All the way in the car, Everly sat in stony silence, while Anna and Sylvia chatted away like a pair of hyperactive magpies on a sugar high.
Everly’s fingers idly playing with the zipper of Alan’s oversized jacket.
She was lost in thought, her mind wandering back to the events that had unfolded before they left for the boutique.
After breakfast, most of the family had scattered like ants after a picnic blanket was lifted, off to their respective jobs.
Alan had been reluctant to leave Everly alone, his eyes filled with concern.
Everly also had a million questions swirling around in her head; she’d wanted to bombard him with questions, especially about her mysterious fiancé.
But Alan had classes to attend that morning and wouldn’t be back until the afternoon.
Not wanting Anna, Sylas, or Sylvia to pester Everly, Alan had enlisted Daniel, to give her a grand tour of the mansion and its sprawling gardens.
Everly, who had been at a loose end, had practically jumped for joy at the prospect.
For hours on end, poor Daniel was dragged around the vast manor by an overly enthusiastic Everly.
The usually stoic butler, who prided himself on his stamina, was left feeling like a wrung-out dishcloth.
His back ached, and his legs trembled as if he had just completed a 10-hour marathon.
Was this the boundless energy of a typical teenager, or was it the result of a girl who’d devoured nearly twenty plates of food for breakfast?
Finally, when it was time to head to the boutique, Everly, still humming a happy tune, skipped into the living room.
At the same time, Daniel lay on the kitchen floor, looking like a casualty of war.
A nearby servant almost stepped on him, and there was a message scrawled in ketchup on the floor near his finger, reading, “The culprit is the new young miss.”
Meanwhile, Anna and Sylvia had been waiting in the living room, their patience wearing thin.
When Everly had finally appeared, dressed in an old t-shirt and jeans, Anna’s expression had been a mask of confusion and mild horror.
“Don’t you have any other clothes besides those, Everly?”
“Everly, if you’re short on decent clothes, I’d be happy to share some of mine.
I have plenty to spare.”
Sylvia’s voice dripped with false concern, like honey laced with arsenic.
She was careful to maintain her facade, acting as if she was walking on eggshells around Everly.
Everly’s eyes traveled up and down Sylvia’s figure, taking in the expensive designer labels and the overly frilly details.
A look of pure disgust crossed her face.
“I’m sorry, but our tastes are as different as night and day.
I’m not into those gaudy, brightly colored dresses or the ones with enough frills to make a Victorian ghost blush.”
Sylvia’s fake smile wavered for a moment, and a flicker of anger flashed in her eyes.
How dare this nobody, dressed in what was probably a thrift store find, look down on her designer wardrobe?
The clothes she was wearing cost more than Everly’s entire closet combined, yet here she was, acting like Sylvia’s fashion sense was beneath her!
She wanted to scream at Everly, to tell her exactly what she thought of her.
But she couldn’t, not with Anna watching.
Instead, Sylvia forced a sad smile and continued her act.
“Everly, do you hate me so much that you won’t even consider wearing my clothes?
Or…
is it that you think I’m beneath you because I’m not a blood relative of the Tang family?”
“Everly, you—!”
Anna, who had just apologized to Everly earlier, opened her mouth to scold her daughter but quickly closed it.
The guilt she felt for her past actions was still fresh, but the familiar twinge of resentment reared its ugly head.
In the end, she decided to comfort Sylvia.
“Sylvia, don’t take it personally.
Everly probably just has her own unique style.
To make up for it, besides the new dress for your birthday, how about mom buys you a few extra outfits as well?”
Before Sylvia could respond, Everly’s face lit up with a sweet smile that was almost saccharine.
“Oh, are you going to buy me new clothes too, Mom?”
Anna’s smile froze on her face, and she forced herself to nod.
“Of course, dear.
I should have thought of it sooner.
You can pick out whatever you like.”
Sylvia’s head immediately drooped, her expression one of a kicked puppy on the verge of tears.
“It seems like…
you really can’t stand the sight of me…
even though I’ve been meticulously curating a collection of clothes to gift you, ever since I learned you were back from the orphanage…
But I guess you’d rather have brand-new clothes than the ones I was planning to give you…”
Anna’s heartstrings were tugged by Sylvia’s words, and she turned to Everly with a pleading look.
“Everly, Sylvia has been so generous, offering you her clothes.
She has an impeccable sense of style, and some of her outfits are even custom-made by renowned designers.
Why not accept her kind gesture?”
Everly’s smile was so saccharine it could have given anyone a toothache.
“Not only is there a ten – centimeter height difference between us, but her style simply doesn’t mesh with mine…
Besides, Mom…
do you really want to give me Sylvia’s hand-me-downs?
Does that mean you’re not willing to buy your long-lost daughter new clothes, and instead, you’re just foisting the old ones on me?”
“Of course not!” Anna exclaimed, almost jumping out of her skin to deny it.
