As I emerged carrying several large shopping bags, Elsa's face turned sour. "What's with the smug look? You're still going to die someday, while Flynn and I will be running big companies."
I smiled at her naivety and carried my bags back to the Taylor residence. In truth, none of the items were for me. They were all gifts for Mom and Eric.
When I got back, Eric was surprisingly at home. He sneered when he saw me. "Well, you haven't been with the Taylor family for long, and you're already hauling bags back like this. Do you really think everything in the Taylor family belongs to you?"
"Eric!" Mom called out in warning. "She is your sister."
Eric smirked. "What kind of sister is she supposed to be? I don't have such a country bumpkin for a sister. I'd be embarrassed to be seen with her."
Eric had never gotten along with me, and I had no intention of provoking him. I calmly took out the gifts. "Mom, this one is for you."
I handed her the box, revealing a delicate silk scarf inside. Then, I distributed gifts to David and the other staff who had cared for me. For the first time, Mom's expression held a rare sense of gratification.
David and the others looked genuinely surprised and flattered.
Eric's expression immediately darkened. "You don't seriously think a few cheap gifts can win people over. Don't flatter yourself—"
"Eric, this one's for you."
As if I hadn't heard him, I took out the last gift. It was a racing car model. "Mom said you like racing. I saw it at the mall and bought it."
He froze for a moment, muttered something under his breath, and took it anyway.
…
Soon, the first day of school arrived.
I had already planned to take a cab, but when I stepped outside, I saw the car still waiting there.
A flicker of delight crossed my face as I ran over. "Eric!"
"Who are you calling? I told you, I'm not your brother," Eric snapped impatiently as he opened the car door. "Stop dawdling and get in. My time is valuable."
"Okay," I replied, handing him the breakfast the housekeeper had packed. "Mom said one for each of us."
A trace of awkwardness flashed across Eric's face. He muttered, "Who even eats breakfast anymore?" Still, he took it.
I raised an eyebrow, thinking to myself that he was all talk.
Before stepping out of the car, he made sure to warn me. "Let me be clear. At school, don't say you're my sister, and don't reveal our relationship. If you do, you'll answer to me."
After issuing his warning, he got out of the car and walked off.
"Ms. Taylor, please don't take it to heart. Mr. Taylor has always been like this since he was young," the driver said in consolation.
I shook my head, said it was fine, and got out of the car as well. By sheer coincidence, I ran into Flynn and Elsa at the school gate again.
Flynn was good-looking and aloof, drawing the attention of many female students. He and Elsa were surrounded by a crowd.
"Did you hear? That's the top-ranked transfer student this year. He's amazing. Even his sister is impressive. She ranked 15th in the city."
"I'm so jealous. I wish I had a brother like him."
Based on academic placement, I was assigned to Class 1. Coincidentally, Flynn and Elsa were placed in the same class as me, while Eric ended up in the very last class.
As soon as I walked into the classroom, Flynn and Elsa followed. Students immediately surrounded them again.
Elsa wore a smug expression as she walked over to my side. "What a coincidence, Enya. I didn't expect us to end up in the same class."
