Mission: Revenge – The Heiress's Second Life novel Chapter 37

Ethan shrank his neck slightly, feeling like a scruffy stray kitten being petted.

Surprisingly, having his hair ruffled felt pretty good.

"I owe you an apology too. I promise I won't deliberately break your things anymore," Clara said softly, taking his hand and leading him toward the door. "Come on. Let's get down to business."

Her palms were lined with thin, rough calluses, making Ethan pause in surprise.

His sister must have been forced to do hard labor in the countryside every single day. That explained the calluses, and her terrifying physical strength...

Serena had been lurking outside the bedroom door the entire time. The moment it opened, the sight of the siblings holding hands pierced her like a physical blow.

She nearly exploded with jealousy.

But neither Clara nor Ethan paid her any attention as they walked straight back to his room.

Clara pulled out a literature textbook. "Three poems. You have one hour to memorize them. If you don't finish, you aren't sleeping."

Ethan was speechless.

They had just shared such a tender moment, and she had even apologized! He honestly thought he was off the hook for the poems.

He was still too naive. He had fallen right into his sister's emotional trap...

"Oh, and one more thing—" Clara added smoothly. "Your final exams are in three months. You have to break into the top ten in your class, or there will be severe consequences."

Ethan stared at her in horror.

He had just started to like his sister, but the moment she demanded he hit the top ten, all his affection evaporated.

"Fine, I'll cut you some slack. Top twenty is acceptable." Clara didn't want to break his spirit completely. She patted his head affectionately. "If you do a good job tonight, I'll cook you noodles for breakfast tomorrow. Good luck."

Ethan hunched his shoulders.

His sister was amazing. He hadn't even complained, and she had already lowered her demands, patted his head, and promised him breakfast.

She flashed him a sickeningly sweet smile. "Dad, Aunt Beatrice praised my playing today! Can I play a piece for you so you can give me some feedback?"

Vera chimed in smoothly, "Since she's so eager to perform for you, you should sit down and listen."

Jonathan glanced up at the tightly closed doors on the third floor, ultimately sighing and sitting down to listen to the piano.

Before the piece even finished, the door on the third floor clicked open, and Clara stepped out holding her completed exams.

As she walked back toward her bedroom, she glanced over the railing.

Jonathan and Vera were lounging on the sofa while Serena played the piano, looking for all the world like a picture-perfect, harmonious family of three.

It made Clara and her four brothers look like unwanted outsiders in their own home.

But Lambert Group had been built by her mother and Jonathan together. Her mother had personally designed this very mansion. This was her home, and her brothers' home. They were definitely not the outsiders!