Chapter 20

Carmen gave a gentle smile and didn’t push. “If it’s not convenient, then forget it.”

Even though Carmen said that, the disappointment in her eyes was obvious.

Carmen went on, “When I visited GOD’s Fury today and saw how much those guys stood up for Aubree, I felt a little jealous. It reminded me that you used to be really close with your old teammates, too. Is it always like this–when you’ve won something together, the bond just hits differently?”

“You know I was born with a heart condition. I can’t run or jump, and I didn’t have many friends growing up. I often played LOL, and I’m not bad at it. I was just wondering if maybe I could join your team… make some friends.”

Then Carmen gave a small smile and pressed her lips together. “But I wasn’t thinking it through. The upcoming matches for Apex Squad are really important. I shouldn’t put you in a tough spot. I’m sorry!” She bowed slightly and turned to leave.

As she turned, Carmen silently counted in her head. When she hit three, Emery’s voice came from behind her. Her lips curved up slightly.

“It’s fine. It’s just one match. If you want to play, go ahead. But, Carmen, could you just play in the first game?” Emery asked.

Emery gave in after all. No matter what, he couldn’t bring himself to turn down the little sister he once spoiled so much.

Emery figured if GOD’s Fury’s main mid wasn’t playing, Carmen’s level was good enough to hit the pro threshold. Worst case, they’d lose the first match—just count it as doing a favor for the other team.

Carmen perked up with joy, spun around, and threw her arms around Emery, “Thank you, Emery!”

But the moment Carmen hugged him, Emery caught himself thinking, “If only this were Aubree…”

From the angle Emery couldn’t see, Carmen had a smug, satisfied smile on her face.

Carmen had it all planned out. Aubree must’ve gotten close to Alvin through the game. As long as she could show her skills on the field, Alvin would definitely see her in a new light.

In the room next door, Bryan couldn’t sleep. Everything that had happened today flashed through his mind like a slideshow, keeping him wide awake.

“Bryan, help me!” A young Aubree, her face streaked with tears and eyes full of fear, had once looked up at him, begging for help.

But Bryan just stood there, unable to do anything.

Bryan thought, “Emery’s right—I never dared to face what really happened back then.”

The guilt once felt for Aubree had slowly turned into fear. Fear of her presence.

“But it isn’t like I treat her badly! I’ve been trying to make it up to her.”

Frustrated, Bryan rubbed his forehead and pulled out his phone, opening the file he’d been avoiding all this time.

His assistant was thorough. Every detail was marked clearly in the report.

[Ms. Miller seems short on money lately. She’s been looking for part-time work. I suggested she ask her family for help, but she refused and told me to keep her financial situation a secret.]

[Ms. Miller has been tutoring classmates to earn money.]

“She’s tutoring now?” Bryan frowned.

His assistant had mentioned this, but Bryan hadn’t thought much of it at the time—just assumed she was messing around again.

Bryan kept reading—

[Ms. Miller earned a decent amount over the past two months. She used it to secretly prepare a birthday surprise for you—a designer tie in the range. It’s really stylish and fits your vibe perfectly.]

“A tie? My birthday?” Bryan froze.

Bryan remembered seeing Aubree sneaking around one night, holding something. She looked guilty when she saw him.

Further down was a photo of the tie, snapped secretly by the assistant.

The second he saw it, Bryan’s mind went blank. That the tie was from Aubree? No way.

Bryan remembered that day—his birthday.

Carmen had made a big deal in front of the whole family about giving him a gift. She’d emphasized that she’d earned the money for it herself.

But the gift went missing.

The whole house had been turned upside down, and eventually the tie was found in Aubree’s backpack. It looked exactly like the one Carmen had described.

Aubree cried and said she bought it herself, but no one believed she had the money.

When Aubree said she’d earned it through part-time work, their parents were furious. They thought she was lying and punished her.

That night, while the whole family celebrated his birthday, Aubree was beaten black and blue and locked in the dark, damp basement.

Back then, Bryan didn’t feel much. He just thought Aubree was shallow and greedy.

Bryan might not trust Aubree, but he trusted the report his assistant gave him.

“If all this is true…” Bryan’s breathing quickened.

Bryan had never been short on gifts his whole life. But this—this was the first time someone had put that much heart into his birthday.

He’d thought it was Carmen…

“You’re the best brother in the world!” Aubree said. She had once held up a finance magazine, eyes filled with pure admiration.

But now, Aubree only said coldly, “If you ever touch me again, Bryan, I'll take you down with me!”

Suddenly, Bryan’s head buzzed like it had been hit. Something inside him was already slipping out of his control.

Bryan’s mouth opened slightly, but no sound came out. His face turned pale, eyes still full of confusion. “Aren’t I already trying to make it up to her?”

Bryan put down the phone. He didn’t keep reading. He’d find a chance to ask about the tie later. As for Aubree, next time they met, he’d apologize first.

The next day, Aubree went to training at the base as usual.

In the evening, Aubree left slowly. The driver scheduled to pick her up had something come up. She didn’t want to bother Hugh, so she said she’d just call a cab.

As soon as she stepped out of Ellis Heights and got to the roadside, Aubree saw a familiar car. Alice’s red Ferrari.

Aubree frowned, then saw a middle-aged woman in a custom-tailored suit step out of the car, and two bodyguards followed behind.

“Aubree!” Alice called out to her.

Aubree didn’t want anything to do with her. She turned and took off running. Alice, in high heels, couldn’t keep up and quickly yelled at the bodyguards to stop her.

Aubree didn’t get far before the bodyguards caught up and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to a stop. They pinned her between them like she was some kind of criminal.

“Why are you running?” Alice finally caught up, out of breath and furious.

“Would you stay if someone treated you like a criminal?” Aubree snapped.

Even though there weren’t many people in this area, there was still the occasional passerby, and some had already started glancing their way.

Alice’s face turned red from embarrassment. She waved to the bodyguards to let go.

With them behind and Alice in front, there was no way Aubree could get away.

So Aubree just stood there, staring at Alice. “Ms. Diamonde, you’re an internationally famous designer. What brought you here today to bother someone as unimportant as me?”

Her sarcastic tone made Alice furious, but she held it in—for Carmen’s sake.

“You’re a girl. You can’t keep running around all the time. Come home with me,” Alice said.

Then Alice softened her voice a little. “Aubree, I know you’re upset. When we get home, I’ll have your brothers apologize to you, okay? We’re family. Don’t be mad anymore. Come home with me, and help Carmen out. You’ll still be my good girl."

“If Carmen really gets kicked out of Rithal Art School, it’ll be such a disgrace. If people talk, her reputation might be hit.”

Before, if Alice had said this, Aubree probably would’ve happily run home and thrown herself at Carmen’s feet, never mind just being her backup.

But this time, Aubree laughed.

Alice said a lot. She even mentioned making those spoiled guys apologize. But not once did she mention Carmen lowering her head.

Because in Alice’s mind, even if her sons were wrong and had accused Aubree without proof—Carmen had done nothing wrong. She was just scared of losing her family’s love.