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

Chapter 474: ...I Meant Both of You Should Get Out

At first, Stephanie was furious. It felt like a slap across the face, an insult of the highest order, if her own brother was thrown out in front of everyone.

Wouldn’t this little girl just smirk and mock her for it later? But this wasn’t the time to cling to her pride. I have to think of the bigger picture, she reminded herself, swallowing her anger.

Slowly, she turned to Nicholas.

"Brother... I think you should wait for us outside," she said in a careful, almost gentle tone.

Nicholas’s eyes flew wide in shock. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His own sister was agreeing to let him be thrown out?

If it were their grandfather, maybe it would make sense, he had never tried to control Carl before, after all. But Stephanie? He thought she would have his back no matter what.

His throat tightened as he stared at her, feeling a bitter sting of betrayal. He had stood by her side, always submitting, always pushing her forward. He opened his mouth to argue, but she shot him a look, sharp and cold as a snake, that told him to just go with it.

Though his chest burned with humiliation, Nicholas clenched his jaw and forced himself to nod. For now, he would step back. He reminded himself that Stephanie was still his ticket to the top.

With that bitter thought, Nicholas stood up to leave. He shot Nnenna one last sharp, scornful look, as if to brand his anger onto her memory, then turned and walked toward the door.

Just as he was about to cross over the threshold, the door swung open in front of him. Carl’s calm, steady voice rang out again.

"Why are you still here?"

Nicholas stiffened. He turned around, heart thumping hard, his face flushing red with humiliation. Was Carl really going to drag this out even more?

"I’m sorry, Carl," he forced out, trying to sound respectful though his voice shook with frustration. "I was just—"

But then he noticed something strange. Carl’s gaze wasn’t even on him. No, those steady eyes were fixed on his sister.

entire room froze. Except for elder Knox,

leave?" Stephanie’s voice came out small,

hardly daring to believe it. Carl hadn’t been talking to him. A surge of hope and petty satisfaction rushed

simply, his tone polite but final. "You offended my sister.

drain of color as she rose to her feet.

and reclaimed his seat, feeling superior

him. You should leave." Nicholas repeated not hiding

daggers at Nicholas. So now, because Carl seemed to favor him for five seconds, he

Carl. She was part of his circle! She had earned her place beside him through years of work and

recognized "sister," a girl he hadn’t even known for a year, while treating her, Stephanie Knox, like some

I won’t have it. I refuse to be

elder Knox’s

said. His tone was dangerously calm.

back at her parents. She could twist words to sway almost anyone. But

of experience had forged him into a man whose quiet authority could silence a room, and crush any defiance with

she whispered,

stood up, back straight, head held high to hide the sting of humiliation. Without another word, she walked to the door, feeling the

was the first time in ages that he had outshone his sister, and it felt incredible. He turned to Carl with a broad, eager

promise I won’t make such a mistake again. Since you’ve obviously accepted Little

spoke with so much enthusiasm, you would think he had been waiting his whole life to

had looked at her like she was an insect. And now...he was

didn’t bother

fingertips to his temple, feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion. His next words

of you