Chapter 2

I sprang to my feet from the pain.

However, Thomas and Abigail immediately checked if Edward was okay.

"Are you okay, Ed?"

I noticed how worried they were, and the realization stung me.

"I'm the one who was scalded," I said softly.

Everyone fell silent.

The waiter quickly grabbed a towel and helped me wipe off the spilled food, apologizing as he did. "I'm really, really sorry! It's my fault for being careless."

I grabbed his hand. In an icy tone, I said, "It's not your fault. Someone purposely bumped into you."

Edward retorted, "What are you trying to say? Are you saying I bumped into him on purpose just to hurt you?"

Feeling wronged, he took Abigail's hand and complained to her. "Mom, how could he say that I did it on purpose? I was only walking past!"

Abigail turned to look at me, her brows furrowing into a deep frown.

"Chester, how could you accuse your brother of something like that?"

Thomas even reprimanded me without trying to figure out the truth. "You've learned to slander at such a young age. What on earth have your adoptive father taught you?"

My shoulder had turned red and was throbbing with a burning pain.

"Slander?"

Not wanting to argue further, I pointed to the surveillance camera in a corner of the lounge.

"Let's check the security camera."

Edward's eyes widened, and he tensed up upon realizing there was a camera in the room.

Thomas' suspicious gaze fell on him.

After a moment's hesitation, Edward spoke in Franich. "So what if I did it on purpose? It was just a prank."

Abigail sighed but didn't scold him.

"How could you do that? What if you scalded yourself instead?"

Thomas tried to cover up for him.

"Next time, think twice before you do anything. Chester isn't dumb. He knows we can check the surveillance camera. Now pretend that your hand hurts, and we'll use that excuse to take you to the hospital. Maybe he'll forget about this later."

Abigail was concerned about Edward, and Thomas tried to help him out of this situation.

No one thought to ask me if I was in pain.

They were too busy cleaning up after Edward.

They thought I didn't understand Franich, but I understood them perfectly.

Picking up on Thomas' cue, Edward immediately held his hand. "Ouch, it hurts!"

Abigail faked a look of concern. She asked urgently, "Ed, what's wrong? Did you get burned?Quick, let's go to the hospital!"

They hurriedly led Edward out of the lounge, leaving only Zoe and me behind.

She glanced at my wound, and there was a flash of sympathy in her eyes.

"You should have that treated too."

I replied coldly, "It's none of your business."

She walked up to me, her tone laced with anger as she said, "I know you blame me for betraying you, but I have my own future to consider.

"My dad's been fired from his previous job and is in dire need of a new one. If he doesn't find one, our whole family will starve!

"Even if you're the Sullivans' biological son, you haven't been acknowledged, and you know it. On the other hand, if I get together with Edward, a life of luxury awaits me!"

She shot me one last glance before grabbing her purse and leaving the lounge.

As I stared after her, I thought it was just too ridiculous.

It turned out that what Zoe wanted had never been love. It was wealth and status.

The restaurant manager sent me to the hospital, where I received treatment for my wounds. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out to see a message from Howard.

"I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Since they aren't treating you like their son, I'll take you home!"

Glancing at my bandaged arm, I replied resolutely, "Okay."