I was about to drop onto all fours, a furious roar exploded from behind me.

"I'd like to see who dares make him crawl like a dog!"