Lila took a taxi back to the Landon mansion.
As she entered the hall, she heard Sylvia’s voice, sounding harmonious and happy.
However, the atmosphere became noticeably tense when she appeared.
Lila walked across the hall expressionlessly, intending to go straight to her room.
Easton called out loudly, “Lila, stop right there! You come home and don’t even greet anyone-is this your attitude now?”
“Don’t think that just because some school doctor backed you up and mentioned calling the police, you have protection! Without the Landon family, you’re nothing!”
Easton grew increasingly angry and stood up. “You think we favor Sylvia, but have you considered how terribly you’ve treated her? Her father saved your life-we’re helping you repay that debt!”
Lila felt extremely weary hearing this.
She stopped and looked over at the sofa. “Max, Easton, I’m back.”
That should suffice, right?
Max spoke up, “It’s almost dinnertime.”
“You go ahead and eat. I’m not hungry.”
After saying this, Lila turned to go upstairs.
“Max, what’s her attitude! She’s becoming increasingly rebellious!”
Sylvia intervened, “Easton, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. Maybe if I left the Landon family, Lila wouldn’t be so resentful.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. If anyone should leave, it’s Lila. Why should you go?”
These conversations followed Lila as she quickened her pace back to her room and locked the door.
She leaned against the door, taking a long moment to compose herself as her eyes burned with tears.
She looked up at the ceiling, forcing back her tears. This time, she wouldn’t cling to any false sense of sibling affection.
The next day, Lila went to school as usual.
Sylvia rode in the same car with her.
Sylvia glanced at her cautiously. “Lila, are you still angry?”
“Sylvia, don’t you get tired of acting all the time?”
Lila leaned to one side and closed her eyes to sleep, not wanting to engage with Sylvia.
Sylvia’s eyes darkened considerably, but since the driver was present, she habitually put on a pitiful expression and smiled at him.
The driver immediately felt that Miss Lila was truly too harsh, constantly bullying Sylvia. He decided to report this to Mr. Max later.
At school, Lila attentively listened and took notes, as she had forgotten much of the content.
Even though Sylvia’s followers and supporters gossiped nearby, Lila paid them no mind.
She had too many things to do and no time to waste on these people.
When she returned home that evening, Lila saw her sixth brother Finn sitting on the sofa, though his expression was sour.
Sylvia ran over coquettishly. “Finn! You’re back! I’ve missed you so much!”
Finn had been in a bad mood, but after being coaxed by Sylvia, his expression improved.
Lila glanced at their interaction and turned to go upstairs.
Finn looked up. “Lila, Easton said you’ve become increasingly disobedient. I didn’t believe it at first, but now you won’t even greet me?”
Lila sighed wearily. Here we go again.
Not wanting to waste more time, she turned and obediently called out, “Dear Finn.”
“That’s better. By the way, I’ve come back to rebuild the team. Max and Easton have agreed, and I want you to join too.”
Lila’s hand gripped her backpack tightly. Here it was-just like in her previous life, her sixth brother had said the same thing.
To please Finn and get attention from her brothers, she had agreed without hesitation, then trained desperately, even neglecting her college entrance exams.
And what had she gotten in return?
Finn had said, “Lila, you’ve already proven yourself. Now give your position to Sylvia so she can experience the joy of being a champion too.”
“Lila, I’m the team captain. I decide when to substitute players.”
In her previous life, she had been humiliatingly replaced by Sylvia.
But if it hadn’t been for her fighting so hard in the matches, they would never have made it to the finals. Yet at the crucial moment, they had substituted her out?
They handed the championship glory-already within their grasp-to Sylvia.
What did all her effort count for?
This time, she absolutely would not repeat the same mistake!
Lila’s eyes were clear as she replied, “Finn, I want to focus all my energy on preparing for my exams. I don’t want to be distracted by gaming.”
Lila directly refused her sixth brother’s proposal.
Or more accurately, his command.
Finn’s words weren’t a request for her opinion; they were a notification.
“Lila, did I hear correctly? You’re actually refusing my invitation?”
Finn’s expression turned unpleasant. When he had proposed that Lila join the team, it had never occurred to him that she would refuse.
After all, for years, Lila had complied with his every word and never defied him.
Lila responded with dignity, “If it’s an invitation, then I can decline.”
She looked directly at Finn, watching his expression sour as he lost face.
But that was no longer her concern.
Finn spoke angrily, “Lila, you’d better think carefully before answering. Don’t be stubborn, or I might not give you another chance, and you’ll be begging me, crying!”
He had heard from Easton about what had happened in the past few days-how Lila had even given the golden trophy he had given her to Sylvia as an apology.
That trophy was from the championship he had won the year he became a professional player.
It held immense significance for him.
How dare Lila give it away?
Sylvia nervously tugged at Finn’s sleeve. “Finn, don’t be angry. Joining your team is something I’ve dreamed of. I’m sure Lila will agree once she thinks it through.”
Sylvia’s words only served to fuel Finn’s anger.
He felt that Lila was being ungrateful, daring to refuse him!
Finn glared fiercely at Lila. “You only get one chance. Decide now whether you want to join our family team!”
Lila suddenly found it amusing. So Finn was quite the actor too, and Sylvia had figured out his personality perfectly.
Sylvia pretended to care, saying, “Lila, just agree quickly. Don’t make Finn angry.”
Lila looked at her and replied, “Sylvia, since you dream of joining the team, I’ll give my position to you.”
She then returned to her room.
She took out her backpack and began her homework. Much of the content had become unfamiliar to her, and she needed to catch up as quickly as possible.
Eventually, a servant knocked on her door. “Miss, it’s time for dinner.”
“Please bring it up to me.”
“But Mr. Max and the others are waiting for you in the dining room.”
This was clearly their way of preventing her from eating alone in her room.
Lila gripped her pen tightly, realizing that since she hadn’t yet escaped the Landon family’s control, she would have to comply temporarily.
She got up and went to the dining room.
Max, Easton, Finn, and Sylvia were sitting at the dining table.
Because the Landon family was large, they had a long table.
Lila sat in the farthest corner and silently began eating.
The atmosphere in the dining room was somewhat tense.
But soon Sylvia’s flirtatious laughter broke the silence, quickly easing the mood.
Finn glanced at Lila and deliberately said, “Sylvia, we’ll personally teach you how to play the game later. Someone as smart as you will surely learn quickly, certainly no worse than certain others!”
Sylvia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Finn, I’ll work hard! I absolutely won’t let you down!”
Lila remained unmoved by these words. It was fine if Sylvia joined the team.
When they failed in the wildcard round, Finn would never have another chance to compete.
She kept her head down as she ate, not looking at the happy group, and not sulking or throwing tantrums as she would have in the past.
Because she simply didn’t care anymore.
She calmly finished her meal and stood up. “I’m done eating. Take your time.”
If she didn’t say goodbye, they would likely lecture her again.
Max looked up, surprised not to see Lila jealous or pouting, noting how much colder she had become.
His heart softened as he spoke, “Lila, do you really not want to join the family team? Your gaming talent is quite good. We could all work together as a family and win the championship!”
“Lila, I’m offering you this chance.”