The morning after Olivia's furious confrontation, a strange sense of quiet determination settled over the Lucas compound. Charlotte had retreated, momentarily stunned by Olivia's raw aggression. But the punishment stood: Robert was still required to spend his evenings in the freezing, dusty Archives.
With the second competition test looming—a complex task involving a major financial restructuring plan—Robert couldn't afford to lose five hours every evening.
The solution came from an unexpected source: the four Lucas sisters.
They had lived a life of quiet sacrifice, constantly moving with their mother, their inheritance stolen by Charlotte. They were fierce protectors of Robert, the final hope for their family's dignity.
That afternoon, Robert received a cryptic message on his burner phone: "Meet us at the Archives at five sharp. Bring the reports."
When Robert arrived at the damp basement at 5 PM, he wasn't alone. His sister Alice, the eldest, stood guard by the heavy entrance door, a thermos of hot tea in hand. Clara and Beatrice were already inside, wearing thick scarves and gloves, ruthlessly organizing the dusty boxes of documents Robert was supposed to be sorting.
The fourth sister, Jane, who was studying accounting in secret, was seated at the table, her laptop open, plugged into a stolen socket.
"We saw the schedule, Robert," Alice said simply, handing him the thermos. "Charlotte can force you to be here, but she can't force you to work on her duties. You have a test to win."
Jane pointed to the laptop screen. "I copied the financial requirements for the restructuring plan. Clara and Beatrice will handle the archives duty, and Alice will stand watch. We're your silent research team."
Robert stared at them, overwhelmed. He was so used to fighting alone, driven only by his mother's vengeful strategy. Seeing his four sisters—each risking their own safety and time—dedicating themselves to his success, broke through his icy composure.
"You don't have to do this," Robert whispered, the male voice cracking with genuine emotion. "It's too cold, it's too much."
"Nonsense," Beatrice scoffed, pulling on a pair of oversized gloves. "We're tougher than this dust, Robert. You're the one fighting the big battle. Our job is to carry your ammunition."
For the next week, the Archives became the clandestine headquarters of the true Lucas heirs. Robert would spend his mandatory hours poring over financial models with Jane, while Clara and Beatrice meticulously organized the historical documents, erasing all evidence of Charlotte's petty sabotage.
The arrangement also brought James into the fold, though discreetly. James, noticing Robert's sudden time constraint, began bringing simplified, concise research briefs to the Dormitory every morning—crucial data distilled into easily digestible formats.
David, still struggling with his internal conflict and jealousy, noticed Robert's sudden, intense secrecy and his improved performance despite the punishment. He suspected James was involved, and his frustration simmered.
"You're suspiciously calm for a guy working ten hours a day," David commented one morning, watching Robert review a complex balance sheet. "James must be feeding you the answers."
"James is a resource, David," Robert replied, not looking up. "Just like Amelia is a resource for your social climb. We all use the tools we have."
The final insult sent David storming out. He couldn't stand the comparison; he hated that Robert viewed James as an indispensable partner while David himself was being pushed away, his own professional advice ignored.
The sisterly support, combined with James's quiet strategy, gave Robert a terrifying edge. He wasn't just working hard; he was working smart. He now had eyes, ears, and specialized skills backing him up.
He walked into the final day of the financial restructuring test, cold but completely prepared. He felt the weight of his mother's anger, the love of his sisters, and James's watchful loyalty.
He was ready to deliver the next devastating blow to Ethan and Charlotte.