Chapter 5: Enzo??

Lulu's POV.

Liora’s face burned red, her hands turning into fists by her sides.

“You are such a–”

“If you finish that sentence, I promise you'll crawl instead of kneeling. Wanna try?” I asked, a smug smile spreading across my lips.

The cameras and devices around us kept flashing around us but I didn't care. Liora stared at me for what felt like a minute, probably feeling like she should strangle me or something.

But amidst that anger, I saw the way her shoulders sagged, the way her eyes sparkled with frustration, and the way she trembled.

I didn't need to be told she was contemplating, but of course I didn't have the time for Jasver's little princess to think about it.

“I don't have all the time in the world.”

She clenched her jaw, but her fists deflated as her body slowly lowered. The moment she was on her knees, the hall broke out with gasps and murmurs.

“Good girl, you look better when–” I grinned.

“You are going to pay for treating my woman like that! I promise you!” Jasver suddenly barked, cutting me off.

My gaze darted towards him; his shirt still had the sole print of Enzo's shoe, and that was amusing.

I snorted, waving a hand at him like he just said something stupid. “Come on, man, you can't be serious. Why don't you channel that energy into your crumbling business? I mean, someone's gotta take care of that.”

I heard some people laugh in the crowd, and that only made Jasver's face turn even paler.

Jasver parted and snapped his lips, like he wanted to speak but was trying to pick his words.

Good.

I needed him to think twice before talking to me.

I turned to my brother, who looked like he could pounce on Jasver any moment now.

“Brother, let's go.”

As I looped my hand with Enzo, the crowd of cameras tagged along behind us, some even asking themselves questions that I didn't bother to answer.

“She's Enzo Armani’s sister?”

“Are they perhaps business partners?”

“What kind of relationship do they share?”

Their voices faded into the background as I plopped into Enzo's car, slamming the door shut.

Enzo joined me from the other side of the car, and when he plopped in, I couldn't tell much from his expression, but I saw enough to suspect he was replaying the scenes of what happened in there.

Just before I could start explaining things to me, his gaze shifted towards me, and then he spoke.

“Who's Jasver to you?”

“My ex–husband,” I replied, even though the sound of that made me sick to my stomach.

I would never marry someone like that. Ivelle was the only one capable of that.

His brows furrowed as he shook his head in the negative.

“You come from a wealthy family, and you ended up marrying a dimwit? I expected better, sister,” Enzo stated, displeasure heavy in his tone, and I had no idea why that made my insides tighten.

“Mistakes happen. At least I have nothing to do with him anymore,” I clarified, hoping it'd soften his features.

And it did help; his expression softened.

“Well, that's good. I'm glad you divorced him because if I'd found out sooner, I'd have done more than separate him from you,” he said, and I had no idea why that sent a strange shiver down my spine.

I'd never had anyone look out for me before, and now that my mysterious biological brother came out of nowhere, it felt surreal.

Well, technically all of this wasn't real anyway.

“Ivelle? Did you hear me?” Enzo's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Uh, no, what did you say?”

“I said we're going to meet the rest of the family today. At the estate,” he declared.

“Wow, there's more–” Enzo jerked his head back slightly, so I quickly rephrased, “I mean, wow, I can't wait to meet the family. I keep forgetting that we're a really big family,” I added, chuckling nervously.

“Right. We are. We'd be driving there now,” Enzo said, looking ahead to the driver who gave him a curt nod.

The system flashed red instantly, catching my attention.

CRITICAL PLOT DEVIATION DETECTED.

UNWRITTEN STORYLINE DETECTED.

Unexpected plot direction: Enzo Armani introducing the host to his family members.

The host is about to form new relationships with new characters.

My brows furrowed; what was the problem with this damn system? I mean, if it was going to have a problem with the new inclusions in the plot, why didn't it just take care of it? Why bother me?

The system kept flickering red, triggering a sense of urgency running through my veins.

But what was I supposed to do? Tell Enzo that I didn't want to meet my family? That was going to be weird and suspicious.

I shrugged, ignoring the red system above me. Perhaps it'd come off on its own or something.

Penalty for agreement to plot deviation: 300 rebellion points.

“What the fuck?!” I snapped, staring up at the screen that had now turned blue after deducting my points.

Enzo raised a brow. “What's wrong?”

I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of whatever expression was on my face.

“Um, uh, I just recalled I have something very urgent to attend to. Please, can I meet my family some other time?” I asked, hoping he'd buy my lie and let me go.

But his brows relaxed as he adjusted himself on his seat. “You don't have to attend to anything alone when I'm here. We can go sort that out first, and then you can come with me”

I shook my head in the negative, “No, no, I–I–It’s a trivial issue. I can manage on my own, Enzo. I promise.”

Enzo pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at me like he was trying to consider what I was saying.

My heart palpated in my chest as I waited for a response.

God, I wanted him to say yes. I needed my rebellion points back.

“Fine.”

He looked ahead, staring at the driver through the interior rearview mirror. “Stop the car.”

The car came to a sudden halt.

“Thank you.”

He nodded, extending a card towards me. “That's my card. I reckon you may need this when you need me to come get you. Stay safe, sis, okay?”

I nodded, warmth spreading over me from the way he cared.

Damn, was this what it felt like to have an elder brother? Amazing.

I plopped out of the car, bidding him farewell. As his car disappeared, I turned around, finding myself in front of a restaurant.

I rounded the building until I was at the back where the trash bin was placed.

“Open System Menu.”

Nothing happened.

“System, return my points!” I cried out, but nothing appeared.

Goddamnit.

“System, I didn't go with Enzo; return my fucking points, or I'm going against you, and that's not going to be nice for you!” I threatened, like it would help the situation.

The system still didn't appear.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my purse. I picked it out, staring at the screen.

The notification I saw sent fucking chills down my spine!