Chapter 35

When Lydia heard her sons out, she shot them a stern look. “Seriously, Sienna’s been pampered her whole life. Learning to work hard and cook for this variety show isn’t exactly a walk in the park for her!”

After a moment’s pause, she suggested, “What if Jamar and Semna just quit the show?” It would save them from any more drama and prevent any clashes with Thorbe.

Leon was quick to jump in, shaking his head. “No way! Letting them quit now would just damage their reputation.” It was no better than giving in to Phoebe. He added, “Plus, Sienna has always dreamed of making it in entertainment. If she bails now, it’ll be a huge letdown for her.”

Lydia chimed in, “So, what’s the plan then?”

Leon had an idea. “How about we just call Phoebe and ask her to step back?”

Lydia hesitated. “You want me to call her?”

Leon nodded. “Yeah, she really cares about your health. Just tell her you haven’t been feeling well and that you’d like her back home. Have you been sleeping poorly lately?” He added, seeing the opening, “This could be the perfect chance to bring her back without too much fuss. As long as she leaves the variety show, we can make it up to her later. After all, she’s our sister. We won’t let her down.”

When the time was right, he’d arrange for Phoebe to get some better opportunities. Then Cain pitched in, “If we can get her back on board, I can give her a role as the second female lead in my new drama.” The main one was already set for Stenn.

Lydia replied with a hint of understanding. “Alright, I’ll give her a call. But doesn’t everyone have to turn in their phones in the show?” Since she’d been cooped up at home for days, she had been watching the livestream.

Leon chimed in, “No worries, I’ll just reach out to the director’s team to get Phoebe’s current number.”

Lydia nodded in agreement. “Sounds good.”

Before long, Leon had a new number from the director’s team. Lydia grabbed her phone and dialed.

In the courtyard, Phoebe was busy weaving storage baskets. When her phone rang, she picked it up and checked the screen. The caller ID showed just the number, but she immediately recognized it as Lydia’s. She had memorized all her family’s numbers, driven by her desire for connection.

Phoebe answered, hit record, and switched to loudspeaker mode. “Hello,”

Before long, Lydia chimed in, “Phoebe, it’s me.”

Phoebe’s tone was wary as she replied, “What’s up!”

Lydia said, “I haven’t been feeling great lately, struggling to sleep. I’d like you to come back tomorrow.”

Phoebe chuckled. “Come back to whip up your soup and give you a massage?”

Lydia felt a bit caught off guard—yeah, that was part of it. But hearing it from Phoebe made it sound kind of embarrassing. “I just want you back to check on me,” Lydia insisted.

Phoebe shot back, “So it’s not that you miss me. Just needing a hand because you’re unwell. Is that all I am to you, a handy ladle maid?”

Lydia felt a blush creep in. She was used to Phoebe caring for her, but now that she wasn’t around, it stung a bit. Still, she wouldn’t admit that out loud, putting on a front. “What’s with your tone? I’m your mother! If I say come back, you come back!”

Lexie couldn’t help but frown when she heard the voice coming through the microphone.

Phoebe asked, “Do you know I’m on a variety show!”

Lydia replied, “Of course I know. But it’s just a variety show. It’s not a big deal for you to come back.”

Phoebe shot back, “I see. You don’t want me to keep going because Sienna’s performance on the show was just so—so…” She added pointedly, “You just called me to suggest I quit.”

Lydia didn’t expect Phoebe to see through their intentions. While she didn’t admit it outright, she said, “I watched the live broadcast. Sienna did really well. If you come back, Leon can help you land some decent gigs. Cain said his new drama could offer you the second lead role.”

She sounded like they were doing her a huge favor.

Phoebe scoffed, “Well, thanks a lot. Leon’s connections?! I wouldn’t dream of asking for those. Who knows how many traps are waiting for me? It’s happened before, and I’m not falling for it again. Cain’s new drama—Sienna is the lead, right! Do you really want me to keep playing the supporting role for her?”

Lydia was on the speaker, too. Cain, known for his impulsive temperament, didn’t hold back. “Thorbe, don’t be ungrateful. If you weren’t our sister, we wouldn’t even bother with you. There’s nothing wrong with playing the second female lead for Sienna. Why do you always compare yourself to her? Can’t you just chill?”

Lexie frowned at this. Is this really how people talk? Helping an adoptive sister out while pushing their real sister down! What a twisted dynamic, she thought.

Phoebe shot back, “I guess I’m just ungrateful then. What are you going to do about it! You guys were the ones who tried to freeze me out of the industry, and you did. Go ahead, keep trying. I’m not scared.”

Lydia chimed in, clearly annoyed, “Phoebe, stop being dramatic. We’re family here. We won’t hold anything against you if you come back tomorrow.”

Lydia couldn’t help but feel annoyed that Phoebe refused to come home even though she had personally called her.

Phoebe replied coolly, “Just a reminder, I’ve cut ties with your whole family. So don’t try to guilt-trip me. If you’re feeling unwell, just go see a doctor. And if something happens to your family down the line, don’t expect me to be there.”

After she finished talking, Phoebe didn’t even wait for Lydia and the others to respond—she just hung up the phone.

The busy tone echoed from her phone at the Jenkins family house, making Lydia’s expression darken even more. She tightened her grip on her cup of water, fuming, “How dare they act like this!” Yet, beneath her anger was an unsettling emptiness. Does Phoebe really not care even when I’m not feeling well? she wondered.

The four brothers wore similar grim looks. “She’s becoming more defiant by the day,” Leon said, narrowing his eyes. “Let’s teach her a lesson.” He was convinced that with them around, Phoebe wouldn’t be able to snag any good opportunities in the entertainment world after this variety show. They had to push back hard.

Lydia was also determined to rein in Phoebe’s attitude. “She needs to learn a lesson,” she said, then added, “But don’t forget she’s still your sister. Don’t go too far!”

Leon smirked. “Don’t worry, Mom, we know what we’re doing.” If it were anyone else, he would have pulled out all the stops a long time ago. But since it was his sister, he wanted to keep her under their control.

Lexie glanced at Phoebe with a hint of sympathy. “Your mom and your brothers are really something else.” Honestly, if she had relatives like that, she wouldn’t be able to handle it either. No wonder Phoebe felt the need to cut ties with them.

Phoebe shrugged, a smile on her face. “You just get used to it.” She struggled to wrap her head around the Jenkins family’s mindset. They clearly favored Sienna and told her not to compete with her, yet when she distanced herself, they seemed to be watching her closely.