Just then, the door swung open, and Alan appeared, looking at them with a mix of exasperation and concern.
“Why are you all still here?
Don’t you have an appointment to get Everly’s birthday dress fitted?”
Although Alan had been eavesdropping on their conversation from behind the door, he decided it was wiser to play dumb.
Ever since yesterday, thanks to Everly, Alan felt like he’d been promoted to the rank of professional worrywart.
He couldn’t stop fretting about her, terrified that their family would mistreat her.
So, he’d rushed home as soon as his class ended.
“Exactly!
It’s high time we hit the road.”
Anna seized the opportunity presented by Alan’s question like a drowning woman clutching at a lifebuoy, eager to escape further conversation with Everly.
Alan’s brows knitted together in a deep frown.
The thought of letting Everly go off with their mother and Sylvia set off alarm bells in his head.
It felt like sending a lamb into a den of wolves dressed in designer clothing.
“I’m coming with you,” he declared firmly.
Sylvia came to an abrupt halt, her eyes widening in panic.
“No way, Alan!
This is a special mother – daughter date…
well, mother – daughters date.
You can’t crash it!”
Anna nodded vigorously in agreement, still smarting from Alan’s earlier behavior.
Even if she were inclined to bring one of her sons, Sylas would be her first choice.
Alan had always found excuses to avoid these outings in the past, but now, with Everly in the picture, he suddenly wanted to tag along.
It made Anna feel like she’d been stabbed in the back by her own flesh and blood.
“Sylvia’s right.
You’d be bored out of your mind following us around.
Everly, let’s get going.”
Everly put on an air of reluctant surrender, though secretly, she had been hoping Alan would come along.
Having someone to talk to during this potentially awkward outing would be a godsend.
On the other hand, she was also itching to see what other over-the-top, clichéd plots awaited her.
Ever since System 006 had spilled the beans, she was convinced her life had become a mash-up of every cheesy story ever written.
Her insatiable curiosity was winning the battle, so she decided to play along…
for now.
As Everly walked past Alan, he swiftly opened his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Here, wear this, Everly.
You’re about to enter a place where people are likely to judge you based on how you look.
My jacket might give you a bit of an edge.”
“I don’t need—”
Everly began to protest, her initial thought being that the gesture was overly dramatic.
After all, she couldn’t care less about what others thought of her.
But then her eyes landed on Alan’s jacket, and something inside her did a little flip.
The jacket was the epitome of cool, with its sleek lines and high-quality fabric.
As someone who had a penchant for all things cool and masculine in fashion, her eyes practically sparkled with delight.
In a flash, she had slipped it on, a wide grin spreading across her face.
“Well, since you insist.
Thanks a bunch, Alan.”
The car ride had been filled with Sylvia’s constant chatter and Anna’s occasional nods of approval, while Everly had been lost in her own thoughts, reliving the moment Alan had draped the jacket over her shoulders.
Now, Anna’s voice jolted her back to reality.
“We’ve arrived.”
Everly blinked, suddenly realizing that they had pulled up in front of a luxury mall.
The boutique they were headed to was located in the heart of the high-end shopping district, where every storefront seemed to scream “exclusivity” and “wealth.”
With a sigh, Everly trailed behind Anna and Sylvia, feeling very much like a lowly maid following her royal masters.
Sylvia was putting on a show, practically hanging off Anna’s arm and shooting smug glances back at Everly, clearly hoping to see a hint of envy.
But Everly was having none of it.
She was too busy taking in the opulent surroundings with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Alan’s jacket, which was way too big for her but somehow made her look even cooler, covered her cheap shirt like a protective shield.
Sylvia’s expression soured when she noticed the jacket.
Alan was a well-known model, and as such, he always had access to the latest and most expensive designer clothing.
She recognized the jacket as a limited edition, something that only a select few could get their hands on.
And it was from Alan’s collection, which meant it was worth a small fortune.
Jealousy bubbled up inside her like a pot of boiling water.
She couldn’t understand why Alan had taken such a shine to Everly since the moment they met.
He had become a fierce protector of this newfound sister, while suddenly treating Sylvia, the sister he had known for 18 years, with cold indifference.
How could Alan even consider choosing blood ties over the years of shared memories and emotional bonds they’d built?
To her, those five brothers belonged to her, and the thought of losing Alan’s affection to this new interloper was unbearable.
She clenched her fists, determination burning in her eyes.
After this, she’d pull out all the stops to win Alan back, to have him spoil and shield her just like their other four brothers.
And once she succeeded, Everly would be left alone, without a single family member to care for or defend her.
But perhaps a more direct approach was needed.
Maybe it was time to start thinking of ways to permanently remove Everly from their family.
The thought sent a shiver of excitement down her spine, and she had to suppress a wicked grin.
Finally, they reached the boutique.
Everly, who had never been through the process of getting her body measured before, felt like a fish out of water.
She squirmed and fidgeted as the tailor and his assistants circled around her,taking measurements with precision.
