Chapter 5: Call Me "Brother Alistair"

Clara’s heart skipped a beat as she looked into Alistair’s eyes. She felt as though she were being pulled into a whirlpool, falling deeper without realizing it.

In the next second, he swept her off her feet.

"Hold on tight, Little Sister. We wouldn't want your legs to go weak again."

Alistair’s gaze drifted downward toward Clara’s beautiful face, the corners of his eyes curving with a hint of mischief.

Julian, standing nearby, felt like Alistair’s words carried a hidden meaning, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Watch it. That's my sister you're talking about."

Julian gave Alistair’s shoulder a light, warning pat.

"Brother, you're back!"

Mia walked out excitedly. If she hadn't seen Alistair carrying Clara, she probably would have lunged into his arms.

Mia froze, her expression shifting into one of interrogation: "Alistair, who is that you're carrying? Why is she in your arms!"

Alistair furrowed his brow slightly. Even when Mia was still known as "Mia Jian," he had detested her.

Now that he knew she wasn't a Jian at all—and that she had targeted Clara—his loathing had only intensified.

"None of your business."

Alistair threw the words over his shoulder and continued walking with Clara in his arms.

As they passed Mia, Clara suddenly glanced back and offered a small smile.

"Good luck, Mia."

Her voice was soft, heard only by the man carrying her and the girl standing frozen in her wake.

Mia clenched her fists at her sides, glaring venomously at Clara’s retreating back.

She had made a perfect plan! In her predictions, there was no way Clara should have emerged from that bar unscathed!

Had something gone wrong?

"Mia, aren't you happy that Clara is back?"

Mia jumped, turning to see Julian. Seeing the smile in his eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"No, I was just shocked to see Alistair carrying a woman. I didn't realize it was... Clara."

Julian nodded. "Let's go inside. I suspect Mom and Dad have things to say."

Things to say? About what! Do they already know what I did?

Mia’s heart began to pound frantically as she followed Julian inside.

"What? You went to the speedway!"

The moment Mia entered the living room, she heard Mrs. Jian’s shocked voice.

She looked nervously at her parents sitting on the sofa, then at Clara sitting nearby.

"Yes. If Brother hadn't arrived in time to save me, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..."

As she spoke, Clara began to sob quietly.

Her shoulders trembled, making her look incredibly pitiful.

Mrs. Jian already felt she owed this daughter so much; seeing her cry made her own eyes turn red instantly.

"Don't worry, Clara. Your father has already sent people to investigate. Once we find out who did this, we will make them pay!"

Mr. Jian nodded beside her. "Your mother is right. Clara, now that you're home, I won't let anyone bully you."

Clara had started out faking the tears, but as she listened, she began to cry for real.

In the Vance household back in Veridia, she had never heard words like these.

"Daughter, you've disappointed me so much!"

"She's just a hound! You were injured like this and you still wouldn't kill her?"

"If you want to remain my daughter, you must defeat them all."

"Hmph! The consequence for disobedience is solitary confinement in the water dungeon!"

Her adoptive father’s words echoed in her mind like a curse. Clara covered her ears with both hands, her body shaking even more violently.

The others assumed she was simply overwhelmed by her emotions; the Jian family members all looked on with deep self-reproach.

Only Alistair knew she had started with an act.

So what was the reason that caused this heartless woman to suddenly suffer such an emotional collapse?

"Alright, alright. Clara hasn't eaten all day. I'll have the maid prepare something so she can rest after eating."

Julian quickly stepped forward to separate the mother and daughter who were clinging to each other.

"She hasn't eaten all day? That won't do. Don't call the maid; I'll do it myself."

With that, Mr. Jian stood up and headed for the kitchen.

Clara looked up, her eyes and nose tipped with red.

"Father... Father knows how to cook?"

Mrs. Jian laughed through her tears. "I certainly don't, but your father’s cooking is wonderful."

Watching the trio laugh and cry together, Mia clenched her fists.

Why?

The moment Clara returned, even the father who had never stepped into a kitchen before was cooking for her!

Mia had only ever heard of his cooking from the nannies and her mother; she had never tasted it herself.

As she watched Julian and Mrs. Jian crowd around Clara, a layer of jealous resentment colored Mia’s eyes.

She felt a gaze on her and turned slightly to see Alistair watching her with a mocking smile—a look filled with undisguised disgust.

Mia’s heart hammered; she was terrified that he had seen her true expression.

"Oh, by the way, Clara, this is... Mia."

Mrs. Jian realized she had neglected her adoptive daughter and looked at Mia with a hint of guilt as she introduced them.

"I saw her at the door just now. She’s a very beautiful sister."

Mia was born a few hours before Clara, so calling her "Sister" was technically correct.

But they were the true and false heiresses who had been switched at birth.

One had enjoyed twenty years of happiness in the other's place, while the other had suffered twenty years of hardship.

Mia forced a smile, grit her teeth. She was indeed beautiful, but standing before Clara, she felt like an ugly duckling.

"Clara, your father and I were thinking... if Mia doesn't want to go back to that other home, we’ll adopt her formally. That way, she can be a companion for you."

"But rest assured, we will not hide the truth from the public. You are the true princess of the Jian family, and nothing can change that."

Mrs. Jian looked at Clara anxiously. Meeting her innocent gaze, the guilt in her heart grew even deeper.

"Of course, this isn't a demand. We want to discuss it with you. If you are unwilling, we won't force you."

Clara felt her mother's hesitation and felt a warmth in her heart. She had come prepared to face biological parents and a brother she had never met.

She had been ready to fight Mia for her place, but she hadn't expected all her preparations to be unnecessary.

Her biological parents loved her dearly; they even spoke tentatively, afraid of upsetting her.

"It’s alright, Mother. If Sister likes it here, then she should stay."

Clara smiled at Mia. "I’ve just arrived in the Capital and everything is unfamiliar. It will be much more convenient having a sister to accompany me."

However, Mia saw a flash of disdain in Clara’s eyes.

Who does she think she is, daring to look at me like that!

"Anyway, Alistair, you should be familiar with my room. Clara’s room is just to the left of mine. Take her up to see it; I have something I want to discuss with my mother."

Alistair, who had been acting as a silent observer, stood up and took Clara’s hand.

"Let's go, Little Sister. Let your 'Brother Alistair' show you to your room."

Clara wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but Alistair’s tone sounded incredibly off.

She didn't have time to think, as Alistair half-carried, half-pulled her upstairs.

"Nice acting back there. Would you like a reward from Brother Alistair?"

The moment they entered the room, Alistair shut the door. Clara even heard the sound of the lock clicking.

In the next second, the man embraced her from behind, his deep voice echoing in her ear: "You called your brother so sweetly... why don't you call me 'Brother Alistair' and let me hear how it sounds?"

Clara didn't speak, but those large hands were already beginning to roam restlessly.

Who on earth said he was stoic!

This was pure, unadulterated lust!

"Alistair..." Clara finally reached her limit. "Brother Alistair!"