Alice almostughed at ke''s words. The Lu brothers'' apologies were all the same.


    "How do I exin this to Mom and Dad at the graveside? That''s none of your concern,” she replied coldly. She wondered if her parents had been furious when Chloe reced her as the Lu heiress in her past life. Perhaps their blessings had given her a second chance. "Alice, I exined the misunderstanding. I punished Chloe. You saw her injuries. What more do you want? ke said, remembering Chloe''s long sleeves and pants; she was hiding her wounds.


    Alice''s tone was sarcastic. “Is that enough topensate for my years of suffering? That''s too easy for Chloe."


    "How do you want revenge I''ll do it," ke said.


    "That depends on your sincerity,” Alice replied, hanging up. She wanted to see how far ke would go. After her previous hacking attempt, she couldn''t ess Chloe''s phone easily. Chloe would use a different phone. She needed to find another way. She should have saved Chloe''s conversation with her father. But the virtual number made it easy for Chloe to deny everything. She needed to push Chloe to the brink.


    Chloe most feared losing her privileged life in the Windham family.


    none


    ke looked at his reflection, regretting letting Chloe manipte him into attacking Alice. If he hadn''t,


    of this would


    wouldn''t have happened. He


    be disfigured.


    He called Chloe.“Second Brother needs you to deliver congee.” A glint of malice flickered in his eyes; he would give Alice an expression. It was all Chloe''s fault.


    Chloe burst into tears when she received the call. Gavinforted her. “Why are you crying?” Four called. He wants me to take congee to Second Brother. It''s a trap; he wants to beat me again."


    "Chloe, tell Alice the truth. Expose


    Four; he won''t


    bother you again.” “No! I grew up in the Windham family; I can''t betray them. Come with me to the hospital?" With Gavin, ke wouldn''t dare hit her.


    Gavin hesitated. “My mother has guards watching me. I can only meet you at school; I need to report my whereabouts to her."


    Chloe stopped crying, annoyed at this mama''s boy.


    "Chloe, if you''re in danger, call me."


    Chloe brightened. "Will you save me?"


    I''ll call the police."


    Chloe gritted her teeth; she didn''t need his help.


    She contacted her father; the number was disconnected. He always used disposable numbers. She called Ethan for help; he was her only hope.


    Chloe went to Noah''s room, subtly revealing her injuries. Noah frowned. More injuries?”


    e shrank back."I went to apologize to Alice. I exined everything, saying it wasn''t Four''s fault. But Four wasn''t satisfied; he called me back. Second Brother, I''m scared!"


    Noah knew ke''s temper, he''d been violent towards Chloe. "I''ll talk to Four; that''s uneptable." ke burst in, his scars horrifying. Chloe jumped, ke grabbed her arm. If you hadn''t shown me that video and said Alice would expose me, I wouldn''t have attacked her. I wouldn''t be like this!


    Chloe looked to Noah for help.


    Noah asked, "Did she show you a


    "Yes. She deleted it, but I''m


    Noah looked at Chloe."Is it true?"


    Chloe stammered, “I... I didn''t..."


    video?"


    not lying. I wouldn''t attack Alice without reason."


    not


    Noah was disappointed. "Youre lying." He remembered the bar surveince video; Chloe had lied even when he''d seen the evidence. He believed ke; Chloe had deleted the video.


    ke was surprised.“Second Brother, you believe me?”


    "Yes. Chloe did this before. Lack of evidence doesn''t mean it didn''t happen. Alice''s our sister; you wouldn''t attack her without reason."


    "But Brother doesn''t believe me. Chloe is terrible! She ruined our rtionship with Alice." ke grabbed Chloe''s hair. “Since I''m disfigured, you should be too; suffer what I''m suffering.” “No! I can''t be disfigured!” Chloe screamed, begging Noah for help.


    Noah hesitated.“Disfigurement isn''t fatal.”


    Chloe


    despaired;


    she regretted her


    n. Disfigurement would ruin


    her.


    ke held a knife to Chloe''s face."A little cut here."


    "No! Four, I''ll do anything! Don''t disfigure me!"


    "Stop! Four, are you insane?!"


    Ethan arrived, pushing ke away."Are you crazy? If this gets out, you''ll suffer too! Isn''t there. enough chaos already?"


    "Brother, it''s Chloe''s fault!"


    Chloe, clinging to Ethan, sobbed. "Brother, it''s my fault. Don''t me Four." "Chloe, you don''t owe the Windhams anything. Your father died saving our parents; we owe you."


    Chloe said tearfully, "I grew up here; I consider you family. I won''t do anything.” Ethan felt relieved; Chloe was obedient and sensible. He looked at ke. “You made Chloe. apologize. Did Alice forgive you?"


    ke''s face fell."No."


    "I told


    you Alice is heartless. Get ahead of this; make sure she never recovers!" Since Alice was ruthless, he would be too.


    This chapter maintains the high tension and dramatic conflict, pushing the plot forward while keeping the Americanized setting and colloquialisms.