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,

Winnie. You aced the exam and could do it again to become City's number one. A

hitched at that. "Sure enough, it's

nightmarish scene still caused a

agreement to this ludicrous and unjust proposal. Even in the face

hands clenched tightly as her eyes

this even fair?" she

satisfaction when she noticed Madeline's pained expression. Her heart swelled

To u

a stepping stone she could use to elevate

to persuade Madeline, "Maddie, we're willing to offer you 100 thousand dollars if you give up your place for Winnie. This amount can cover your re-study expenses for a year. You have to realize that connections are crucial in society. Even if

carried

need the Larson family to

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

gaze turned cold as he fixed it on her. "Your recent injury has incurred substantial

a glance. Instead, he patted Winslet's shoulder and

agrees."

either, saying harshly. "Madeline, either you leave the

up your sport!"

breath grew heavy, her body trembling with the weight of the ultimatum. Her teeth clenched, and she stared back at them with unwavering determination,

this situation. This was a repetition of what she had experienced before,

that they would never stand

and fiercely prioritize Winslet over Madeline, even going to the extent of stripping

not to give in to their demands

she articulated each word, "If you're

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

continued, "This year has been

only significant event that had occurred in the Larson family

determined to shift blame

exam! Only the Larson family would

adopted one after all. I don't understand why you all treat me like this. It's as if you want to skin me and extract every ounce of

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 adopted daughter topic. Winnie would be hurt

audacity to claim she treated

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