บททั้งหมดของ Loved, Cherished, and Prepared for Dissection: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

I did not push my sister, Maya Harper, away. I let her hold me, but my eyes stayed locked on the translucent red panel floating over her head."Go to sleep. Everything will be fine tomorrow," she said.Maya let me go and patted my shoulder. Her eyes were still red-rimmed from crying, but she managed a warm smile."Okay. Good night, Maya."I nodded, entered my room, and locked the door behind me.The moment the lock clicked, my obedient expression vanished.This family of mine was even worse than I imagined.I walked to my desk and pulled open the bottom drawer. Inside lay the expedited lab report that arrived yesterday.Three months ago, the Harpers brought me back from the countryside.Irene Grant and her husband, Michael Harper, had held my hands tightly. They cried as they apologized for all the years I'd suffered.Zane Harper stood beside them, his eyes watery as he called me his brother.Then, three days ago, I came down with a high fever.When I woke up, Michael came

That afternoon, Maya knocked on my bedroom door. She held a large black gift box. Inside it was a bespoke suit."Stephen," she said, "Mom is holding a banquet tonight to celebrate your homecoming."She lifted the suit and held it against me, checking the fit. "I had this custom-made just for you. You'll look dashing in it. You'll be the only star of the evening."Floating above the suit's collar was another line."Beneficiary: Zane Harper.""Objective: Make the fake heir appear more refined at the banquet. A miniature microphone is hidden in the collar to record the real heir's voice. It will be edited with an AI program into a declaration agreeing to donate his heart."I ran my fingers over the fabric and gave her a bright smile. "Thanks, Maya. I love it."Maya's gaze flickered for an instant before she cleared her throat."I'm glad you like it. Go change. The stylist will be here soon. Zane still needs my help, so I'll head over first."She turned and hurried away.After th

The entire ballroom fell silent. All eyes were on me.I looked at Irene, Michael, and Maya. Finally, I turned to Zane. He stood among the crowd, his expression filled with anticipation.My lips curled into a sneer as I flicked my wrist. The champagne splashed across the contract, soaking it."Stephen Harper! Have you gone mad?" Maya shrieked.She reached out to grab my arm. At that moment, the doors were suddenly thrown open."Police! Nobody move!"A team from the Financial Crimes Unit and armed police officers stormed in.The music stopped. The guests screamed and scrambled back, retreating to the corners of the room.Irene froze for an instant.When she recognized the officers' uniform, her expression immediately lit up. She thought that Elise had succeeded, and the police were here to arrest me.Her expression instantly shifted into one of devastation. Pointing at me, she shouted, "Officers! You're just in time! The person responsible for the tax fraud is him! He signed th

At 6:00 am, Michael had completely broken down inside the interrogation room at the police station.His hair was disheveled as he sat in the interrogation chair, yet he still desperately defended Zane."Officers, Zane is innocent! He can't go to jail!" He slammed his hands on the table. "Zane was born under a lucky star! He'll bring us endless fortune and glory! Stephen is the cursed child! It's only right that he gives his heart to Zane!"I stood outside the one-way mirror, watching the man inside who looked completely deranged.He would rather take the blame for murder than abandon his so-called lucky star.In the interrogation room next door, Irene had been summoned too.She was undergoing questioning for the tax investigation as the chairwoman of Harper Corporation.While the officers exchanged documents, she passed by Michael's interrogation room.She had to prevent him from saying anything reckless and dragging her into the drugging case. So, she reached through the bars

Three days later, a meeting was held at Harper Corporation.Despite the scandal, Irene managed to secure her release on bail. She sat at the head of the conference table, her head wrapped in bandages.It was an emergency board meeting.She was prepared to sell off all of Harper Corporation's assets if that was what it took to spare Zane from being convicted.She still believed that Zane was the only child she had with her true love. He was her final hope.Across the table, Elise slid a document for asset transfer toward her.She adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses and said gently, "Ms. Grant, once you sign this document, the funds can be moved overseas through unofficial channels. Mr. Zane will be provided for for the rest of his life. As long as he's alive, there's always a chance to start over."Tears welled up in Irene's eyes as she picked up the pen.Watching from outside the glass, I looked at the scarlet label hovering above the papers."Final Beneficiary: Elise Sawyer.""