"You're right, little sister. If that brat survives this time, it'll be a bloody miracle." Edward's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Second Brother, let me be the first to congratulate you on ascending to the head of the Roland family," Lisa said with a charming smile, raising her glass.
"And I have you to thank for your help, dear sister. This is the result of our joint effort. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're well rewarded." Edward lifted his teacup, brimming with smug satisfaction.
But before the toast could finish, his expression twisted in agony. He staggered and dropped to his knees. A moment later, as if realizing something terrible, he turned toward his sister with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"You… you poisoned me?! Why? We were on the same side!"
Lisa watched him writhe on the floor, a sly, triumphant smile spreading across her face. "If I could poison Big Brother, what makes you think you're untouchable?" She looked at him like he was the most pitiful fool alive.
"You've got a vicious streak!" Edward snarled through clenched teeth.
"Not as vicious as you," she shot back coldly. "But when it comes to cunning, you're far beneath me. Three monks can't carry water, Second Brother, and the great Roland family can't fall into your hands. Remember, I've done more for this than you have. Big Brother? I was the one who poisoned him! So tell me… why should I let you stand above me? Why should I serve under you? Why shouldn't I be the head of the Roland family?"
Her voice rose with each question, her eyes burning with greed. She looked ready to seize the throne that very moment. Then, suddenly, the smug light in her eyes vanished. The world spun violently, her legs gave out, her bones turned to water, and she collapsed to the floor.
Edward's own lips now curled into a mocking grin. "Heh… dear sister, did you think you were the only one who knew how to use poison? Don't forget, the poison you used on Big Brother came from me. When it comes to poison, I'm ten thousand times better than you."
"Impossible! I'm meticulous! I check every bite, every drink. I can't be poisoned, I can't!" she gasped, trying to rise, but her body refused to obey.
"Oh, I know how careful you are," Edward chuckled darkly. "Which is why I never touched your food or drink. You love your baths, don't you? So I had someone mix the poison into your bathwater. Just a little each time… but drop by drop fills the jar. By now, your body is saturated with it. And this particular poison? Harmless until it meets a catalyst. And then…" He gestured toward her teacup. "That tea you drank—that was the catalyst. My dear sister, you wanted me dead. Did you think I wanted you to live? The only difference is… I was one step ahead. Rest easy, the Roland family's glory will live on… in my hands! Hahaha!"
Edward burst into triumphant laughter as he pulled a small pill from his pocket—the antidote to his own poison. Lisa's eyes went wild. He had told her this poison had no cure. That was why she had dared to use it on him. And now she realized… he'd been lying from the start.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" she screamed, thrashing weakly on the floor. But her body was already too far gone; she couldn't even crawl.
Edward sneered down at her. "Stop struggling, sister. In this game, the winner takes all. You lost. Now go to hell… and keep Big Brother company." He tossed the antidote into his mouth—
And a red beam of light seared through the room. With a sharp hiss, the laser sliced clean through Edward's hand. Blood erupted in a crimson spray, splattering across his face. The pain was instant and overwhelming.
"AAAHHH!" His scream tore through the room, stunning everyone present.
Before they could react, a cold, mocking voice filled the air. "Tsk, tsk… my dear uncle and aunt. You've put on quite a performance for me—a plot within a plot, turning on each other. Magnificent. Truly magnificent."
The voice's owner stepped into view. It was none other than Jason Kin, fresh from wiping out the small fry… and just in time to watch the predators devour each other.