2. Strange StepSister

A white car stopped in front of the mansion with a luxurious exterior.

“We’ve arrived, boss.”

When the door opened, a man with dark hair and a leopard patterned masquerade mask hopped from the car. He looked around the villa which was built in the mountains, one hour away from Blaine's mansion.

As he turned his eyes, he could see the city’s lights far below the ridge. In that huge place, there was one thing that he wanted to conquer.

‘Blaine corporation,’ Chaylen thought as he clenched his fists.

“Boss?”

If only the driver hadn’t called him, Chaylen had almost forgotten what he was supposed to do. While dressed in a formal black suit and hospitable smile, Chaylen looks like a gentle, noble man at first glance. But the gun on his back showed that he was going to a secret society gathering that was affiliated with influential figures from the underworld.

The host of the party walked inside the venue. But no one greeted him, nor did he have any plan to introduce himself.

Settling on the corner, Chaylen stood and watched the event with persistent gaze. Then, a man with a blond man holding a cocktail stood beside him.

“Today’s gathering was a success. I feel good.”

Chaylen looked at the man. He had beautiful lips exposed below his lion mask, and he made a smile as if he truly enjoyed himself.

As the mafia boss, Chaylen is an influential figure of the underworld, not only because of his outstanding martial arts, but because he was a drug dealer who controlled the underworld as a whole. He took advantage of the money he earned from drug sales to form a syndicate and took over the criminal world. His influence was so powerful that even the existing syndicate who monopolized the underworld were wary of him.

And the boss of the syndicate is Hunter Cadieux.

Hunter is a wise man. Instead of fighting against Chaylen, he chose to solidify his power by forming an alliance instead. And therefore, the party today is to establish an alliance between the two syndicates and the drug trade.

“You always look like you are having fun, Hunter,” Chaylen said, without looking at him.

“What do you mean? There are days when I feel bad too,” the blond man grumbled and brushed his bangs upward.

“I wanted to see that. I mean, you have that sad expression on your face. It must be worth looking at.”

“You are so mean, Chaylen~” Hunter said as he smiled calmly. He glanced at his colleague and his eyes were shone beneath the mask.

“What about you? It seems you aren’t having fun. Becoming the son of Mr. Blaine was a success, though.”

“Watch your words. If someone hears you in this place, I will rip that mouth of yours.”

Chaylen growled and warned him. But Hunter didn’t even blink. He just pretended to be relaxed as he always has.

“Then, care to explain why you are looking so gloomy even if the alliance party is successful?”

“I am in a… odd mood,” Chaylen answered.

Hunter burst out laughing. He placed his cocktail glass on the side and asked, “Odd mood? Not bad? Not good? But odd?”

Chaylen raised his thick brows without replying to Hunter. He couldn't even understand how the hell he would react.

He succeeds in fooling Callix Blaine to make him believe that he is his missing son. It was an extraordinary achievement that deserved to be applauded. But somehow, Chaylen feels strange.

It is because someone in the Blaine family has piqued his interest.

“The information you shared with me about the Blaine family is all precise, right?” Chaylen asked Hunter.

With confused gaze, Hunter answered. “Of course. As my partner, you should never suspect my ability to get information.”

According to information Chaylen received from the boss of the syndicate, the Blaine family is full of trashy people.

Callix has a billion slush funds. Caroline Blaine killed a prosecutor. Justine Blaine is involved in human trafficking. Madeline killed a maid. Simon had a hit and run case. And last, the youngest illegitimate daughter is worthless and timid.

Chaylen gathered enough information to fool the family. And yet, he felt he was wrong about one thing.

That is the youngest daughter of the family, Ophelia Blaine.

When Chaylen visited the house for the first time, he spoke with caution. Even the tip of his eyelashes was slightly down, which made him look pitiful for some reason.

It was such a great acting skill. Chaylen was so sure that everyone in the mansion would hate him. However, that strange woman approached him with a smile that was like a dandelion flying in the hazy spring of sunshine.

[“Welcome, brother.”]

Chaylen looked at his soon-to-be sister. Her slightly lowered head, curved mouth and amber eyes. Ophelia had a strange enticement that was hard to resist.

[“My name is Ophelia. I am so happy to see you too.”]

She spoke as if she could trust Chaylen no matter how much she was getting rained on. Ophelia gave him a warm welcome that wasn’t in his plan.

‘I thought she was gloomy and timid. And that I shouldn’t be wary of her because she hates getting involved with family matters,’ Chaylen told himself.

“There is a butterfly in the spider web,” he uttered before he walked away.

“What are you saying now?” Hunter asked.

“There was… something like that.”

Hunter whined about how frustrating Chaylen was, but Chaylen dismissed him.

In Chaylen’s mind, there was only one woman bothering him. And perhaps he will keep thinking about her all night long.

Hunter stared at his partner while squinting his eyes.

