Stefan turned on his heel and walked away.
After a few steps, he turned back to his younger brothers and said, "What are you guys still doing here? Come on in!"
The kids looked at each other, none of them eager to be the first one to follow Stefan.
"If you keep dilly-dallying here, I'll make you run up the mountain for three hours," Stefan warned.
At that, they quickly followed, not wanting to be punished by running up the mountain.
The mountain path was full of loose pebbles. Running for three hours would surely leave their feet bleeding.
"Good morning, Stefan."
"It's not morning anymore."
"But it's still morning now."
Stefan huffed and gave his brother a side glance. The man who said so could only touch his nose, chuckle awkwardly, and keep his mouth shut.
Stefan gathered all his brothers inside, then called Campbell and Judson out and pointed them out, "Line up by age!"
They sprang into action and quickly formed a line.
After they were all lined up, Stefan went to Lucinda and gently told her, "Lucy, these are my brothers, all nine of them are here."
All nine of them thought, "He's so harsh on us but so gentle with Lucinda. Stefan is indeed two-faced."
Lucinda looked at the nine handsome faces in front of her, some of them looked a lot like Stefan. She guessed they all took after their father since they were full brothers.
"Did you all lose your tongue? Say hello to Lucinda and introduce yourselves, so she can recognize you in the future."
Stefan ordered his brothers to greet Lucinda.
"Hello, Lucinda!"
Nine voices chorused a greeting.
everyone." Then she whispered to Stefan, "I didn't prepare any gifts for them. What
"Who asked
be so
was the quickest to
a few times and knew that Stefan treated
on her own accord, they wouldn't dare to ask for
quickly
No gifts needed.
to Lucinda and said, "Lucy, you see, they said you don't need to
wondered if her husband bullied his brothers at home, because they all
the introductions, Stefan told his brothers coldly, "You should go
was rushing
want to
them, wanted to join when he heard Stefan and
the other brothers turned to look
felt confused under their gaze,
and get some fresh air
to join us, he can. Anyone else wants to come? The more
Stefan's face darkened.
quickly pulled him back and said to Lucinda with a smile, "Lucinda, Judson forgot he has some things to deal with. So he can't come
I have to deal
Judson looked puzzled.
he said he had
car keys and handed them
"Stefan, I'll get going."
"Stefan, I'm leaving too."
young
smart!"
your brothers at
like someone who would bully my brothers? They're just pretending to be bullied by me to
he
heard what Stefan said,
was good to them,
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