It was like being a lab rat in a scientific experiment, and she couldn’t wait for it to be over.
By the time the measuring ordeal was over, Everly was more exhausted than a sloth after a month-long binge-watching session.
She had tried her best to avoid being touched, but it was a losing battle.
As she put Alan’s jacket back on, she noticed Sylvia staring at her with a strange, calculating look in her eyes.
But as soon as Sylvia realized that Everly had caught her, she quickly put on an innocent expression, like a scared little hamster facing a fierce cat.
Anna suddenly turned to Everly, eager to discuss the dress design.
“Now, dear, what kind of dress design do you have in mind?
Everly, who knew as much about fashion as a goldfish knows about astrophysics, shrugged.
“I don’t really care.
Just make it a dark color, no lace, and nothing too…
weird.”
Anna nodded, taking Everly’s preferences seriously.
She was still feeling guilty about the breakfast fiasco, and she was determined to make it up to her daughter.
So, she began discussing the design with the tailor, poring over the sketches with a furrowed brow.
Sylvia watched them for a moment, a devious plan forming in her mind.
She cleared her throat, getting Anna’s attention.
“Mom, didn’t you say you wanted to buy Everly some new clothes?
Since you’re so busy with this one, why don’t I take Everly to our favorite store?
I can pick out something really nice for her.”
Anna couldn’t help but marvel at how much Sylvia had grown.
Just a few weeks ago, Sylvia had been a nervous wreck, constantly on the verge of tears and feeling guilty about Everly’s presence in their lives.
Even yesterday, she’d nearly thrown herself off the second floor!
But now, here she was, confidently suggesting she take Everly shopping alone, like a proper sister.
A wave of pride washed over Anna as she looked at the daughter she’d raised for 18 years, the daughter she’d always thought was her own flesh and blood.
And to top it off, Everly’s strange mind-reading power seemed to have vanished since morning.
It was like a weight had been lifted off Anna’s shoulders.
She was starting to see Everly in a more positive light, and she was determined to make up for all the lost years.
With a smile, she reached into her purse and pulled out her black card, placing it firmly in Sylvia’s hand.
“Help Everly pick out some nice clothes, dear.
And don’t forget to treat yourself too.
I’ll catch up with you two later, and then we’ll go shopping for jewelry for your birthday party.”
Sylvia’s eyes lit up at the sight of the black card, and she nodded eagerly.
“Of course, Mom.
I’ll take good care of Everly.” She turned to Everly, her smile as sweet as honey.
“Let’s go, Everly.
I know just the store.”
Everly followed Sylvia out of the boutique, her senses on high alert.
She could practically smell the scheming coming off Sylvia in waves.
Based on all the cheesy movies and novels she’d read, she had a pretty good idea of what was coming next.
It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, and she was the ‘helpless’ passenger with a front-row seat.
As they walked through the mall, Sylvia strutted like a peacock, her head held high and her steps confident.
Without even looking at Everly, she began to speak in a saccharine voice that was clearly meant to be patronizing.
“Hey, Everly.
Have you really thought this through?
Staying with our family, I mean.
You know no one here wants you.
Do you actually believe Mom likes you now?
I bet if I just start crying and tell her you bullied me, she’ll believe me in a heartbeat and punish you.”
“Oh, is that so?
Instead of just pretending, why don’t I give you a real taste of bullying?
At least then there’d be some actual proof, don’t you think?” Everly’s voice dripped with sarcasm, and she couldn’t resist the temptation to rile Sylvia up even more.
Sylvia, still strutting ahead like a runway model on a mission, didn’t even glance back.
But those words sent a shiver down her spine that was impossible to ignore.
There was something in Everly’s tone that made her believe this wasn’t just idle talk.
The thought of what kind of torment Everly might unleash made her skin crawl.
She quickened her pace, her heels clicking angrily on the marble floor.
“You’re such a fool, Everly.
A normal person would try to be nice, to win over the family’s love.
But not you.
You seem to go out of your way to make our parents and brothers hate you!”
“Please,” Everly scoffed.
“Drama is way more entertaining than fake love.
And I don’t have your talent for acting all sweet and innocent while plotting behind people’s backs.”
Sylvia’s face turned red with anger, and she had to clench her fists to keep from lashing out.
She practically stomped into the designer clothing store, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
The sales staff, recognizing the daughter of the wealthy Tang family, rushed over to greet her.
“Miss Tang, welcome!
We have the latest arrivals from the new season.”
Sylvia pointed at Everly, who had just walked in.
“Get some clothes for her.
It doesn’t have to be the new stuff.
She has…
unique taste and doesn’t like things that look too expensive.
I’ll take care of the bill.”
Everly had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
Sylvia was acting like a generous sugar mommy, but it was all Anna’s money she was throwing around.
Everly walked over to the counter and nodded.
“That’s right.
This girl has my mom’s card.
So when I’m done shopping, just ask her to pay, okay?”