Chapter 104 Chloe quickly put away her phone. âIt was just a random disturbing video that popped up in my feed, not a personal message.â
She couldnât let the Winds find out about this. Her orphan status had been the reason she was taken in by the Winds. Besides, there had to be more to her father being alive. A bad feeling settled in her stomach.
She quickly changed the subject.âHowâd you get back? Howâs Luke doing?â
âHeâs better,â Luke replied, withdrawing his hand.âYou mentioned on your livestream that he was sick. What did Alice say?â
Chloe sighed.âShe seemed even angrier. She said I shouldnât have said that in front of so many people.â It had been deliberate.
A public display of moral condemnation to make sure Alice never wanted to return.
But âDonât blame yourself. Alice has changed,â Luke said, glancing around the bedroom, before. hesitating.âChloe, your room was a bit small. I was thinking of renovating the guest room for you.
this bedroom...
bedroom... should go back to Alice. What do you think?â
Chloeâs face froze. She hadnât expected this conversation. Sheâd moved into Aliceâs room, treating it as her own. Moving out had never crossed her mind! And with Alice saying she was cutting ties, Chloe would be the only daughter, deserving the biggest room. But Luke was suggesting âshe move?
Luke said awkwardly, âChloe, donât overthink this. Itâs nothing personal. Aliceâs been upset, so we need to give her room back.â
Aliceâs declaration of severing ties felt like treatment of Alice and Chloe, realizing a slap in the face. Heâd reflected on his unequal change.
the need for fairness. Alice cared, and he needed to âBrother Six, what are you saying? Why would I overthink it? This room is Aliceâs, giving it back. is only right.â Chloe plastered on a sweet, understanding smile. Inside, though, she seethed with hatred for Alice.
Luke relaxed.âI knew you were the most understanding. Alice has a terrible temper; we just have to go with the flow. Donât worry;
I wonât treat you unfairly.â
âI know.â
âOh, right. Those jewels and accessories you were keeping from the party, when Alice apologized, please pack them up. Give them back when she returns.â
Chloeâs smile almost faltered. Moving was one thing, but returning the jewels felt like a physical pain.
Chloeâs eyes welled up.âBrother Six, I know they were just for safekeeping, but I wore them to several events. If I donât wear anything next time, the media might write nonsense.â
âDonât worry, Iâll get you some new jewelry.â
âOkay, thank you, Brother Six. Though resentful, she maintained her composure. Luke sighed. âIf only Alice were as understanding as you.â Things would be so much easier. A hint of mockery flickered in Chloeâs eyes. Her obedience was a performance to win over her brothers. Sheâd endured so much.
After Luke left, Chloeâs cheerful facade crumbled. She thought she was almost on par with Alice.
Chupe thr Reality had slapped her hard.
Her phone buzzed with a second message:âAxiang, no matter how hard you try, youâre not a Wind daughter. Weâre family!â
Hatred burned in Chloeâs eyes. Years of careful planning, treating the Wind brothers as her own, and this was the result? She would always be second to Alice!
Chloe finally opened the first message. It was time to plan her escape. Once Alice returned, sheâd have no place left.
Alice enjoyed the next few days, gaming and streaming. Then, a call from the education board: âThis is Alice, right? Weâre from the education board. There have been multiple reports of cheating regarding your exam results. We need to investigate and request your cooperation at school.â
Cheating allegations?
Alice hung up, feeling a mix of amusement and anger. She didnât need to guess who reported her. The only person whoâd be jealous enough was that white lotus.
She wasnât panicked; her grades were clean. Before leaving, she saw the empty apartment; Jack and Gator were at work. The miniâgame theyâd developed was about to launch. She decided not to tell Jack, taking a cab to school; she could handle this herself.
At school, she found the principal and her homeroom teacher waiting. In the office, a middleâaged man spoke, âYouâre Alice, right? Iâm investigating the exam scores, and I have some questions.â
âAsk away,â she said calmly.
Her teacher jumped in, âAliceâs scores improved dramatically, but she was always a good student. A sudden breakthrough isnât impossible. Sheâs capable, and weâre not afraid of a review.â âThe test papers are still under review. We will investigate fairly and impartially. After the questioning, Alice asked, âWho reported me?â
We canât reveal that. Thatâs all for today. Weâll discuss this further later.â The teacher was anxious. âAlice didnât cheat! Have her take another exam, and youâll see how capable she is!â
Alice was touched by her teacherâs belief in her.
The principal said calmly, âAlice, donât worry. A clean conscience fears no accusations.â Alice nodded.âI know, so Iâm not worried.â
âGood. Thatâs all. You can go now and wait for the results.â
After Alice left, the principal called, âMr. Jack, I need to inform you of something.â
Jack paused his meeting and stepped out. He stared at the cityscape, his voice serious. âShe went to school?â
âYes, to cooperate with the investigation. Sheâs already left. The accuser claims I gave Alice special stationery, assisting her in cheating.â
âRidiculous.â Jack knew the truth; Alice didnât need to cheat. He tapped on the glass, his eyes dark. âI understand.â
2 ¤ Chapter 10-
A chilling smile touched Jackâs lips after hanging up.
Gator emerged from the meeting room. âWhoa, whatâs with that creepy grin? What call was that? âSomeone reported Alice for cheating.â
âSeriously? Whoâs that shameless?â
Jackâs eyes hardened.âSome people think they can get away with anything. Find out who reported her and get the surveillance footage from the exam hall, specifically the adopted daughter of the Winds.â He remembered Alice saying that girl often cheated.
Such people think theyâre clever they probably did something during the Gaokao. If they want to play dirty, heâll play dinier Back in her apartment, Alice was troubled. She knew Chloe was behind it. Such a low blow After much thought, she called the antiâcheating hotline. I want to report someone for cheating.â An eye for an eye. She wasnât sure if Chloe cheated, but based on her usual habit, she might have And it would give Chloe a taste of her own medicine.
While out shopping, she saw a familiar car parked on the street. She quickened her pace, pretending not to see it.
âAlice, wait! Let me explain!â Luke rushed after her. âBig Brotherâs back. Go apologize, or youâre dead!â