Chapter 2

The next day, even before dawn broke, I received a call from my mom.

“Harley Goodwin! Did you bully your brother? Get back home right now!”

She hung up after lambasting me.

Over the years, my mom and I hardly interacted with each other. Each time I called to check in on her, she would only care to talk about Clement.

I sighed inwardly.

I only made it back home in the afternoon.

The moment I stepped in through the doors, Clement turned to me with a look of indignation. Sue was next to him, as was Tina and my mom.

The four of them looked at me in disgust.

My mom caressed Clement’s cheek, looking heartbroken.

“Just look at what you’ve done to my darling son!

“Haven’t I taught you since you were young to always give in to your younger brother? Did you forget all about that? They only forgot to include you in their trip, that’s all.

“You’re a grown adult. Why are you being so calculative?”

My mom pointed at me and scolded me harshly. She even grabbed a glass of water from the table and splashed it on my face.

I bowed my head, letting the water drip down my hair onto the floor.

I felt suffocated. When I looked up, I saw Clement standing right behind them.

I turned to glance at Sue, who remained calm and unperturbed.

I knew that once again, no one was going to side with me this time.

“Mom, I’ve been giving in to him all these years.

“When he fought and got injured at the age of seven, you wanted to teach him a lesson yet couldn’t bear to hit him. You hit me instead, accusing me of not being a good role model as his elder brother.

“When he got caught stealing at the age of 18, you made me his scapegoat for fear that it would tarnish his reputation.

“I was locked up in the youth detention centre for ten days and had all my scholarship offers revoked after my release.

“Mom, am I not your son too?”

My mom’s face turned paler with every word I spoke. Toward the end, she shifted her gaze away and even her tone softened.

“I did that for your own good… You’re the elder brother…” She sighed. “At my age, all I want to see is you two getting along with each other.”

As she said so, she retrieved a document from a drawer. It was a property transfer agreement.

I knew exactly what was going on the moment I saw that document.

Scolding me was one thing. This agreement was the true motive for calling me back home today.

Sue tried to soothe my mom.

“Mom, don’t get too agitated. You have heart issues. It’s my fault for not pulling Harley back in time. He was the first to punch Clement. We’ll agree to any compensation.”

I looked at Sue in a daze, then saw a bright smile light up Clement’s face.

“Sue, I knew you dote on me the most.”

I clenched my fists so tight, my nails dug into the flesh of my palms. It sent a sharp pain up my arms.

I heard my mom go on. “Harley, your brother likes your property and its good location. Sign this and let your brother have it by way of compensation.”

I was so furious I chuckled out loud. I didn’t expect my punch to be worth so much money.

After my dad passed away, he left behind one property each for Clement and I.

Now, just because Clement likes it, I have to let him have it.

The indignation I had suppressed for over a decade burst forth at this moment.

I stood up straight and said coldly, “Mom, I’m not giving in this time.”

The look on my mom’s face stiffened, while Clement’s eyes widened in disbelief.

All along, I had been tolerating and giving in. This was my first time pushing back.

Sue tugged at my sleeve and whispered into my ear, “Why are you sounding so righteous when you punched him? It’s just a house. Not like you don’t already have one. What’s the big deal with letting him have it?”

I smirked and cast her a sideways glance.

“If I were to let him have my house this time, should I also let him have you if he says he wants to be with you next…”

Before I was done speaking, my mom slapped me hard on my cheek. The metallic taste of blood spread in my mouth.

My ears started buzzing, and I almost couldn’t hear what my mom was yelling.

“You’re simply outrageous!”