They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 25: Pretense 3

Did he really just give her that? they wondered collectively, their thoughts filled with disbelief. That's his beloved Rolex! The one he always flaunts! What on earth is going on?

Internally, the queen's mind was reeling. 'This... this can't be happening. Why is he suddenly being generous? He hates her, doesn't he?'

King Ikechukwu glanced at his son, then at Nnenna. Though his face remained unreadable, the slight furrow of his brow betrayed his curiosity.

'What changed?' he thought. 'Why does it feel like the tide is shifting in her favor?'

Nnenna looked down at the watch, her fingers curling around it gently. A flicker of determination lit her eyes. 'Whatever you fire at me, I'll use it to my advantage. Let's see how long you can all keep up this charade.'

The silence in the room grew thicker, broken only by the soft ticking of the elegant watch in her hand.

If Queen Chioma hadn't been carefully maintaining her façade as a loving mother, she would have outright demanded an explanation from Obinna then and there.

'What on earth is wrong with this boy?' she thought, her forced smile twitching slightly at the corners. Her mind raced with questions she couldn't ask openly in front of everyone.

Meanwhile, Nnenna, noticing the tension bubbling beneath the surface, put on her most radiant smile, masking the flicker of disbelief she still felt at Obinna's sudden generosity.

the watch as though it were the most precious thing she had ever received. "I knew

if her words had completely erased his earlier misstep. "You're welcome, you're welcome," he

His hands fidgeted at his sides, but when he found nothing else on him that he considered worthy, he settled

decided firmly that she would interrogate Obinna later. There's no way this is normal, she thought suspiciously. 'Why is my second son

hoping he would react, but King Ikechukwu remained stoic, his

Obinna," she said lightly, though her words carried an undertone of disbelief. "It seems you've truly embraced

nodded proudly. "Of course. Family

was fuming. 'Family is everything? Since when has

that hung in the air. 'This is turning out to

Chioma gestured toward Chidera, waving him over

forward and give your sister the gift you prepared for her. And don't forget to apologize for your earlier actions," she added,

then sauntered over, his usual air of arrogance clinging to him like a shadow. He held a small box in one hand while flipping through his phone in the other, showing just how little he cared about

he finally reached Nnenna's bedside, he looked down at her with an icy smirk. "Apologize?

pretense of formality. "I'm sorry you don't know

moment, her polite mask cracking slightly as her fingers tightened around the watch Obinna had given her. She

deepening as he continued, "If you knew your place, you