Chapter 76 A Different Brother
A lot of kids could leave their parents behind at the drop of a hat, but not many parents could do that to their own children. Michael only chased Cedric away because he was furious. Now that his son was kneeling before him and crying, his anger waned. “Suit yourself,” he said curtly and went around Cedric.
Joseph kicked his brother when he went past him. “Get up.”
Connor shook his head and pulled his twin up, and he patted Cedric’s shoulder. “Think before you leap next time, or the price might be too steep to pay.”
Cedric hung his head low and nodded. Connor wrapped his arm around his twin’s shoulder and led him to the car park.
Angie chased after them, crying. “Connor, Cedric!”
Connor stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. “Angie.”
Angie came up to them tearfully. “What about me? I want to go home too.”
“Angie, if I were you, I would find a spot to stay for the time being,” Connor said. “If you actually love Dad and Mom, you should stay away from them. Go independent and start a new life.”
“H-How can you say that, Connor?” Angie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Connor, you’re my family. My place is with the Wendels. And now I lost both of them just like that. How am I supposed to start again?”
“Angie, you’re an adult. You should learn how to take care of yourself,” Connor said. “If you really love Dad and Mom, you will get a job, settle down, and take care of yourself. You can see them if you have time, but don’t trouble them with your matters. I’d do that if I were you.”
“No, no, no! Connor, you say that only because you are not me.” She shook her head in agony. “You’re my family. I did nothing wrong, but now you want to dump me like I’m some kind of trash? What do you think I am? I’m your sister! I’m Dad and Mom’s daughter! You can’t throw me away just like that. How am I supposed to accept this?”
“Angie, Dad and Mom owe you nothing, and neither do us,” Connor answered calmly. “Just like what Dad said, he and Mom have done their jobs of raising us up. Now it’s time for us to repay that debt. Is it so wrong that they want you to leave the house and start a new life?”
“It’s not the same!” Angie broke down. “You’re abandoning me and stripping my status away. And you’re going to tell everyone who my real mother is. If you do that, you’ll ruin my whole life.”
“You are the daughter of Xander and Cameron. Nobody is stripping you of your status. Dad and Mom are only exposing the truth,” Connor said. “You say being Cameron’s daughter will destroy your whole life. Well, Madeline has been her daughter for more than twenty years, but she’s living well.”
And it doesn’t get any better than that. She’s the young madam of the Harts. Not many girls her age can be her peer.
Angie had no comeback at all. She thought Michael was cruel, and Crystal was crueler still. She had a lot to complain about them, but Connor refuted all her arguments before she could bring it up. Angie had nothing to say, but she was frustrated.
But I am the young miss of the Wendels. I am Dad and Mom’s daughter. I’m your sister. How can you deny me just because of a piece of paper? How can you chase me out and ruin my life just like that? How can my parents, who loved me so much, turn their backs against me just because we’re not related by blood? Just because I’m Cameron’s daughter? She couldn’t accept it at all.
Connor sighed. “Angie, Dad and Mom have given you a lot of money and jewelry over the years. You can live a better life than most people in this city with that kind of money in your hands. Just find a place to stay and settle down. Time can heal everything. Give them some time to handle Cameron’s case. Once they forget about her, maybe they’ll accept you back.”
Give them some time to handle Cameron’s case? Angie smiled bitterly. It’ll be too late then. When the truth is out, everyone who knows me will know I’m Cameron’s daughter. How am I supposed to marry into a rich family then?
She was the only daughter of the Wendels since she was little. No matter where she went, she’d be the star of the show, but once the truth was out, she would be cast out from the circle. No rich man would ever like or marry her.
The friends who used to envy her would laugh at her misery. Some would even make her life even worse, while the one whom she had bullied for years would take her place and pay her back for what she did. That’s not my life.
I was born on a silver platter. I’m an elite. I should live my whole life in riches and wealth. I’d rather die than give up that life. “Fine. Leave. Just leave me behind.” She knew she couldn’t count on Connor or Cedric. One was cold, while the other was gripped by fear. I can’t count on anyone. I can only count on myself.
“Angie, don’t do any stupid things,” Connor advised her one last time. “Dad and Mom are only asking you to leave because they’re really angry. Just find a place to settle down. Once this is over, they’ll start to miss you. I’m sure they will take you home. Don’t do anything stupid to ruin yourself.”
“I know.” Angie wiped her tears off and smiled self-deprecatingly. “I’m not the Wendels’ young miss anymore. I have no money or power. What can I do anyway? I won’t do anything, so don’t worry.”
Connor noticed the hatred in her eyes despite the calm front she was putting on, and it displeased him. She has no right to hate anyone. None of us owe her. A famous master noticed Connor’s talent when he was eight, and he was taken in as his disciple. He spent little time at home and didn’t have the deep love toward Angie like his brothers did. He preferred kinder, more compassionate people. Angie’s cruelty displeased him. Cedric might be a fool, but at least his heart was in the right place, and he was compassionate. He thought someone like that was more reliable. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about being backstabbed someday.
