Lance fixed his icy gaze on Freya, and the confidence instantly left her voice.
"I... I'm sorry," she stammered. "I was just joking!"
He didn't even bother to reply. Without giving my sister another glance, he reached into the inner pocket of his tailored suit and pulled out a diamond brooch. His movements were a little stiff, almost shy, as he leaned in and pinned it to my dress.
"This is something I made myself," he said in a low voice. "Happy birthday, Lil Sis."
It seemed like he wanted to hug me. His hands twitched slightly before dropping back down as he hesitated.
I smiled and closed the gap myself, throwing my arms around him in a quick, tight hug.
"Thank you, Lance. You're the best."
His ears turned bright red on the spot. A rare smile softened his usual icy expression.
"Good girl," he murmured. "I'm going to greet the guests. Mom and Dad said they've got a surprise planned for you later."
As he walked off, Freya snapped.
She grabbed my arm, her tone sharp and edgy. "That's impossible! Why is he so nice to you?!"
I frowned and yanked my arm free.
My laugh came out light, almost lazy. "He's my brother. Of course, he treats me well. Doesn't your actress mom spoil you the same way?"
I barely finished the sentence before a sharp voice pierced the air behind her.
"You useless brat! What are you standing around for? Get over here and toast Director Martin and the others—now!"
Freya froze. All the color drained from her face.
She turned her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Mom, can I just talk to Pearl a little longer? Just a few more words, okay?"
Vivian offered her a sugary-sweet smile, clearly performing for me. After all, I was the Gardner family's golden girl.
"Fine. Make it quick."
Then she pinched Freya hard at the waist, out of everyone's view.
Freya flinched. I saw the pain flash across her face before she forced herself to nod and smile.
I sneered inwardly.
[So much for your dream life, huh? You really managed to pick the wrong path in both lifetimes, my dear sister? That takes a special kind of talent.]
Her face turned bright red, shaking with fury.
[You're the loser, not me! I'm already making my own money. I've got fans. People love me. I have a real future!]
I clicked my tongue and gave her a look that was anything but sympathetic.
[Aw, that's rough, dear sissy. Meanwhile, I was born a shareholder of Gardner Industries. I could lie on the couch all day and still burn through more money than I'd know what to do with for the next ten lifetimes.]
That one hit hard. I saw it in her eyes.
In her past life, the billionaire never gave her a single share of anything. The entire family avoided her as if she were cursed. She never found a moment of peace.
[Don't get too full of yourself! Once I win Best Actress, I'll have my fans drag you through the dirt online. I'll crush you under my heel!]
Watching her twist herself into knots, I couldn't help but sigh inside.
[Why is it that every time you oppose me, you never see me as your sister?]
Then, Freya leaned close to my ear, her voice dripping with venom as she loudly voiced out. "It's your big day, Pearl. That freak adopted brother of yours is only putting on a front for everyone. Just wait and see. He'll shatter you, just as he did to me. He'll tear you to pieces and discard you from the Gardner family."
She leaned in and hissed the words in my ear, then stormed off as if she had just revealed some grand truth.
The thing is... she wasn't entirely wrong.
Lance was acting, and he was frighteningly good at it.
From across the room, I watched him mingle with guests, sip wine, and smile politely. But his eyes? They never left me.
Not even once.
Later that night, after the last guest had finally gone, Lance casually made his way over to me, still holding that same unreadable half-smile.
Without a word, he took my wrist and pulled me into a quiet, dimly lit private room nearby.
"My sweet little sister," he said, his voice low and teasing, "you've been very naughty. Don't you think that deserves a little punishment?"
