dly agreed with his two brothers. “Aaron has gone too far. This is harming Jo.

Hearing the three of them, Steven was bewildered. Why were all three of the brothers blaming their brother? “Don’t you think their actions were too intimate?”

Without hesitation, Andrew replied, “Not at all. Look at Aaron. He’s just consoling Jo. When Jo feels wronged, we comfort her like this too.”

Jodie was their sister, and this kind of intimate comfort only proved their close relationship. He really saw nothing wrong with it.

Steven had been busy with the group’s affairs for the past few years, spending only about three days a week at home on average. They only had dinner together, and each of them was working during the day. So, he didn’t really know how his sons and adopted daughter interacted.

Is this level of comfort necessary for comforting a sister? Am I just getting old?

He asked sternly, “Do you also hug and kiss Jo like this?”

Reuben and Titus realized their father’s expression wasn’t quite right.

They were about to deny it, but Andrew, wearing a self–assured expression, said, “Of course, what’s wrong with it?”

Reuben and Titus exchanged a look. Andrew was straightforward.

Seeing Andrew’s attitude and hearing his words, Steven was furious. He raised his hand again and smacked the table hard. “You’re siblings, for heaven’s sake! This is outrageous; you’ve gone too far!”

Andrew argued, thinking his father was overreacting. “It’s precisely because we’re siblings that this is a sign of a good relationship between us. Dad, can you please not overthink things?”

Steven was speechless. How can I not overthink it? The crucial point is that even if I don’t, others will! If people in our circle find out, I’ll be a laughingstock!

Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Do you treat Simone, your real sister, the same way?”

Andrew shook his head. “How could we treat her like that? Our relationship with her isn’t that close. Besides, she would never initiate such intimate contact with us.”

Simone would normally be warm and considerate but never initiated intimate contact with them. She wasn’t like Jo, who relied on them.

Seeing Andrew’s unyielding response, Steven was so angry he nearly had a heart attack. “Simone’s actions are how a normal sister should act, okay?”

they weren’t listening to him, he could only turn to Salma, blaming

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56 Only One

fine children you’ve raised.”

stern face and went straight to his study. He needed to think carefully about how

displeased husband storming off, feeling very wronged. She knew her sons and adopted daughter had a good relationship, but she

she doesn’t understand these things yet. You’re

to

still unwilling to accept this. Why couldn’t they be caring and doting brothers to their little sister? Just as he was about to argue, Reuben

at Salma, he said,

getting older and couldn’t accept this kind of intimacy. It was fine. They could still be close to Jodie behind their backs, just not as

Reuben, Salma felt a vague sense of annoyance toward Jodie for the first time. She’s a

own brothers. Thinking this, Salma sighed. Apart from wanting

it blow up,” she told Reuben and Titus again. “Otherwise, if people in our circle find out, our family’s reputation won’t be

They nodded. “Yes!”

tired and got up to rest

out their phones and began making calls non–stop. One went to have the trending topic removed, and

to regret letting Aaron bring Jodie onto the variety show. Ever since they joined, it had been one mess after another, and they were the ones left to

do with Simone, and both

new videos with modified titles and trending topics emerged, quickly rising in popularity. The gossip about another celebrity that was brought out also

and Jodie, the online discussions about who the

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56 Only One

finished speaking, the assistant director, along with the cameraman knocked

responses brief, sharing their feelings. This made Jodie’s earlier statements

asking each guest about their feelings, the production team once again ended the broadcast and

broadcast end, Titus couldn’t help but call

at night. Jodie was worried and anxious, which was

being cared for in this way. How was he supposed to know the production team would

participating in the variety show and subsequently gaining popularity. Following this, he could continue to provide resources for

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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