CHAPTER 23: OVER PROTECTIVE BROTHERS.

Mr. Ashford sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yes. The news spread like wildfire. It’s already been plastered across the media."

Victoria raised an eyebrow, stunned for a moment, before letting out a sharp scoff.

’Lowborn Omega?’ she thought with disbelief. ’Fine people already know about the Ashford second daughter but how did they know she hadn’t awakened her wolf yet?’

With a slow, deliberate smirk tugging at her lips, Victoria finally spoke.

"So, let me get this straight. Just because I haven’t awakened my wolf, and I didn’t grow up in the mansion, I’m automatically branded a ’lowborn Omega’? That’s the logic the city is going with now?"

Mirabel sneered, her voice dripping with contempt as she cut in.

"Please. Your behavior at the academy already made it obvious. You practically screamed ’lowborn’ with every word and every move you made."

Her eyes flashed with hostility as she threw Victoria a hateful glare. "You’ve only been in this mansion for a few days, and people are already whispering about our family. Just what kind of chaos are you planning to cause next?"

Victoria’s smirk didn’t falter. Her voice turned cold.

"My behavior made it obvious? Or did someone broadcast everything about me to the academy? Someone who was so desperate to ruin my reputation that they even leaked it to the media?" Her eyes locked onto Mirabel’s, voice unwavering. "Not only will our family be dragged into the mud, but this person is also provoking the heirs....especially Alpha Darius. And we know how dangerous that could be."

"You see?" Mirabel shot back, rolling her eyes in exaggerated disdain. "Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve already made an army of enemies. You lack class, you lack manners, and it shows."

Theo, who had been silent until now, sat upright, his voice firm and serious as he cut through the tension. "You told everyone about Victoria!" he declared, his tone commanding attention and prompting all eyes to turn toward him.

"Fine. Everyone in the academy and the city might know by now that the Ashford family has another daughter. But do you know what they don’t know?" He paused, eyes narrowing. "They don’t know she’s an Omega. They don’t know she hasn’t awakened her wolf yet. Only we know that....because of the medical test carried out by the family doctor. We didn’t even ask Victoria directly. So I’ll ask you this, who else in this house would want to expose her so badly? Who else has hated her from the moment she stepped through those doors?"

Victoria’s smirk widened slightly, though her thoughts darkened.

So this is how it is. Since the rest of the family is showering me with love except for Mirabel....I suppose I’ll keep playing along. I should let them think I’m lowering my guard. Let them believe I’m beginning to trust them. But I know the truth and that is they’re only waiting for the right moment to turn on me, to remind me of my place. But I’m ready. I have nothing to lose. If this is how the game is played, then I’ll make sure to turn their love into hatred. They’ll all pay for what they did in my last life no matter what it takes. I don’t care what game the Moon Goddess is playing...

This time, I write my fate.

"What?!" Mirabel barked, standing up so quickly her chair scraped loudly against the polished floor. Her face was flushed with rage, her voice laced with venom. "You’re accusing me of leaking the news, Theo?! Are you out of your mind?"

"Oh come on, Mirabel," Lucian finally said, speaking up for the first time. His voice was calm, but there was a mocking undertone in it that made Mirabel bristle. "You’re our sister....we know how you operate. You can be vicious when you hate someone. So drop the act."

Mirabel spun toward him, her eyes wide with betrayal.

"Even you, Lucian?! Have you all gone crazy?! So now everything that happens to Victoria is automatically my fault?"

She turned toward the others, voice rising with frustration.

"Did I ask her to kiss Alpha Darius in public?! Do you have any idea what kind of enemies she’s made just from that one act alone? The guy’s the hottest, most untouchable Alpha at the academy. His crushes, his online fans...none of them are going to take it lightly. And when Eldest Brother Damien told her to apologize to the heirs, she refused! She’s the one who made things worse!"

