I immediately ducked behind Noah, pretending to look frightened.
"Noah, why is Sister so biased? If she'd protected you like this years ago, you wouldn't have had to suffer so much in that orphanage..."
The meaning was clear enough—you lost your own brother, and instead of feeling guilty, you're threatening people to protect the fake one? Are you serious?
Sure enough, the faces of Uncle James and Aunt Mariz darkened instantly.
Sheila's chest heaved with anger, clearly about to retort, but I discreetly pinched my brother's waist.
He caught on immediately, covering his face and sobbing dramatically.
"If Sister doesn't like me, then I'll just go back to the orphanage! Come on, Lenon, let's go!"
Uncle James' patience finally snapped.
Smack!
The sound of his palm echoed through the courtyard as it met her cheek.
"Unfilial child! This is how you welcome your brother home? Get out of my sight!"
Sheila clutched her face, glaring at us resentfully but not daring to talk back.
My brother and I exchanged a victorious look.
First battle—won!
But just as we stepped through the doorway, we were greeted by the sight of a boy standing on a stool, tearfully tying a rope around the chandelier.