My Repentant Brothers by Grace Edith

Chapter 2

"What kind of attitude is this?" Layla's eyes a widened slightly. "Are you sure you want to speak to me like this?

Layla pondered. "Despite Madeline's habit of bullying Winslet within the household, she always displays immense deference and obedience to her family members. How dare she use such a tone with me now? Is she intentionally attempting to stoke further animosity?" The five Larson brothers collectively frowned at Madeline with expressions of distaste, treating her as a burden.

In their eyes. Madeline was a country bumpkin compared to Winslet, and her behavior was perceived as malicious.

In contrast to Winslet, Madeline seemed utterly inadequate.

Layla's words were laced with a bitter and condescending tone. "Had it not been for Winslet's generosity, you'd still be stuck in the countryside with your grandparents! You should be forever grateful that Winslet graciously allowed you to retum!"

Madeline's gaze bore into Layla. Although her eyes welled up with emotion, she had long abandoned any yearning for maternal affection.

Instead, she regarded Layla with a cold detachment, treating her as nothing more than a stranger.

No matter how hard Madeline tried to gain Layla's acceptance, she knew deep down that Layla would never consider her a true family member. Never

Layla was just one of the culprits who had ultimately driven her into the depths of despair.

Madeline's gaze rendered Layla momentarily puzzled. "Feeling indignant still, are we?" said the latter, her voice dripping with displeasure.

Madeline sneered. After all, she had spent several days in the hospital, and she doubted her family had come here for the sole purpose of visiting ber.

"You're not here just to see me, are you?" she asked.

Layla's gaze flickered with a certain intensity. "You're not wrong. The national university entrance exam results are out. You managed to pass, but unfortunately, Winslet didn't. And it's all because you covertly mistreated her, leading to her poor performance" A wry smile tugged at Madeline's lips as she realized their intention to pin the blame on her

After eight months of diligent effort, Madeline had managed to become the City's mumber one in the national university entrance exam.

In contrast, Winslet hadn't shown the same dedication. Despite this, with just a few words, they intended to cast her as the culprit.

The situation was as if she were being tried as a criminal, with the odds stacked against her.

Winslet's eyes were fixed on Madeline, as she waited expectantly for Layla's next words.

After all,

aced the exam and could do it

that. "Sure enough, it's happening again," she

herself, this nightmarish scene still

glance at the five brothers, she saw their agreement to this ludicrous and unjust proposal. Even in the face of such

hands clenched tightly

even fair?" she

eyes gleamed with satisfaction when she noticed

To u

means to an end, a stepping stone she could

thousand dollars if you give up your place for Winnie. This amount can cover your re-study expenses for a year. You have

tone carried carnest

family

"Madeline, you should be grateful" Henry's tone was the countryside by your adoptive family, Growing up in the countryside with your adoptive grandparents, you would have never received such good education and managed to secure City's number one on the exam if it weren't for Winslet's generosity in allowing you to

he fixed it on her. "Your recent injury has incurred

spare Madeline a glance. Instead, he patted Winslet's shoulder and reassured her, "Don't

agrees."

"Madeline, either

up your sport!"

the weight of the ultimatum. Her teeth clenched, and she stared back at

of what she had experienced before, and Madeline found herself unsurprised

would never stand by her

over Madeline, even going to the extent of stripping the latter of all her

not to give

tone, she articulated each word, "If you're capable, take

carried a tinge of resignation. "I knew Maddie would disagree. Forget about it. It doesn't affect me much... I suppose I'm to blame

voice quivered as she continued, "This year has been filled with so many challenges.

that had occurred in the Larson family this year was her return

Winslet seemed determined to shift blame

cause her to fail the exam! Only the Larson family would

Larson family, "Perhaps I'm the adopted one after all. I don't understand why you all

saying this since the day you entered the Larson family." Layla grew heated upon hearing this. "You and Winnie are both my daughters. You both hold equal importance to me. I treat both of you equally! Don't keep harping on about the

found it incredulous that Layla had the audacity to claim she treated them equally in broad daylight when that was

visage as she continued, "Maddie, our parents and I have shared 18 years of life together. You've only returned