Olivia cut me off with a sharp, mocking laugh.
“How could it possibly be my brother? He’s not that stupid. He’s away at college. There’s no way he’d be at my factory. Your little fantasy is impossible.”
Her certainty made me sick.
Daniel had never been admitted anywhere. He lied about going away to school just to avoid her scolding.
With a gambling addict for a mother and a violent sister, he’d been living under threats his whole life. She even told him flat out: if he didn’t make it into college, he should just marry someone and be done.
Daniel didn’t want to lose his freedom so young, so he worked odd jobs while continuing to study.
And yet, on an ordinary day, his own sister had driven him to death.
Standing nearby, Ryan gloated.
“Mr. Carter, why curse Ms. Carter’s brother like that? Not everyone dies so young…”
Before he could finish, I glared at him and slapped him hard.
“Do you think you get a say here?”
Olivia panicked, rushing forward to shield Ryan.
“Michael, are you insane? Talking is one thing, but hitting him?”
“Ryan, let me see if it hurts. I’ll blow on it for you…”
Her tone, as if soothing a child, made my stomach turn.
Ryan’s eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling.