“Whatever.”
She claimed she didn’t care about the whole real and fake daughter drama, but deep down, she still wanted to compete.
But compete for what?
Money?
I had no interest in that.
I almost wanted to tell her outright, I didn’t care about money. But I knew she wouldn’t believe me. No normal person would.
So, I didn’t bother explaining.
Benjamin walked over and sat beside me. “Mom and Dad will be going abroad for a few days. When they return, they’ll make it up to you. They just hope you won’t overthink things.”
“Oh.”
I nodded, feeling like my soul was moments away from drifting out of my body.
Benjamin sighed, looking somewhat helpless, then turned to Emily. “Is the room ready?”
“It’s still being prepared, but since I cherish my sister so much, I want everything to be perfect,” she said with exaggerated sincerity.
Then, after a brief pause, she added hesitantly, “Brother, why don’t we let Sister stay in the guest room tonight?”
Benjamin frowned as if he had already seen through her little scheme. “Luna just came back. How can she stay in a guest room? She’s family, not a guest.”
“I get it, Brother. In this house, I’m the only outsider…”
As she spoke, she actually started crying.
Benjamin rolled his eyes.
I wanted to do the same, but I couldn’t be bothered.
“I can stay anywhere, as long as there’s a window for ventilation,” I said lazily.
Benjamin let out a breath as if relieved that I, the so-called real daughter, wasn’t the demanding type. “Then pick any room you like except for Mom and Dad’s. I’ll personally arrange yours tomorrow.”
Emily, looking thoroughly aggrieved, chimed in, “Brother, I can arrange a room for Sister, too.”
Benjamin completely ignored her and turned back to me. “I have a meeting at the company this afternoon. If there’s anything, we’ll talk about it when I get back tonight.”
“Oh.”
I responded without much interest, still sprawled on the couch like a lifeless corpse.
Benjamin shook his head, clearly helpless against my laziness. Soon after, he left. Judging by his rushed departure, he seemed to hold quite an important position at the company.
When he was gone, Emily turned to me with a bright, almost sickeningly sweet smile. “Sister, I’ll take you to a nice room. You’ll love it.”
“Alright.”
I dragged myself up, though every cell in my body protested the movement. If I could get away with lying here naked like a corpse, I would have happily stayed put. Moving was an absolute chore.
As for Emily’s sudden enthusiasm? That little schemer was clearly up to something.
Sure enough, she led me to a room on the second floor.
The room was spotless, carrying a faint orchid fragrance. Every item was meticulously arranged as if its owner had an obsessive need for order.
From what I had observed so far, the only person in this house who seemed to have an unhealthy fixation with cleanliness was Benjamin.
And sure enough, there it was a framed photo of him sitting right on the desk.
I shot Emily a look, barely suppressing my exasperation.
Seriously? Did she think I was that stupid? Did she really believe I wouldn’t recognize this as Benjamin’s room?
Emily, however, kept up her little act, smiling sweetly. “Sister, if you like this room, you can rest here.”
“Alright.”
I nodded.
I knew she was setting me up, but I couldn’t be bothered to argue. I just wanted a shower and a bed to collapse onto.
Emily stifled a giggle, then bolted out of the room as if afraid I’d suddenly change my mind.
I took a shower, letting the warm water wash away the exhaustion, then flopped onto the bed, ready to sink into oblivion.
But my peace didn’t last long.
In the middle of the night, I was jolted awake by the sound of someone clearing their throat.
I cracked my eyes open, only to find Benjamin standing by the bed, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his expression cold and unreadable.
He was clearly waiting for an explanation.
