Chapter 169

Chapter 169 Joel had always been a doting brother, practically without any limits when it came to his younger sister.

Being the fourth child, with three outstanding older brothers, he was often seen as the least bright among them, always living in their shadows. But when his younger sister was born, so small and delicate, he found a new purpose.

Winslet always relied on him. He grew up protecting Winslet as his knightly creed. He found his meaning of existence in front of Winslet. He would be needed by Winslet and worshiped by her.

That continued for 18 years until the day Madeline was brought back home. On the surface, Winslet accepted Madeline and warmly welcomed her, but deep down, she was heartbroken, crying in Joel’s room night after night.

Joel didn’t care about blood relations–he felt that, after 18 years, it was wrong to bring a stranger into their family. The more upset Winslet became, the more he grew to hate the intruder.

Joel personally accompanied Winslet to the airpon, sitting with her in the waiting room. He hesitated before speaking, “Winnie, are you hungry? It’s a long flight, should I go buy something for you to ear?”

“No need. Joel. Remember? You can order food on the plane,” Winslet replied, wearing a mask.

“The food on the plane isn’t good,” Joel insisted.

Winslet shook her head and said, “It’s no trouble. Joel. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Things abroad aren’t great–the food isn’t good, the weather is different, and with the language barrier, many things will be inconvenient for you. Plus, you’re still recovering. You need someone to care for you,” Joel said, his voice heavy.

His eyes reddened slightly and he continued, “Winnie, let me go abroad with you.”

Winslet stared at Joel, wavering for a moment. He had always doted on her, and even now, he was the only one standing by her side. But then she thought of the millions in debt Joel was carrying.

She bit her lip, shook her head firmly, and said, “Joel, I don’t want you to sacrifice so much for me. Your career and life are here.

I won’t be gone forever. I just need to lie low for a while.

Winslet grabbed Joel’s hand and continued, “Please, live your life well. Don’t make me worry about you while I’m abroad”

As Winslet spoke, it was time for boarding. She turned and walked away without looking back She had 2 million dollars, and she knew she would live well abroad. She couldn’t afford to soften her heart, for it would only bring more suffering Joel returned home in a daze, unable to lift his spirits for days.

Meanwhile, Layla finally saw Sharon at a cafe. Sharon swirled her coffee, a mocking smile on her face.

“Sharon, what did the family say about the annulment? I told Mr. Horton everything, taking all the blame myself, without dragging you down. O family is in trouble. You have to help us,” Layla said.

Layla lowered her head, unable to meet Sharon’s sharp gaze.

Sharon scoffed and said. “Your family is cursed. No wonder you were kicked out, and you don’t deserve to ever return to Japrium. You’ve nothing but bad luck. You almost got me killed in a car accident, and when I tried to help your daughter, she ended up ruining her face.”

“To be honest, Thomas fortune used to be much better. Tve been meaning to tell him to divorce you. You’re a jinx You’ve ruined your own family and now ours,” Sharon added, her tone dripping with contempt..

Layla trembled. She had been driven out of japrium before because of her humble origins, dragging Thomas down with her. The Larson family in Japrium always mocked her as a jinx, and now it was happening again.

“Sharon, how could you say that? You’re the one who convinced Winslet to get plastic surgery!” Layla protested, her hands trembling Sharon smirked, slamming her coffee cup down. She said, “Winnie... Your daughter, that brainless fool, has some ambition but no brains. She’s a complete waste. Just wait. When I return to the family, they completely abandon you From now on whether you live or die, you’re on your own. With one last disdainful glance at Layla, Sharon walked away, her eyebrows raised. She had long planned to get back at the Larson family, and now that they were of no use to her, she didn’t even bother pretending anymore. Useless things had no place in her world.

Layla collapsed into her seat. If only the had valued Madeline earlier, she could have had powerful allies like the Clorious Group or Caleb arp 12.15 PM Chapter 169 Nolan on her side. But now, she was completely despised, which was hard to bear.

Now Winslet had even gone abroad. In her desperation, Layla pulled out her phone and, against her better judgment, dialed Madeline’s number.

The number you have dialed is unavailable...” Layla called several more times, only to realize she had been blocked. Even her WhatsApp messages couldn’t be delivered. She was utterly hopeless.

She really wanted to kneel and beg Madeline to return to the Larson family, otherwise they would be completely hopeless. But Layla also knew that, with the unfair treatment she had given to Madeline, Madeline wouldn’t be bothered to care.

The regret gnawed at her heart like a deep–rooted stain, swelling her entire being with pain.

Soon after, the Uprian English Level 4 exam in December arrived.

Madeline had finished filming her scenes and focused solely on her exam. She completed the test easily, and as the bell rang, students filed out of the exam hall in an orderly manner.

As she packed up her pencil case, someone suddenly ran up and hugged her from behind.

Startled. Madeline looked up and saw Gavin’s smiling face. She asked, “Garvy, why are you here so soon?”

iv little “I finished early and came to wait for you. You’ve gained weight under Nolan’s care. I was worried sick about you while I was abroad, afraid my piggy would waste away, Gavin said, pinching her cheek.

Madeline wrinkled her nose and said, Tm not a pig!”

Gavin parted her head and teased, You’re my little piggy. Let’s have dinner off–campus tonight, my treat”

“Okay. You were away for a couple of weeks, right? What were you doing?” Madeline agreed, tugging at his sleeve, “Are you interrogating me?” Gavin chuckled as they walked. He said, “I was working. Not a single woman around me, not even a female fly”

Madeline giggled. She couldn’t care less.

Just then, a voice called out, “Maddie”

Gavin lazily glanced up, ready to see which clueless guy dared to approach his little sister. To his surprise, it was the third son of the Larson family. Jacob.

Gavin muttered, Tch. Looks like someone’s asking for trouble.”