Chapter 4

Shawn roared, "You still haven't apologized to Queenie! If you don't, don't expect to have a single peaceful day in Nautilis!"

The look in his eyes was vicious—like he wanted to tear me apart. He was nothing like the boy who once made silly faces to cheer me up.

But I'd always know who they really were.

Nigel, the older brother, always had the polished charm of a gentleman—warm on the surface but ruthless underneath.

Shawn, the younger brother, came off like a spoiled playboy, but in truth, he was just as cruel.

Never in my life did I think they'd use those very tactics against me.

"I did nothing wrong. If you want to come after me, go ahead."

I had nothing left to fear.

They didn't need to chase me away. I would stay far away from them on my own. And as for the peaceful days he mentioned? I never had any to begin with.

Shawn blocked my path.

Nigel, meanwhile, descended the stairs. Seemingly out of guilt, his tone softened.

"Forget it. Yvonne got a kick to the stomach. She's probably learned her lesson. I'll have the assistant bring over the newest perfume later. Queenie said it would suit Yvonne.

"Of course, that's only if you promise not to bother Queenie again."

So, what was it? A slap and a piece of candy?

He must've forgotten that I've had asthma since I was a child. I couldn't be around strong fragrances.

Back then, Nigel didn't even trust the maids, insisting on cleaning everything himself. He even washed my laundry by hand.

All that just to make sure there wasn't a trace of allergen left.

Now? They'd all forgotten about it.

I held Mom's journal close. My nose tingled, and before I knew it, I let out a violent sneeze.

Bright red droplets splattered all over the floor.

I'd forgotten that Queenie's dog was still in this villa.

It would seem that I was about to have another asthma attack.

It felt like someone had wrapped a fist around my lungs and was squeezing tighter by the second. My breathing turned shallow.

I tried to call for help, but my throat seized up.

Shawn scoffed coldly. "Drop the act, would you?"

The air drained from my lungs. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to the floor.

Nigel took a step forward, but Shawn grabbed his shoulder and steered him back upstairs with Queenie in tow.

I fumbled through my bag and finally found my inhaler. After a few desperate sprays, I managed to get some air and mustered enough strength to dial for an ambulance.

…

When I was wheeled out of the emergency room, the same nurse from before glanced at my critical condition form and exploded with rage.

"You just barely got discharged. How are you already back here in this state? Not everyone's born lucky. That's why you've got to take care of yourself even more!"

I bowed my head and accepted the scolding.

I understood now. If no one else was going to love me, then I would have to love myself more.

I stayed in the hospital for a few more days, then returned to the Langston family's hospital to formally resign.

However, when I arrived, the entire department was filled with unfamiliar faces.

A few questions later, I found out that ever since Queenie became the new department head, all the colleagues who used to be close to me had either been fired or bullied into resignation.

She could've just come after me. Why did she have to drag everyone else into this?

Anger flared in my chest, and I went to confront her—only to be told that the Langston brothers had taken her to an academic conference.

It was one of those conferences that was packed with the most respected names in the field.

I had applied to attend multiple times in the past and was rejected at every try.

But when it came to Queenie? They threw money around to make it happen.

I left my resignation letter behind and decided to say a proper goodbye to the one person who had ever truly helped me in this family—Mr. Langston Senior.

The moment he saw me, his eyes welled up with tears.