‘I wanted to tell him that my father wanted to arrange a marriage for me with one of the Blaine’s members. I guess, I’ll tell him next time,’ Hunter chuckled inwardly before grabbing his cocktail again and drinking it all.

****************** ***************************************

Ophelia’s POV

Ten billion dollars?

Even if father won’t give him a share in the corporation, isn’t it enough to acquire at least two of the companies of Blaine's corporation?

I let out a giggle while walking alone in the hallway of the mansion. I can’t forget how bewildered my stepsiblings as soon as they heard what father said.

They probably felt as if someone stabbed them behind the back. Sure, Chaylen does not have a single share in the corporation. But he will receive enough money to compete with my siblings.

I wonder what kind of sorcery that Mafia did to fool my father. Nevertheless, the more power he has, the more chance that teaming up with him is the best choice.

‘I have to be on his good side,’ I thought while biting the nail on my finger.

It is dangerous to be acquainted with a Mafia boss. His red eyes told me so. But he is my last chance. It’s either take it or leave it and die.

Taking a deep breath, I held the doorknob in my room. As soon as I opened the door, I regretted coming back to my room and wished I had stayed in the garden a few more minutes.

“You’re here.”

The daunting voice filled my room. My oldest stepbrother, Justine, is sitting by the window. His dark brown hair shook in rhythm with the wind coming from the open window.

‘What is he doing here? He is supposed to be at work.’

I clutched my hands together and gave him a shy answer.

“I didn’t know t-that y-you will v-visit m-me t-today.”

As I purposely stuttered my words, Justine's thick brows crumpled in the middle of his forehead.

“You stuttered too much. Is that really the mouth of a human or a worthless piece of stuttering machine?” he complained.

The reason why I had to be so stupid when having a conversation is because I don’t want to talk a lot with people in this place. Oddly, even if Justine hates the way I talk, he annoyingly pesters my life.

“I am s-sorry. Brother,” I replied.

“That…!” he shouted and then threw something at me.

It hit my shoulder before falling on the ground. When I looked down, I saw my favorite book on the floor.

“I told you to stop calling me in that way,” he murmured beneath his shaking voice.

Justine does not want me to call him ‘brother’. And I don’t really know what exactly he wants me to say except calling his f*cking name.

‘If he didn’t even see me as his little sister, he would have gotten lost and stopped bothering me like a pest.’

Sighing, I picked up the book entitled: ‘I know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou.

“And also. Stop reading that. It will only give you false hope,” he commented, and then, he signaled me to come over.

My stomach churned and my insides seemed to burst into madness when I saw him commanding me to walk closer, as if he was calling a pet. But I had to control my expression and make sure he wouldn’t see how much I wanted to strangle his neck around my hands. Then, I dragged my feet closer to him.

As soon as I stood in front of him, Justine roughly put his hand on my chin and lifted my face.

“Now that we are alone, why don’t you tell me the real reason, Ophelia?”

A hair breath distance between us, a contemptuous whisper pierced into my ear as though it was of a snake.

“Why did you suddenly approach that weak-looking Chaylen and dearly smile at him?”

Since I acted as a gloomy and timid person not worth attention, no one saw me having bright and energetic movements as I did yesterday. Among them, Justine reeled at this the most. Because I never smiled at him from the first day we met in this house.

“Why did you smile at him?” he asked as his eyes shook with anger.

It was a threat. He is not asking me because he wanted to know the reason. He was telling me not to do it again in the future.

Unfortunately, I have no plan on listening to him this time.

The tide of this game has turned. Why do I need to act pathetic when I am planning to be on the side of that mafia b*stard?

“He is an illegitimate son. I thought he and I could understand each other very well,” I responded, without a trace of agitation.

Justine pulled his hand away from me and made one step backward while observing my face.

This was not the reaction he expected. Perhaps my indifference unnerved him and that’s why he raised his hand with grimace.

But instead of flinching, I gave a cold gaze at the man who was about to slap me hard on the cheek.

Yet, Justine put his hand down and instead, a soft laugh slipped from his lips.

“I see. So, you think you finally have someone who will emotionally comfort you. Is that what you wanted to say?”

I wanted to answer that it is not the truth. But exchanging words with a senseless person would be a dire waste of time. And so, I stared at him without saying a thing.

Justine's eyes widened as he jutted his chin forward.

I hardly looked into his eyes in the past. But now, I am looking at him as if he is some kind of pathetic man who has nothing to do in life except to bully his little sister.

Justine tilted his head and looked at something through the window. And then, a sneer appeared on his lips before he stared back at me.

“Since you are looking forward to that, why don’t we start it right now?” he said.

He raised his hand and tapped my shoulder as he leaned closer. Putting his lips near my ear, Justine whispered.

“I can’t wait to see two dogs whining in fear.”

Then, he left my room.

I stared at the open door where he exited.

‘What does he mean by that?’

