Chapter 231

Sienna had no intention of letting that ruler land on her. She quickly ducked behind Cain, using him as a shield. “My hand still hurts. Let’s just forget about this punishment, okay?”

The etiquette instructor was having none of it. Her eyes were sharp and merciless. “No. If you try to avoid it again, the punishment will double.”

Cain hadn’t expected his mother to bring in such a rigid and old-fashioned etiquette teacher. “Who do you think you are?” he snapped. “We hired you to teach etiquette, not to hit people. Don’t go around acting like you have actual authority.”

The instructor gave him a look of pure disdain. “Your manners are appalling. You don’t behave like a proper heir at all. Your mother hired me. If you have complaints, take them up with her. But for now, the punishment stands.” Then she pulled out her phone. “Should I call her so you can discuss it with her directly?”

Sienna’s heart almost leaped out of her chest. No way. Lydia hated displays of affection between siblings. If she found out about this, she’d be furious.

Sienna had no choice but to stretch out her uninjured hand. “Fine. I’ll take the punishment.” The etiquette instructor didn’t hesitate. She grabbed Sienna’s hand firmly with one hand and, with the other, brought the ruler down hard—ten times in total.

Sienna burst into tears. This time, it was real pain. She looked down at her now red and swollen hand, on the verge of breaking down completely. Life had always gone so smoothly for her. When did it all go so wrong? It was all Phoebe’s fault. If that wretched girl had just stayed in the family and enjoyed her rich heiress life, everything would have been fine. But no—she had to be dramatic, sever ties, and leave. And now she was the one suffering because of it.

Cain felt his heart ache watching Sienna cry. He was about to scold the etiquette instructor and comfort Sienna when—

Joshua spoke up in a calm but firm voice. “Cain, if you don’t want Mom to come back and be even angrier at Sienna, then shut your mouth.”

Cain hesitated, biting back his words. Sienna, too, was fuming inside. But before she could do anything, the etiquette instructor forcefully pulled her off the couch and shoved her into a wheelchair. Then, without waiting for a word of protest, she pushed her straight upstairs. “Back to your room. More etiquette lessons.”

Sienna sat in the wheelchair, her face dark and stormy. She had been this close to getting Cain’s luck, only for this damn old woman to ruin everything. She wanted to scream.

Once Sienna was gone, Joshua sat beside Cain and leaned in slightly. “Are you stupid?” he muttered. “She literally just asked for your luck, and you were about to give it to her?”

Cain looked at him blankly. “It was just a joke. Why are you so worked up?”

Joshua sighed in exasperation. “And what if it wasn’t a joke? What if she actually can take your luck? I’ve heard stories in the entertainment industry—people stealing luck, borrowing luck… even borrowing lifespan.” He looked Cain dead in the eyes. “So if someone asks you for your luck, never agree so casually.”

Cain scoffed. “You’re being ridiculous. There’s no way something that superstitious is real.” He shrugged carelessly. “Besides, Sienna has been having bad luck lately. Even if she really could take some luck from me, what’s the big deal?”

Joshua nearly collapsed in frustration. “This idiot is even dumber than a pig.”

He had been careful not to tell Cain too much, per Leon’s warning, knowing full well Cain would probably run straight to Sienna. But if this was his mindset, then forget it. Joshua threw up his hands. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don’t come crying to me when everything in your life starts falling apart.”

“And while you’re at it, open your eyes and take a good look at Sienna. She doesn’t care about you as much as you think. She only says nice things—she never actually does anything for you.”

Cain frowned, irritated. “Enough already. You guys are obsessed with targeting Sienna. It’s annoying.” His voice turned even more disapproving. “And you, Joshua—she already apologized to you. Why are you still holding a grudge? So petty.”

Joshua was beyond words. ‘Seriously? I’m trying to help you, and you’re calling me petty?’ “Fine,” he snapped. “I’m petty. You’re the generous one. I’ll just sit back and watch as your life turns into a disaster.” With that, he stormed off, leaving Cain behind—just as furious.

Cain huffed. ‘My brothers have all lost their minds.’ Upstairs, Jamar was already waiting outside Joshua’s room. “How’d it go?” he asked.

Joshua sighed. “Let’s talk in the garden.” Jamar nodded, and the two made their way outside. Once they were seated, Joshua turned to him. “That etiquette instructor—you sent her, didn’t you?”

Jamar smirked. “Of course. Cain’s too much of an idiot. I had to use a workaround. So? Did it help?”

Joshua relayed everything that had just happened—including Cain’s frustratingly stubborn words. Jamar pinched the bridge of his nose. “Wow. He’s a lost cause. I’ll check with Leon.” He quickly called Leon and filled him in. Leon, on the other end, was completely speechless. “Cain has the brain of a pig,” he muttered. “Let me ask Phoebe.”

After hanging up, Leon tagged Phoebe in their group chat and sent a voice message explaining everything. Phoebe, upon hearing it, wasn’t even surprised. Cain had never experienced losing his luck before, and more importantly, he was Sienna’s most devoted lapdog. It would take more than just a warning to make him wake up. She sent a message: [Sienna still needs him for now. My guess is she’ll only take about a third of his luck. It won’t completely ruin his life, but within seven days, he’ll start experiencing a streak of terrible luck. It won’t be fatal.]

From her perspective, someone this willing to hand over their luck didn’t need saving. ‘Let him learn the hard way. Besides, it was impossible to guard against. Even if we stopped it today, what about tomorrow? What if Sienna and Cain were alone together—who would stop it then? Joshua had already made things painfully clear. Yet Cain still thought, ‘Even if I do give her my luck, so what?’ If that was his attitude—then let him do it.

Leon read her message and came to the same conclusion. Losing a third of his luck wouldn’t kill him. It would just make his life miserable for a while. If he wanted to throw it away so badly, let him. Leon replied: [Got it. I’ll leave him be.]

Then, he called Jamar and Joshua to let them know. “If we can’t stop him, don’t bother trying anymore,” he said. “Let him dig his own grave.” Jamar and Joshua agreed. They even started making bets on how soon Cain would start regretting it.

But what none of them expected was that Leon would be the first one to nearly fall into a trap that very night.