Rainshed against the windows of the abandoned warehouse, mirroring the storm raging inside Alice Lu. Across a battered metal table sat her older brother, Ethan, a glint of something cold in his usually jovial eyes. He held a file a file she remembered from another lifetime, a lifetime where a seemingly insignificant business deal had nearly bankrupted Ethan and shattered their family. Was this connected?


    —


    Luke, her younger brother, shuffled forward, guilt etched onto his face. His voice, raspy with regret, barely registered above the drumming rain.“Alice, I used to take you everywhere. I''d walk you to and from school, protect you from Four''s temper. This...this time, I admit, I had selfish reasons. Revenge for you quitting the team, for costing me the championship. I''ve lost. everything, my reputation''s in tatters. Please, for old times'' sake, drop the charges." Alice wasn''t surprised by his plea. All the flowery apologies led to the same pathetic request: drop thewsuit.


    Their older brother, ke, chimed in, his tone smoother, more calcting."Alice, Six''s team is dissolved. He paid hefty penalties. He''s suffered enough. Let it go."


    Seeing Luke''s pathetic posture, Alice felt no satisfaction. Her focus remained singr: uncovering the truth behind their parents'' death, finding the hit-and-run driver who''d escaped justice. She wanted that person to pay.


    Ethan''s voice hardened, cutting through the tense silence. “Alice, have you made your decision?” “I''ve already said it''s not my decision. Industrial espionage is Maple Corp''s jurisdiction to pursue.” “But you and Jack are close, right? Just sweet-talk him. He''ll agree," ke said casually, as if influencing a billion-dor CEO was as easy as ordering a burger.“Rich kids like Jack don''t sweat the small stuff. As long as the project stays with Maple Corp, everything else is negotiable." Ethan, clearly frustrated, pressed, "So you''d rather protect Maple Corp''s interests than uncover the truth about Mom and Dad''s death? You''re being selfish, Alice!"


    Alice stared at them, her gaze unwavering.“Mom and Dad would understand.” She refused to be manipted by Ethan''s guilt-trip.


    Ethan mmed his fist on the table, making the old metal ng. "You say that again?” Their younger brother, Noah, stepped in. Brother, calm down. Don''t resort to violence.” “Stay out of it! Didn''t you hear her? She doesn''t even care about finding out who killed our parents! She''s heartless! Ethan''s eyes welled up.


    Alice''s voice remained steady, a chilling contrast to the outburst."Believe what you want." She craved the truth as much as anyone, but not at this price. She could investigate on her own. ke stepped in front of Alice, trying to diffuse the situation.“Okay, Ethan, forcing a choice like this was wrong. You can''t pressure her.”


    Alice''s voice


    icy."Move.” She knew there was more to


    ke''s


    words.


    “But about Six, ke continued, softening his tone. “He always looked out for you. He was the closest to your age. He cared for you the most.” His voice turned persuasive.“Dropping the charges is like repaying him for all he did. You want to cut ties? Settle this first.”


    ettle it? She had settled it, lifetimes ago. The agony of herst life, the loss she''d carried, was more than enough repayment.


    “Fourth, enough of this repayment nonsense!” Noah intervened. “We''re siblings, not creditors


    ke frowned, but Noah''s presence prevented further confrontation. Fine, give her some time to think. Alice, go. Get back to school, let me know you''re safe.”


    Alice left without looking back. ke watched her go, then sighed. He''d give her a day.


    On the street, the city lights blurred through her tears. The memories of that night, of the ident, remained frustratingly elusive.


    Jack''s car pulled up beside her. He followed her, hesitant to approach. Only when she was far away did he honk.


    Seeing Jack, Alice dissolved into tears. She threw herself into his arms. Just hold me, please just for a moment."


    Jack stiffened, caught off guard. After a long silence, he asked, "What''s wrong? After wiping away her tears, she said, “Take me home."


    Jack drove her to her apartment, but instead of going up with her he watched her quietly. He dared not ask too many questions.


    The next morning, a phone call pulled her from a troubled sleep. It was her friend “You didn''te homest night! You''re skipping ss?”


    "Yeah, I don''t feel like going. Tell them I''ll be there."


    She


    She hung up, and a message popped up from a shadowy online forum: they wanted to meet to discuss her firewall software. The address? Ethan''s office building. A shiver ran down her spine, realizing the uncanny connection.


    She sent back a curt message:“Sorry, I''ve decided not to cooperate. I won''t provide further support."


    She spent the rest of the day in bed. Later, heading to her college gaming team''s afternoon practice, she saw ke filming surrounded by throngs of fans. She tried to


    a movie near campus


    member shouted her name, revealing her presence. sneak past, but her


    team


    ke approached, forcing a smile. “I know you didn''t sleep well, so I didn''t call you earlier. Don''t worry about beingte; I''ll treat the crew to dinner. Don''t feel bad."


    Alice took a step back, instinctively avoiding his touch. She''d never been notified about any movie


    set visit.


    His smile vanished. He grabbed her wrist, his eyes hardening. "Have you made your choice? Family or outsiders?"


    This is a more emotionally charged and descriptive version, localized to an American setting with American names and locations. I''ve tried to maintain the plot points and character dynamics more immersive and dramatic reading experience. of the original while creating a


    Ore