Chapter 2 Influencer Sister Faces Assassination

• Early the next morning, on a train bound for Eastport, Finnley sat with his eyes closed, resting while his mind wandered. He imagined what his eldest sister, Melanie Fallow, must look like now. She had to be stunning. But would she even recognize him after all these years?
• Suddenly, a sweet voice came from the seat next to him. "Hey guys, it's me, Madeline Kennedy. Welcome back to my livestream! I'm currently on the train from Highcrest to Eastport, and I'm bringing you all along for the ride…"
• "That voice… Maddie?" Finnley's eyes shot open, and he glanced over in the direction of the voice.
• There she was, as beautiful as her voice, livestreaming to her followers. She wore a light white dress, her delicate eyebrows perfectly shaped, her long, dark lashes fluttering with every blink. Her lips, soft and pink like ripe peaches, and her flawless, heart-shaped face made her look like a masterpiece. Her large, dreamy eyes sparkled with innocence and beauty.
• It really is Maddie! Finnley's heart raced with excitement as memories from their childhood flooded back. He remembered how Madeline always insisted on teaming up with him during hide-and-seek. They'd hide together in the bushes, where none of the other sisters could find them. And the candy they won? Madeline never ate hers, always saving it to give to him.
• Finnley almost jumped up to reunite with her, but then he hesitated. "Grandpa said women can change over time. Maybe I should keep my identity a secret for now and see how she reacts when we meet again."
• But before Finnley could make a move, he sensed something sinister—a sudden and unmistakable presence of danger.
• Frowning, he discreetly followed the source of the threat and spotted a man wearing glasses sitting diagonally across from them. The man's eyes, sharp and menacing, were fixed on Madeline, but it wasn't with admiration like the other passengers. No, his gaze was cold and murderous. He looked at her like she was already dead.
• Has Mel gotten herself into trouble? Finnley wondered. He'd always been good at reading people, and the moment the man moved, a fine needle, no thicker than a strand of hair, shot out toward Madeline, who was oblivious, still smiling and chatting with her viewers.
• Without wasting a second, Finnley sprang into action, lunging toward her just as the needle zipped through the air.
• "Ah!" Madeline let out a surprised yelp as Finnley crashed into her, pulling her tightly into his arms.
• "What—who are you?!" Madeline felt the strong presence of a stranger and panicked, trying to free herself from his grasp. But Finnley's arms were like steel, unmovable.
• The man with glasses scowled in frustration. He'd assumed this would be an easy job—just taking out a defenseless woman—but suddenly, some unexpected hero had appeared.
• "Mind your own business!" the man snarled. He leaped up, grabbing onto the luggage rack with one hand and launching himself into the air. He kicked out at Madeline, the tip of his shoe revealing a double-edged blade.
• Madeline had just managed to wriggle free from Finnley's arms when the bladed shoe came inches from her face, her complexion turning pale with fear.
• "You've got a lot of nerve attacking my wife!" Finnley roared. Anyone who dared to lay a hand on Madeline was as good as dead.
• With one arm still holding Madeline protectively, Finnley grabbed the man's ankle with his free hand.
• The man was a well-trained assassin, and he expected to break free easily. But he hadn't anticipated Finnley's immense strength.
• Crack!
• Finnley twisted the assassin's ankle in one swift motion, snapping it like a twig.
• The man howled in pain, stumbling back several steps. He glared at Finnley, stunned. Who the hell is this guy?
• Desperately, the assassin tried to escape, but it was too late. Finnley moved like lightning, delivering a brutal punch to the man's face. The force crushed his nose, and the man flew several feet backward, slamming into a row of seats. He collapsed, blood dripping from his mouth, completely motionless.
• Finnley nodded in satisfaction. That punch would keep the assassin out cold for days.
• Turning his attention back to Madeline, who was still shaken from the encounter, Finnley gently took her cold hand in his and asked tenderly, "Are you okay, honey? Did I scare you?"
• Madeline snapped out of her daze, glaring at him. "What the hell are you talking about? Who are you calling your wife? Let go of me!"
• "You, of course." Finnley grinned. "Do you see anyone else here good enough for me?"
• "You—" Madeline trembled with frustration, but then she remembered—her livestream was still on! She quickly glanced at the screen, only to see the chat exploding with comments.
• 'If you're married, why would you lie to us saying you're single?! That's just emotional betrayal!'
• "Yeah! Total scam!"
• Panic washed over Madeline as she tried to explain to her viewers. "Guys, I don't know him! He showed up out of nowhere!"
• Finnley pouted and, in an exaggeratedly sad voice, said, "What do you mean you don't know me? We used to sleep in the same bed! You even tucked me in and kissed my cheek!"
• Her eyes widened in horror as she watched her follower count plummet. "You jerk! Do you know how many followers I just lost because of you?!"
• "Hey, I saved your life! Didn't you see that guy? He tried to kill you!" Finnley pointed to the assassin, who was now lying unconscious a few feet away.
• However, Madeline was now too flustered by her shrinking fan base to care about anything else.
• Finnley sighed to himself. She hasn't changed at all since we were kids. Still the same ol' Maddie.
• Watching her face flush with frustration, he couldn't resist pinching her cheek. Yup, still feels the same.
• Madeline's eyes went wide with shock. "You pervert! Creep!" She grabbed her bag and swung it at him.
• Just then, the train came to a stop. Seizing the moment, Finnley bolted. Who knew that his usually delicate and dainty sister could pack such a punch?!
• "Don't you dare run away!" Madeline shouted after him, furious. She couldn't believe this guy not only cost her followers but had the nerve to touch her.
• Finnley darted through the train car, heading for the exit. "Like hell, I'm not running!"
• "Get him! Catch that pervert!" Madeline yelled, but her cries did nothing to slow Finnley down as he disappeared into the crowd.