Chapter 3

I could practically feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head.

Nobody was trying to take him. Nobody.

Since Violet had come out swinging, I wasn't about to back down either.

I straightened my back, let my eyes go red, and put on an expression of pure innocence that even Ryan couldn't top.

"Vi… I know I grew up poor out in the sticks, but Mom and Dad taught me that family comes first! Ryan collapsed out of nowhere—his face went totally white! I only did CPR because I was scared he was dying! How can anyone say I hit him? If you really think I meant to hurt him, fine—I'll pay with my own life!"

And with that, I lunged straight for the wall.

"Pete! That's not what your sister meant!"

Mom and Dad panicked, rushing to grab me.

My little speech had hit them right in the guilt, and they whipped around to glare at Violet.

"How dare you talk to your brother like that? He just got back and doesn't know anything! What kind of older sister says things like that?"

Violet curled her lip in disgust, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Mom, just let him go. He's been running wild in the countryside—he has no manners!"

She pulled out a gilt-edged invitation and slapped it on the table.

"The invitations for Mr. Harrington's birthday gala came to the office. Our whole family is named on it, and it specifically says Pete has to come."

The room went dead silent. Even Ryan forgot to play victim.

"I was wondering why a family as elite as the Harringtons would invite us. Now it's clear. Ryan's engagement to Sophia must be locked in, and Mr. Harrington wants to meet his future son-in-law."

She shot me a scornful glance.

"And somehow this little savage gets to ride the coattails. Do us all a favor—stay home and don't embarrass Ryan or screw this up for him."

My stomach dropped.

Ride the coattails? This was clearly a warning shot from the boss.

After I passed the interview, Mr. Harrington had planned to ship me straight to Harrington Group's overseas division to groom me as a direct successor. Then the Sanders family suddenly called me back, and Mr. Harrington gave me a month of family leave to properly reconnect.

Now, with that month almost up, I still hadn't reached out.

Maybe I should text him an explanation?

I hesitated, and Mom, thinking I was upset by Violet's words, immediately laid down the law.

"He's your brother. If the Harringtons specifically invited him, he's going. If anyone's missing, or they think our family's falling apart, what happens to this engagement?"

Great. Time to face the big boss.

…

The night of the gala.

I was sipping water, trying to psych myself up to face Mr. Harrington, when I heard muffled cursing coming from the coatroom.

"Why are Mom and Dad suddenly defending Pete?! Why can't he just drop dead?! Both of those biased old bastards should die! Everything in this family should be mine! Sophia should be mine!"

Through the crack in the door, I saw Ryan waving scissors at the painting scroll we were supposed to give Mr. Harrington.

"Nobody gets to be happy!"

Snap.

The blade sliced through the scroll.

At that moment, he must've sensed something—he whipped his head around and locked eyes with me.

Before I could react, he came charging out, shoving the scissors into my hands.

"Pete! What are you doing?!"

Pointing at the ruined painting, Ryan screamed at the top of his lungs, "How could you destroy the gift for Mr. Harrington?! I know you're jealous, but that doesn't mean you can sabotage our whole family!"

Wow.

He was really trying to pin this whole mess on me.