Chloe quickly put away her phone. ''It was just a random disturbing video that popped up in my feed, not a personal message." She couldn''t let the Winds find out about this. Her orphan status had been the reason she was taken in by the Winds. Besides, there had to be more to her father being alive. A bad feeling settled in her stomach.


    She quickly changed the subject."How''d you get back? How''s Luke doing?"


    "He''s better,” Luke replied, withdrawing his hand. “You mentioned on your livestream that he was sick. What did Alice say?"


    Chloe sighed."She seemed even angrier. She said I shouldn''t have said that in front of so many people." It had been deliberate. A public disy of moral condemnation to make sure Alice never wanted to return.


    But


    "Don''t me yourself. Alice has changed," Luke said, ncing around the bedroom, before. hesitating."Chloe, your room was a bit small. I was thinking of renovating the guest room for


    you.


    this bedroom...


    bedroom... should


    go back to Alice. What do you think?”


    Chloe''s face froze. She hadn''t expected this conversation. She''d moved into Alice''s room, treating it as her own. Moving out had never crossed her mind! And with Alice saying she was cutting ties, Chloe would be the only daughter, deserving the biggest room. But Luke was suggesting "she move?


    Luke said awkwardly, “Chloe, don''t overthink this. It''s nothing personal. Alice''s been upset, so we need to give her room back."


    Alice''s deration of severing ties felt like


    treatment of Alice and Chloe, realizing a p in the face. He''d reflected on his unequal


    change.


    the need for fairness. Alice cared, and he needed to


    "Brother Six, what are you saying? Why would I overthink it? This room is Alice''s, giving it back. is only right." Chloe stered on a sweet, understanding smile. Inside, though, she seethed with hatred for Alice.


    Luke rxed.“I knew you were the most understanding. Alice has a terrible temper; we just have to go with the flow. Don''t worry; I won''t treat you unfairly."


    "I know."


    “Oh, right. Those jewels and essories you were keeping from the party, when Alice apologized, please pack them up. Give them back when she returns.”


    Chloe''s smile almost faltered. Moving was one thing, but returning the jewels felt like a physical pain.


    Chloe''s eyes welled up."Brother Six, I know they were just for safekeeping, but I wore them to several events. If I don''t wear anything next time, the media might write nonsense."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll get you some new jewelry."


    “Okay, thank you, Brother Six. Though resentful, she maintained herposure. Luke sighed. "If only Alice were as understanding as you.” Things would be so much easier. A hint of mockery flickered in Chloe''s eyes. Her obedience was a performance to win over her brothers. She''d endured so much.


    After Luke left, Chloe''s cheerful facade crumbled. She thought she was almost on par with Alice. Chupe thr


    Reality had pped her hard.


    Her phone buzzed with a second message:“Axiang, no matter how hard you try, you''re not a Wind daughter. We''re family!"


    Hatred burned in Chloe''s eyes. Years of careful nning, treating the Wind brothers as her own, and this was the result? She would always be second to Alice!


    Chloe finally opened the first message. It was time to n her escape. Once Alice returned, she''d have no ce left.


    Alice enjoyed the next few days, gaming and streaming. Then, a call from the education board: "This is Alice, right? We''re from the education board. There have been multiple reports of cheating regarding your exam results. We need to investigate and request your cooperation at school."


    Cheating allegations?


    Alice hung up, feeling a mix of amusement and anger. She didn''t need to guess who reported her. The only person who''d be jealous enough was that white lotus.


    She wasn''t panicked; her grades were clean. Before leaving, she saw the empty apartment; Jack and Gator were at work. The mini-game they''d developed was about tounch. She decided not to tell Jack, taking a cab to school; she could handle this herself.


    At school, she found the principal and her homeroom teacher waiting. In the office, a middle-aged man spoke, “You''re Alice, right? I''m investigating the exam scores, and I have some questions.”


    "Ask away,” she said calmly.


    Her teacher jumped in, “Alice''s scores improved dramatically, but she was always a good student. A sudden breakthrough isn''t impossible. She''s capable, and we''re not afraid of a review.” “The test papers are still under review. We will investigate fairly and impartially. After the questioning, Alice asked, “Who reported me?”


    We can''t reveal that. That''s all for today. We''ll discuss this furtherter." The teacher was anxious. "Alice didn''t cheat! Have her take another exam, and you''ll see how capable she is!"


    Alice was touched by her teacher''s belief in her.


    The principal said calmly, “Alice, don''t worry. A clean conscience fears no usations.” Alice nodded. “I know, so I''m not worried."


    "Good. That''s all. You can go now and wait for the results.”


    After Alice left, the principal called, “Mr. Jack, I need to inform you of something."


    Jack paused his meeting and stepped out. He stared at the cityscape, his voice serious. “She went to school?"


    "Yes, to cooperate with the investigation. She''s already left. The user ims I gave Alice special stationery, assisting her in cheating."


    “Ridiculous.” Jack knew the truth; Alice didn''t need to cheat. He tapped on the ss, his eyes dark. “I understand."


    2


    ¤ Chapter 10-


    A chilling smile touched Jack''s lips after hanging up.


    Gator emerged from the meeting room. "Whoa, what''s with that creepy grin? What call was that? "Someone reported Alice for cheating."


    "Seriously? Who''s that shameless?"


    Jack''s eyes hardened. "Some people think they can get away with anything. Find out who reported her and get the surveince footage from the exam hall, specifically the adopted daughter of the Winds.” He remembered Alice saying that girl often cheated. Such people think they''re clever they probably did something during the Gaokao. If they want to y dirty, he''ll y dinier


    Back in her apartment, Alice was troubled. She knew Chloe was behind it. Such a low blow After much thought, she called the anti-cheating hotline. I want to report someone for cheating." An eye for an eye. She wasn''t sure if Chloe cheated, but based on her usual habit, she might have And it would give Chloe a taste of her own medicine.


    While out shopping, she saw a familiar car parked on the street. She quickened her pace, pretending not to see it.


    “Alice, wait! Let me exin!" Luke rushed after her. "Big Brother''s back. Go apologize, or you''re dead!"