"ALEX!" Lillian raised her voice. When adding a dramatic accent, she carried on, "How can you be so rude to Eva? Here, she is, a poor girl who is trying to fit in, and you make her feel like an outsider?"
Alex was flabbergasted. He pointed towards himself and Lillian, unable to process this. Even Eva had shock on her face.
"Lily?" Eva slowly asked.
Lillian sighed. "I know, Alex here is a doofus, but it's alright, Eva. I am here. I will keep him in line."
"The hell you will! Let go of Eva before you hurt her!" shouted Alex, stepping forward to touch Eva.
But before he could do that, Lillian's feet extended and tangled around Alex's ankle. With the use of little force, the man lost his balance and fell forward.
A harsh thump was heard when he went down on his knee, and his jaw hit her bed.
"Fool," Lillian mumbled.
"Alex," Eva voiced out, getting rid of Lillian's hold and going over to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and her eyes were filled with concern.
"Are you alright?"
When Alex lifted his head, his nose was tinted red. Warm blood flowed out of his nostrils, showing them the impact of the fall, and Alex instantly covered his nose.
Lillian was a little disappointed.
She wanted him to break at least a tooth or two.
While Alex glared at her, Eva's eyes immediately teared up. "That looks so painful. No matter how mad you're, you should come at me, Lily. Why are you hurting Alex? Both of you are family."
"Eva, do you not like me?" Lillian questioned.
That made Eva stare at her confused.
"Then, why are you taking Alex's side instead of mine? How can I hurt a big man like him? Obviously, he was clumsy first and couldn't walk properly," stated Lillian.
"You, you were the one who tripped me! I will deal with you, bitch!" Alex pointed his finger at her.
There was a mocking amusement that flashed in Lillian's eyes for a second. The only reason her second brother could hurt her because she left herself vulnerable in front of him.
However, when you pamper someone too much, they forget their place.
Just like how her brother forgot how many times he tasted defeat in her hands when they were younger.
Lillian tore the IV drip needle away from her hand and moved closer to him. Her feet stepped down on his toes, eliciting a wince from him. Before he could curse, she pulled her leg back and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't notice."
Alex immediately stood up. His tone was threatening. "Lillian, do you think I don't have a way to put you in your place!? Since talking doesn't work for you, I will have to deal with you hard way!"
Her memories took her back to her last life. Even then she fainted, and when she woke up, there was Eva and Alex. In her weak state, she had to hear Alex scold her and make fun of her, instead of saying a word of concern.
She was angered to the point, Lillian got down from her bed, about to push them to leave, when dizziness got to her. She tripped and fell down— with her nose bleeding.
However, the merciless Alex left her down on the ground to bleed, looking at her in disdain, and went to play games with Eva.
Now, Lillian's eyes mirrored the same disdain— as if silently calling him a loser.
"Get out of here, and don't dirty my floor with the blood. This small room is already suffocating enough," Lillian commented.
Originally, Lillian had a grand room to herself. However, a couple months ago, under the name of renovation, she had to shift to this room close to the servant's quarter.
Although she was displeased, her parents scolded her for being a spoiled brat, and she settled here. Then, when Eva came here, her room automatically was assigned to her.
In her previous life, Lillian didn't hold any complaints. She was clear of what she owned and owed to others. Therefore, she felt more grateful to Chen family for giving her a room.
But now, it boiled her blood. She always gave her best to the Chen family, prioritizing them over her, when they treated her like an afterthought.
There was no denying she felt anger towards herself!
What kind of dog shit was her head filled with?
Did she Chen family cast black magic on her?
The constant humiliation was beyond what Alex could endure. His eyes flared up when he raised his hand around to slap Lillian when she provokingly stared at him.
"What? Are you going to slap me now? You go around spreading how you're going to treat me like your real sister, and now, you are going to slap me? Isn't this too hypocritical of you?"
Lillian chuckled.
Alex lowered his hand and grabbed on to Eva's wrist, dragging her out the room. He then slammed shut Lillian's door, and before Lillian could do anything, he locked it up from outside, imprisoning her again.
Lillian sighed and sat down on the bed.
She was a step late.
°°°
Alex leaned his head against back pillow of the couch. The bridge of his nose still hurt. Beside him was Eva seated with ice pack in her hand.
"Alex, I am sorry how Lillian is acting hostile to all of you because of me," Eva spoke out, "she owned everyone's love for so many years. I understand how she feels.
If I had a great pair of brothers loving me so much, even I would feel reluctant to share their attention and love."
Her soft and pitiful voice melted Alex's heart.
"Eva, you don't always have to be so understanding. Lillian, she should know her place well. After occupying your place for so many years, how dare she act entitled? Like a good dog, if she acts well, she can be kept. If not, she will be discarded." Alex's voice was cold.
Eva smiled.
"It's nice to have you and Jason. No one has protected me growing up."
Alex furrowed his brows. "Did the Lu family treat you that bad? Didn't you have three older brothers?"
Eva fell silent and played with her fingers. "They- uhm- wasn't much fond of me. I guess I am not much likeable."
There was self-mockery in her voice, making Alex's heart ache.
"No wonder they say blood matters. That Lillian shares the same blood as that disgusting Lu family," Alex stated. Then, his mind lit up with an idea. "Why don't we teach that Lillian a lesson tonight?"
"A lesson?"