Chapter 9 Backfire

• He sneered coldly, though the smile never reached his eyes. "Quite different, indeed."
• The woman had persistently and fearlessly provoked him. She even had the audacity to offer herself up. How could he let her go so easily?
• Didn't she claim she wanted to personally treat his illness? Then he'd give her the chance—let her treat him well!
• ...
• The Nelson Mansion.
• Charmaine was packing in her room.
• She only had a backpack, a laptop, and a sketchbook when they brought her back to the Nelsons a few months ago.
• That was all she took with her.
• But no matter how much Charmaine searched, she couldn't find the sketchbook anywhere.
• Her gaze roamed around the guest room, barely twenty square feet. It seemed the last time she had drawn a design sketch was when Leah had visited a couple of weeks ago to invite her to choose a birthday dress together.
• Charmaine didn't linger. She grabbed her things and walked out.
• As she pushed the door open, Leah stood at the entrance. Charmaine didn't know when she had gotten there.
• Upon seeing Charmaine with her luggage, Leah bit her lip and resumed her pretentious act.
• "Chara."
• Charmaine had no patience for Leah's act. Without a glance, she walked past her.
• Leah's words caught in her throat; her expression briefly flustered as she almost couldn't hide her reaction.
• She turned to watch Charmaine's graceful figure walk away, her eyes cold and malicious.
• Since Charmaine returned to the Nelsons, she had always been humble, compliant, and eager to gain the family's acceptance and affection. She even generously tried to be sisters with Leah while maintaining harmony.
• But Leah would never let Charmaine have her way.
• With a few tricks and calculated tears, Leah successfully convinced the family that Charmaine was two-faced, pretending to be nice while secretly targeting her and bullying her. This stirred up the family's sympathy for Leah and deepened their dislike for Charmaine.
• Every time Charmaine suffered such injustice, hadn't she obediently endured it?
• But tonight, Charmaine was acting like a completely different person—so out of character!
• She had insulted their brothers, talked back to their mother, and even brazenly declared she wanted to cut ties with the family.
• Could it be she had found something out?
• The thought crossed Leah's mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
• If Charmaine really knew something, things would have blown up by now. She wouldn't simply ask to cut ties with the family.
• Only a fool would give up being a daughter of the Nelsons!
• It must be because tonight's birthday party was all about her. Leah was the center of attention, surrounded by her parents and the high society of Eragos, celebrating her special day.
• Meanwhile, Charmaine was forced to stay alone in her room, feeling completely ignored. The stark contrast must have filled Charmaine with envy and resentment.
• This whole show she was putting on—wasn't it just to make a scene and gain sympathy, trying to get the family to care about her again?
• It seemed Charmaine had gotten a bit smarter, using a different tactic this time.
• Leah sneered. The Nelsons' cherished daughter could only be her. No matter how much Charmaine tried, she couldn't change that.
• You want to steal my affection and glory?
• Dream on!
• At that moment, Leah noticed a group coming up the stairs. A glint of cunning flashed in her eyes.
• She swiftly followed Charmaine and spoke urgently, "Chara, are you upset because no one celebrated your birthday tonight? I apologize for not considering your feelings. I shouldn't have been greedy and wanted to celebrate my last birthday here, making you sad. It's all my fault! I still haven't opened the gifts everyone gave me. They're all yours, Chara. I'll give them all to you."
• As she spoke, they reached the top of the stairs.
• Leah reached out, pretending to hold Charmaine back. In truth, she was using her strength, aiming to push Charmaine down the stairs instead.
• Before she could touch her, Charmaine dodged to the side at the speed of lightning. Leah lost her balance and fell straight down.
• "Urghh!"
• Leah tumbled down the stairs, colliding with the others there. They all fell flat onto the marble steps, the scene a ridiculous mess.
• The Nelsons, who had been waiting in the study for the butler to bring something up, heard the commotion and hurried out of the room.
• Seeing the scene, Milo rushed forward. Milo directed his concern towards Leah, who lay sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, unable to stand.
• "Leah, are you okay?"
• Leah shook her head slightly, biting her lip as if trying hard to hide the sound of her pained breaths.
• "I'm fine, Milo."
• Milo scolded her, but there was no anger in his voice. "You say you're fine, but your knee's swollen!"
• He looked up at Charmaine, who stood at the top of the stairs. The warmth vanished from his face, replaced with coldness. "Charmaine, this is your doing again, isn't it?"