The Remorseful Brothers

chapter 2

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.

Madeline, as she

After all,

as she spoke. “Give up your spot to Winnie. You aced the exam and could do it again to become City’s number one. A

breath hitched at that. “Sure enough, it’s happening

mentally preparing herself, this nightmarish scene still caused a painful lump

this ludicrous and unjust proposal. Even in the face of such an obvious injustice,

tightly as

even fair?”

when she noticed Madeline’s pained expression. Her heart swelled

To u

end, a stepping stone she could use to elevate herself,

dollars if you give up your place for Winnie. This amount can cover your re–study expenses

carried

“Consider this carefully. You’ll need the Larson family to

Chapter 2

countryside by your adoptive family, Growing up in the countryside with your adoptive grandparents,

Jacob’s gaze turned cold as he fixed it on her. “Your recent injury has incurred substantial expenses. Without

glance. Instead, he patted Winslet’s shoulder and reassured her,

agrees.”

harshly. “Madeline, either you leave

up your sport!”

with the weight of the ultimatum. Her teeth clenched, and she stared back at them with unwavering determination, her complexion drained

a part of this situation. This was a repetition of what she had experienced before, and Madeline found herself

understood that they would never

they would always ruthlessly and fiercely prioritize Winslet over Madeline, even going to the

disagree!” Madeline straightened her back, determined not to

a resolute tone, she articulated each word, “If

tone carried a tinge of resignation. “I knew Maddie would disagree. Forget about it. It doesn’t

continued, “This year has been filled with so

that the only significant event that had occurred in

seemed determined to

I cause her to fail the exam! Only the Larson family would buy such a ludicrous excuse,” Madeline

then said to the Larson family, “Perhaps I’m the adopted one after all. I don’t understand why you all treat me like

and Winnie are both my daughters. You both hold equal importance to me. I treat both of you

Layla had the audacity to claim she treated them equally in broad daylight when that was never

talk about Maddie that way. She believes I’ve taken your love away from her.” A 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 months. Naturally, we have a stronger emotional bond. However, there’s