CHAPTER 67: USING THE SAME CARD!

Melissa’s POV

That day, when I went home, I accused Seraphina of theft. However, what I didn’t know was that Brother Asher would not blame her or scold her; rather, he was keen on investigating the matter.

I didn’t know what had gotten into him, but unlike before, he didn’t scold her, demand answers, or come to a conclusion, but acted all righteous.

I barely managed to shift the blame onto the maids and walk away unscathed.

But I could see the way the atmosphere had changed. The way Brother Asher looked at me had also changed.

He wouldn’t even glance my way.

He didn’t scold me, didn’t argue, didn’t even say a single word. His silence felt like worse than any punishment.

When I tried to talk to him later, pretending like everything was normal, he just walked past me as if I didn’t even exist.

It pained me, and I could do nothing. But what hurt me the most... was the room.

The one I’d always wanted and dreamed of decorating my way was now gone.

The place where I should have kept my things and made my haven was snatched by her!

She had taken it all just like that.

That was what I was afraid of all along. That someday, she’d start taking things from me one by one until I was left with nothing.

Now, that fear was no longer just in my head. It was real and really happening.

And I couldn’t do anything about it.

What now?

If Brother Asher, of all people, wasn’t going to stand by me, then who would? He had always been my strongest supporter and protector.

He fought for me, spoiled me, lifted me higher than anyone else ever could. But now, he acted like I was just a random girl living in the house, and his attention was elsewhere.

Even if he suddenly wanted to take care of his so-called long-lost sister, why abandon me? What have I done to deserve that after all?

What was so special about Seraphina?

As if everything else wasn’t enough, now he’d started tearing down the staff one by one, too.

The maids who’d been in the family for years were loyal to me and would do anything for me were kicked out.

Even my nanny, who raised me like her own child, was gone, just like any other normal staff.

He didn’t even give us a warning. They just vanished in thin air without any goodbyes.

I was stunned and utterly speechless.

He didn’t just do that to my people. He even dismissed his nanny, the one who served him like a second mother and was very close to our own mother!

What the hell had gotten into him?

I couldn’t take it anymore.

He had been ignoring me, avoiding my eyes, and acting cold ever since that incident with Seraphina...

But now... He was dismantling everything I had left.

I had to do something before it was too late. I had to talk to him before he erased my good memories in this house that I had built painfully!

In the end, I marched to his study and knocked.

"Brother," I said in a soft but firm tone. "Can I come in?"

At first, there was no voice until he replied. "Hm."

He had really become so cold!

Unlike before, when he would rush to open the door himself, ruffle my hair, and ask me what was wrong even before I could speak.

Now, even if I called him, he wouldn’t even reply right away, let alone come to open the door for me.

I sighed and walked in. He didn’t even look up.

"Brother," I began, putting every bit of pain into my voice. "Why has my nanny been dismissed? And yours, too?" I demanded.

He didn’t and kept doing what he was doing, and just turned a page of the file in his hand.

"This is too much. You’re changing everything all of a sudden," I added, trying not to let my voice shake. "Do you even realize how it feels? That people who’ve taken care of us our entire lives are being thrown out just like that?"

He still remained silent as if I were talking to the wall. I was so angry that I was losing control.

But I wasn’t going to show my anger... That wouldn’t work with him and I know that!

So I took a deep breath, softened my expression, and dropped my tone just enough to sound wounded.

"I don’t understand anymore, Brother... You’re changing... and it’s scaring me." I would play the obedient little, sweet sister, if that’s what you want!

He needed to remember how much I meant to him... before she took that away too.

Asher’s POV

I didn’t look up right away. If I did, I might lose the grip I barely had on myself and would lash out on her!

She was playing the same innocent card again that she’d always used.

Using a soft voice and teary eyes! And the way her body trembled just a little was meant to make me feel guilty.

But who would tell that it wasn’t working? Because I knew her better now!

I finally placed the file down and leaned back in my chair. My eyes met hers.

"You want to know why your nanny was dismissed?" I asked flatly.

She nodded, eyes wide with fake innocence. Although she knew but she acted to hear me!

"She’s been with us since I was little. She loves me like her own child and she particularly raised me—"

"She was the one who replaced Seraphina’s meds and added sedatives in her food," I interjected.

Her face turned pale instantly.

"She was the one who helped Lancaster’s staff lock that girl in the basement whenever you didn’t want her around."

"I—I didn’t know that—" she stuttered.

"Really? You didn’t?" I scoffed, trying my best to control my anger. "Well... How could you? You are such an innocent person; knowing such heinous things is not your personality." I said sarcastically.

She swallowed hard, opening her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"I’m cleaning house," I announced firmly. "From top to bottom. And I’m not going to stop just because your feelings are hurt."

I could see her clench her fist as her jaw tightened. Her eyes were wet now, but I couldn’t care less.

I was just being patient because of my Dear Mother!

"But brother... Do you think I was the one who told them to bully Sera?" she whispered. "I didn’t know! I... I just came here because I wanted to protect what was mine."

"Then you should have known! You should have tried to look into what was going on!" I responded.

I stood from the chair and stepped around the desk, towering over her.

"Next time you knock on my door," I said, my voice cold, "make sure it’s not to ask for those losers! Because they are done for."

"Brother!" She muttered. "I... I’m sorry that Sera had to... to suffer so much! I... I will take care of her more from now on!"

"You can leave now!"