"Don’t change the facts, Mirabel," Callum interjected coolly, folding his arms over his chest with a scoff. "We’re not talking about the kiss. We’re talking about how a daughter of the Ashford family.....you....deliberately leaked private information about her own sister just to smear her. That’s not petty. That’s calculated."

"You must be deaf!" Mirabel shouted, pointing toward her ears, her voice rising to a shrill pitch. "Anyone from Darius’s fan club or his jealous crushes could’ve found out about Victoria and decided to dig deeper! And now you’re trying to frame me for something I didn’t do?! "

"Oh, you can pretend all you want, Mirabel," Callum said coldly, his gaze hardening as he stood from his seat. "But if you try to hurt Victoria again, I’ll show you what it truly means for your brothers to turn their backs on you. Victoria is a part of this family now, and we owe her the love, care, and affection she never received growing up."

He paused, his tone deepening with seriousness. "The least you could do as her sister is to care for her. But your heart is far too black for that, isn’t it?"

His words struck deeply and Mirabel’s face was painted in fury and disbelief. Hot tears welled in her eyes and streamed silently down her cheeks.

"I will never accept her as my sister," she hissed, trembling with rage. "And I’ll make sure to break the spell she’s cast on all of you!"

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Just ignore her, sister," Theo said softly, walking over to Victoria. He reached out and gently patted her head, though she flinched slightly at the touch. "Mirabel has always been spoiled....thanks to Mother."

Victoria looked up at him with a soft, understanding smile. "I’m not angry, Brother. I’m sure we’ll become close someday."

"Close?" Mrs. Ashford scoffed from her seat, shaking her head. "She’s always been spoiled, yes....but not by me. It’s you boys who enabled her, giving her everything she wanted. When has she ever listened to me? You, her brothers, are her entire world."

"I don’t understand why you’re all being so harsh with her now," she added, confusion furrowing her brow.

"We’re doing it for a reason, Mother," Callum replied bluntly, his mouth full of roasted chicken as he had continued eating casually. "To break her pride a little. She can’t keep acting so arrogant and unruly. She should learn something from Victoria. Humility, for starters."

He pointed his fork at Victoria without looking. "She’s humble, respectful. Mirabel needs to see that. And besides, I want them to grow closer. They’re the only girls in this family, aside from you, Mother. If they build a bond, they could work together and accomplish anything."

Victoria remained quiet, taking in everything with a thoughtful expression. Oh, I see, she mused inwardly.

"Enough of the bickering, all of you," Mr. Ashford cut in, his deep voice commanding attention. His expression was stern, but when his gaze landed on Victoria, it softened considerably.

"As I’ve said before, I’ve arranged for three tutors to train you personally," he announced. "You’ll be well taken care of. One will teach you swordsmanship. Another will instruct you in alchemy....mixing chemicals and compounds to produce various results. And the third will guide you in calligraphy, painting, and the fine arts."

Lucian frowned and leaned forward. "But why can’t we teach her those things? Why hire tutors and waste money when we can.. ..."

"Silence," Mr. Ashford snapped, cutting Lucian off. "I don’t trust any of your so-called ’teachings.’ What do you know? All of you still have much to learn yourselves. I’d rather have my daughter trained by professionals."

He leaned back with a scoff. "If you’re not too busy lounging around the academy, maybe you can join the lessons and learn something, too. Damien is the only one I truly trust to handle Victoria’s training. But he’s always busy at the academy. I won’t burden him."

"Don’t worry, Father," Victoria said, rising to her feet. Her voice was calm, but laced with determination. "I will learn everything from my tutors. I’ll also learn from my brothers whenever I can, because I see them as my teachers too."

Her eyes burned with resolve. "I’ll make you proud. I’ll change the perception of being a ’lowly omega’ and rise to become the most respected one in this city. I’ll bring honor to our family name and erase any shame associated with me. I promise....I won’t let you down."

Mr. Ashford gave a nod of approval, his expression unreadable but his eyes briefly gleaming with something that could almost be pride.