Erica pressed her lips together and remained silent.For the next few days, she didn't talk to him, and Randy just watched her from the corners.Her days were filled with constant training. She seemed to have endless energy, kicking the wooden posts thousands of times a day.Randy slacked off, sneaking glances at her training in the sun."How has she got so much drive? Doesn't she get bored?" he muttered, incredulous.Girls were supposed to like dolls and dresses. But Erica was like a guy, with short hair and no frills. Training was her only passion.In the near distance, Caleb watched with a smile. "She has got more grit than you.""No way. I show up every day," Randy retorted."You show up to mooch food," Caleb scoffed, smacking the back of his head.Randy winced. "Ow! Easy.""Think you that I don't know you call me a geezer behind my back?" Caleb snorted."No way, you're my idol," Randy grinned.Caleb ignored him, turning to look at Erica, who was still training at the p
If none of it made Enoch care, Randy decided to ditch it all.It didn't matter anyway.He started slacking off, ignoring rules, and causing trouble at school. The school called his parents ten times a day, but Enoch never showed up.Randy got bored and played games in class. His behavior got worse, but his grades stayed high, so teachers let it slide.He messed around on his laptop and, in elementary school, built software that earned him a few hundred grand.Enoch still didn't notice.As middle school approached, Randy met Erica at the Houston Mansion.Considering the ties between their families, Caleb took Randy under his wing.Life at the Houston house was dull, but it beat the cold Osborne home.Then Erica appeared, tall and thin. Her gaze was calm and had a sharp edge.Sensitive to that kind of vibe, Randy figured Caleb had done something to her family. A normal girl wouldn't look so intense.He just didn't get why Caleb kept her around. That was just asking for revenge
Randy couldn't figure out why his parents were so cold.Their marriage was like a wall standing between them. Neither ever tried to bridge the gap.The Osborne Mansion felt like an icebox. His parents acted like strangers, never talking.Enoch was especially distant.When Randy was little, he had tried copying his kindergarten classmates, acting cute to get Enoch's attention. All he got was a cold stare.Enoch never stayed home at night, leaving Yvette alone.Randy thought all families were like that. But he soon learned they were not.A school assignment themed with 'father' opened his eyes.Other kids' dads were strict but caring. They hugged their kids and read bedtime stories.Randy had never experienced that. Enoch was different. His coldness hadn't changed.He sent Randy overseas to study, not out of love, but because an Osborne couldn't fall behind other kids.Even so, Randy still craved Enoch's love and made him proud.Training abroad was grueling.Locked in a room
Jordan woke up with a pounding headache.He overdid it with the booze last night. Not young anymore, he couldn't drink like he used to.Glancing around, he saw everyone sprawled across the table, passed out. He chuckled.A waiter stepped in. "Sir, we've got guest rooms ready.""It's fine. Let them sleep on the floor," Jordan said, standing up.He felt his pocket and frowned. The vial was gone."If there is nothing else, I'm going back to work," the waiter said, heading to the door."Wait.""Sir?""Where are the kids?""Kids?"Jordan rubbed his temples. "I mean the two teenagers.""You mean Mr. Osborne and Miss Houston? They left last night.""Little brats."Jordan was sure now.It must be Lillian who had swiped the vial. Solomon wouldn't bother with something that dumb."Got it," Jordan said, waving the waiter off.If they left last night, they would probably have already tried the vial by now. At the end of the day, it was William's fault for bringing it in the first
Debra eyed Jordan, convinced something was seriously wrong with him."Miss Frazier, here is your tableware," a maid said, setting it in front of her.Debra waved her hand, just watching Jordan shovel food in."When's the last time you ate?" she asked."I skipped lunch," Jordan mumbled, head down.Debra remembered their fight at noon. Jordan hadn't touched his food then.For a growing teenager, skipping lunch was a big deal.Barton turned to the maid. "Prepare Mr. Andrew Potter's dinner. He'll eat upstairs.""Yes, sir," the maid said, hurrying off.Debra blinked because just minutes ago, neither Andrew nor Jordan was eating.Curious about what was going on, she sidled up to Barton."Did Andrew and Jordan fight?""Why do you think that?""Both of them are acting so weird today."When she'd tried to see Andrew earlier, Barton had blocked her from entering. Clearly, they were talking about something she wasn't supposed to know.Barton smiled, "It's a secret between the two g
In the photo, Debra's smile was as bright as ever, while Jordan stood awkwardly on the side, his eyes drifting toward her.He didn't hate Debra. He might even like her. But that liking was starting to mess with his head."Why's it gotta be you?" he muttered.He liked Debra, but he loved Andrew more.Jordan set the photo down and headed out.Debra was outside, her hand raised to knock."Ready to eat? I was just coming to get you," she said.It was her way of making nice after a fight, waiting for him to cool off before teasing him again, and that was what he liked about her."Not eating. You go ahead," Jordan said, brushing past her.He knew better than anyone that he wasn't as important to Debra as Andrew was. To her, he was just family, not someone she'd ever like that way.Jordan hesitated but made his way to Andrew's study. The door was closed. He paused, then pushed it open.Andrew was waiting, like he'd known Jordan would show up.After a moment of silence, Jordan spok