Chapter 3

Miles tugged at Victoria's sleeve, looking pitiful:

"Don't be mad, Victoria. It's my fault for having this stupid allergy. Ethan didn't mean to do it. Please don't blame him."

Victoria's face hardened.

"We've let him get away with too much. We turned him into a spoiled, malicious brat."

Melanie's eyes flared with rage:

"His mind is twisted. If he hadn't targeted Miles on purpose, Miles wouldn't have suffered like this."

At that moment, Miles intentionally shifted, letting his sleeve slide up to reveal the fading red hives on his skin.

Serena gently brushed her fingers over the red marks, her face filled with pain.

"Does it still hurt, Miles?"

Miles lowered his head, his shoulders trembling as if he were about to cry:

"No... it doesn't hurt..."

Melanie's temper finally blew.

"If we had been a minute later, he would have died! And Ethan? It's been three days, and he hasn't even called. He is utterly heartless!"

Victoria stood up, her voice sharp and commanding:

"Drag him up here! I want him on his knees, apologizing to Miles! Let's see if his bones are as tough as his attitude!"

Melanie and Serena joined in:

"We've been too lenient. He made his bed; now he has to lie in it!"

They turned to the housekeeper and snapped:

"What are you standing there for? Go bring him up! And fetch the riding crop. If Ethan hadn't put seafood in his food, Miles wouldn't have suffered in the hospital for three days. It's time to beat some sense into him!"

The housekeeper didn't dare argue. She hurried toward the basement.

I laughed bitterly. My sisters didn't even bother to investigate before accusing me.

Three days ago, Miles said he wanted porridge. Eager to please my brother, I happily went to the kitchen to cook for him.

He gave me a small packet of seasoning, claiming it was his favorite. I tasted it—it was just basic seafood powder.

How could I have known it was his trigger?

Victoria was a brilliant businesswoman, yet she couldn't see through such a basic, childish trap. Or maybe, she just chose not to because of her favoritism.

To my sisters, I was never as important as Miles. My heart felt hollow.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was already dead. They could give all their love to Miles now.

Suddenly, the housekeeper ran back, pale and trembling.

"Miss Victoria... we called out to him, but there's no response. There's... there's no sound of breathing at all."

Victoria frowned, standing up abruptly.

"What kind of stunt is he pulling now? Is he too proud to apologize to Miles?"

"Does he even realize he almost killed his brother?"

Miles pulled on Victoria's hand, pretending to be sad:

"It's fine, Victoria. I'm just an orphan. I don't deserve an apology from Ethan anyway."

That was the final straw for Victoria.

"Does he think playing dumb will save him? He thinks silent treatment works? We've been too soft!"

"Come on, let's drag him out myself. Let's see how long he can play this game. He "will" kneel and beg for forgiveness today!"