Chapter 5

"She's my role model! I chose this major because of her! I'm going to ask for her autograph!" someone exclaimed.

I stood among the crowd, staring at Mom in shock. She had Jeremy with her, and the two of them were the center of attention.

Her gaze met mine, and her expression turned cold. She swiftly looked away.

Following her visit to the campus, it was time to choose the winners for the science and technology award. Even though my research work was the most innovative and had the most academic value, I failed to make the cut.

I didn't even get an honorable mention.

Professor Graham sighed.

"Actually, when Professor Lloyd came by the campus, she took Jeremy out to dinner with the judges. Considering her standing in the world of academia, who would refuse to do her a favor?"

The truth finally dawned on me, and I let out a bitter laugh.

I was on my way back to campus when a few cars abruptly pulled up in front of me.

"You're Whitney's brother, aren't you?"

"Oh, the whole fan club is here! Did you guys watch Wendy's livestream too?"

I had no idea what was going on.

One of them shoved their phone right into my face. I saw a segment from Whitney's interview.

When she was asked about how things had been going lately, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, as you guys know, I have a biological younger brother. He's been causing a lot of trouble lately, and it's been a constant headache for me. But other than that, everything is going well."

I also saw footage from a major music awards ceremony where Wendy sang a note wrong. During the interview she gave after that, she sighed.

"I've been dealing with some family issues. As you guys know, I have a biological older brother… But either way, it's my fault for singing the wrong note. I shouldn't be finding excuses for myself. I apologize to all my fans."

How could Wendy possibly sing a wrong note?

Had my two sisters, without planning it beforehand, decided to use these tricks to hint at something to their fans?

Either way, their fans were now ambushing me.

"You must think you're so great, don't you? How dare you let your two sisters suffer because of you?"

"Honestly, is it so hard for you to understand that you're not as good as Jeremy?"

"Your family might put up with you and your rotten behavior, but we certainly won't!"

Someone stepped forward and grabbed me by the collar. I turned and tried to run, but someone stuck out a foot and tripped me. I hit the ground face-first, but I was soon turned over, and a fist slammed straight into my face.

A Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop at the traffic light. The window rolled down, and Whitney and Wendy's startled faces appeared.

I shouted, "Whitney! Wendy! Help!"

The traffic light turned green. My sisters simply exchanged glances before rolling up the window.

"Shut up, you bastard! How dare you try to cause even more trouble for them now?"

"We're going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"

…

In the end, it was a passerby who rescued me.

I dragged myself home. My clothes were tattered and almost falling off me. I'd lost my shoes, and my feet left bloody footprints behind me.

"Who's that? He looks like some deranged madman."

"What's wrong with young people these days? Do they think it's acceptable to walk around on the streets dressed in rags?"

When I opened the door to the house, everyone inside turned toward me.

I saw a massive cake on the dining table.

Oh, right. It was Jeremy's birthday today.

"How can you show up at home looking like that? You know full well we're throwing Jem a birthday party today. You're doing it on purpose to get on our nerves, aren't you?"

I took in the cold, indifferent expressions on Mom, Dad, Whitney, and Wendy's faces.

Out of nowhere, I laughed.

Then, I kicked the scrying mirror on the wall, smashing it into pieces. I grabbed the bay laurel by the door and snapped it in half.

Lastly, I grabbed the wooden horseshoe that I'd hung up on the wall as a protective charm to keep the family safe and threw it down. It broke into splinters.

"Nathan Stewart! Have you lost your mind?"

I whipped my head toward them, my eyes bloodshot. "You can all suffer for all I care!"