Jason stopped teasing for a moment, his face reddening slightly. Lucky his skin was a bit sun-kissed, otherwise… well, it'd be more obvious. He cleared his throat. "So… let's talk about that girl's identity."
Ethan smiled faintly, a teasing glint in his eyes. Jason was just too thick-skinned.
"Yeah, Yunshen… who's that girl?" Chase asked, curious.
"The granddaughter of the Empire's old hero, Jonathan, Ye Weiguo," Ethan said slowly, each word deliberate. "Also called Anya."
Jason and Chase stiffened. Who names a girl Ye Weiguo? Seriously.
The Ye family, though… well-known in Kyoto, one of the few old-school aristocratic families.
Ethan looked at Chase meaningfully. "Come to think of it… she's also your former junior at school."
"Purple Star Academy, Kyoto," Chase blurted.
Purple Star is the Imperial Star—basically, anyone from there is likely to become the Empire's next successor. A hotspot for all the highborn kids in Kyoto, plotting their little fates.
"Exactly…" Ethan narrowed his eyes, took out his phone, and dialed.
"Mommy."
"Baby, finally calling me! Oh, my little sweetheart~~"
"I've found you a daughter-in-law."
"What?! Say that again, I didn't hear!"
"Yes, son. You're about to have a daughter-in-law."
"My incredible son! Whose girl? What does she look like? How old? Send me a picture!"
Ethan hung up with a grin, fidgeting with his phone like it was a toy.
Jason and Chase were stunned. Did they just hear that right?
Ethan said he was in love? Explosive news. Maybe he thinks liking someone = being in love. One-sided, probably. The girl might not even know.
Still, Ethan's smile at her face on the screen… hard to comment.
Anya woke up at home, checked the time… only one hour of rest.
"Miss Anya, Lord wants you in the study," Sherry called.
"Got it." Anya frowned slightly, threw on a robe, and left.
Before entering the study… Brandon's voice cut through the air.
"You tell me! Did you team up with outsiders to harm your sister?!" Somehow, Brandon reached this position not just by connections.
From Anya's words, obvious: without Luna, nothing would have happened.
"Dad, trust me. I didn't harm her. If I knew they were bad… I wouldn't let her go with them!" Luna cried.
"Really? You don't know them?" Brandon raised an eyebrow.
"Yes! Not at all! They're not from school. I saw them playing with my sister… I thought it was okay… but…" Luna sniffled.
Then Anya walked in. Just walked. Silent, deliberate.
She glanced at Luna, then Brandon. "Dad."
"Anya, Luna says you know them? If you do, you can't blame your sister. Careless friendships are one thing, but the Ye family has no rules like that!" Brandon's voice was stern.
Bias obvious.
"You're part of the Ye family, yet mix with them? Shameless, but still mine!" Brandon grew angrier.
Anya stood straight. Calm. "I don't know them."
Slap… slap… The sound echoed.
Few words. Big impact. Brandon's pride cracked slightly.
Anya looked at Luna, smiled. "But I do see you with them often."
Luna panicked. "Sister… I know it's my fault… I shouldn't have called you… didn't expect harm… I saw you with them… don't blame me…"
Sniffle. Eyes red. "You don't like me, fine. But can't blame me! Dad says… integrity, can't take unfair hits. I won't admit to what I haven't done…"
Brandon felt it. Integrity—family tradition. More convinced Anya lied.
"I don't know when integrity became lying," Anya sneered.
"Anya!" Brandon shouted.
Anya frowned. He didn't believe her.
"I thought you'd be quiet after being hurt. Nope. Shamelessly mingling with outsiders, lying to slander your sister. Disgrace! We don't have a daughter like you!" Brandon barked, voice rough, making Luna shrink.
"When did you ever treat me as your daughter? Anya? Luna? When did you treat me equally with Luna? You trust her, my words are ignored."
Both daughters, same blood. Different treatment. Anya nearly invisible.
"You…" Brandon reached for a dagger, realized, placed it back with a thud.
Outside, Marina smirked.
"You little minx, let's see what you do now."
Anya ignored him, pressed Luna. "You said I know them. Fine. When? Where? What did I do? School cameras? Tell me. We'll check. Verdict?"
Luna panicked, retreated. Anya… changed. Sharp, fast, dangerous with words. Slow clumsy girl… gone.