When I tilted my head outside the window, I saw the servants carrying boxes from the car to the mansion.

‘Wait. Does it mean Chaylen will finally move in today?’

Now I know what Justine meant by those words.

I dashed outside and ran towards the living room. With my indoor slippers, I threaded down the stairway.

The maids looked at me as if I was a weird woman who suddenly ran like a crazy b*tch. But my life was at stake here!

Catching my breath, I arrived in the living room. And the first thing that I saw there is Chaylen sitting down on the ground with blood coming out of his mouth and while holding his cheek.

In front of him, Justine stood confidently.

‘Did Justine punch him in the face?’

I looked at Chaylen’s reaction and waited to see what he would do. He is the Mafia boss, so he can fight against Justine, right?

“B-Brother. I don’t know why you are doing this. B-But please, spare my life.”

My jaw dropped and my eyes rounded as I observed how the Mafia boss groveled on the ground pathetically.

For a moment, I doubted if he is really the Mafia boss, I saw back in the dark alleyway in UniZamp town. But when our gazes met, the doubt vanished.

His red eyes looked at me in a way he was testing what I would do in this situation. That if I am really going to be by his side, I should use my body to shield him and be his pawn.

‘This j*rk.’

He is slyer than I thought.

I never expected that he will use the same technique that I do to survive in this mansion. And here I am, expecting that my alliance with him will be smooth.

Justine turned his back around to look at me. Then he gave me a dogmatic smile as if to show that it was hopeless for me to cling around Chaylen.

“You talk as if I will kill you,” Justine uttered, staring back at Chaylen. He started kicking his stomach.

“Ahhh! P-Please…! Stop it!” Chaylen shouted in pain.

“This is how I usually welcome a sibling,” Justine said while stomping his shoes all over Chaylen. “Don’t you agree, Ophelia?”

I clenched my hands while watching the show in front of me.

Even if the ticket was free, I would never say that I enjoyed watching this show.

However, I have no choice. That conman on the ground is my only ticket to get out of here.

Thus, I had to abandon all the effort I made to create the image of the trepid person.

“Brother! Stop!”

I ran and went between the two of them with my arms wide open. Somehow, I managed to stop him.

All the maids who were watching the scene held their breaths. So, did I.

Bewildered, Justine stared at me as if he was betrayed.

I don’t know what expression Chaylen is making now that I am using my body to save him. But I hope he will think that I am sincere.

“He’s hurting. P-Please stop it,” I begged.

Justine sneered at me. He licked the corner of his lips and scoffed.

“Hah…!”

Sweeping his dark brown hair upward, he stomped his feet, turned around and cursed loudly.

“Sh*t!”

When he looked back at me, he raised his hand and was about to slap my face.

“Justine!”

But the loud voice ceased his attack.

All of us looked at our father, who suddenly appeared.

“What are you doing?!” dad shouted while walking closer.

Taking deep breaths, I watched how Justine put his hand down while biting his lower lip.

“Did you just hit your brother?!” dad continued. He looked at Chaylen and said, “You. Stand up right away!”

Chaylen stood up and then I felt his hand clutching at my shoulder, as if asking for my help.

‘Hah!’  I scoffed inwardly. This is absurd.

“F-Father, I am sorry,” Chaylen stuttered behind my back. “I did not mean to create a mess at the…”

“Shut it,” father warned. Trembling, he glared at Justine.

The next thing that happened made my spirit almost go out of my body.

Pak!

Father slapped Justine’s face for the first time.

Everyone was certain that Justine was our father’s favorite, since he wanted him to succeed the corporation. And yet, he slapped him in front of us.

Unable to believe what just happened, Justine kept his head tilted while looking down on the floor.

“I told everyone to respect your younger brother. And yet you dare to harm him?” father said Justine.

Justine pursed his lips and clenched his fists.

“I am ashamed of you!”

The temperature decreased in the large living room. No one dared to make a sound, even breathing.

While we were all watching in silence, father suddenly looked at me. There was no affection in his eyes, but he seemed bothered.

“Ophelia,” he called.

“Y-Yes, father,” I answered in a low tone.

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Both Justine and I looked at our father in a confused way.

Why is he worried about me all of a sudden?

Is it because I protected the son he favors?

“I am f-fine,” I murmured.

“I see. I am glad that you are okay,” father replied.

Justine was faster than me to retort.

“I kept wordless when you complained how I welcomed my dear brother,” Justine told dad. “But it is suspicious that you suddenly worry about Ophelia.”

Thinking the same thing, I looked at my father and waited for his answer.

“Of course. Everyone should worry about her from now on,” father retorted. “Soon, she will marry the CEO of Jack&John Company. She should be pure and unharmed before the engagement party.”

With my loosened eyes, I stepped forward, closer to my father.

“W-Who? Who will get married?” I asked in a quivering voice.

Dad stared into my eyes and said, “You.”