Something wasn''t right. The oldest and the second-heck, even the two brothers


    -were never affectionate, not even with each other. Aside from Charles, they


    never cozied up to anyone. Even the housekeepers who''d fed them for years


    never got so much as a head bump.


    But ra? She hadn''t done a thing. So why were the dogs drawn to her?


    Charles shot a questioning look at the doctor beside him.


    The doctor thought for a second. "Maybe it''s the medication."


    That was probably it. Those two dogs grew up in the research facility-their sense


    of smell was almost supernatural, sometimes even beyond what science could


    exin.


    Charles breathed out in relief. If ra could get along with the two dogs, that was


    the best possible oue.


    He was still lost in thought when ra suddenly piped up, "Hey, big brother, can I


    give my doll to the dogs? I want to put it by their bed."


    The doll was just a cheap prize she''d won at the arcade the kind that probably


    cost less than ten bucks. Meanwhile, the nket the dogs slept on was worth


    thousands. Charles never skimped on them, and besides, these dogs were fierce


    and intimidating. That soft, pastel pink doll just didn''t fit with their vibe.


    People had tried to win him over before by giving gifts to the dogs, hoping to get


    in good with the Chester brothers. But every single gift got shredded to pieces.


    Charles was about toe up with an excuse to stop ra-if the dogs tore up


    her doll, she''d definitely be upset.


    But the oldest dog seemed to understand her. He walked right over, picked up the


    doll, and set it carefully by the bed.


    The second dog joined in, and the two of them gently ced the doll right next to


    their nket.


    Charles was stunned.


    He stared at ra for a long moment. "You, you, you-"


    But he just couldn''t finish the sentence.


    ra didn''t notice anything unusual. She spun around, face lit up with excitement,


    and grabbed his hand. "Big brother, they really like it, right? Should we go to the


    night market tomorrow and try to win more? You''re so good at basketball games,


    and you''re amazing at all the other ones, too. You''re the best big brother in the


    world!"


    No matter how smart or mature a ten-year-old is, when they admire someone, it


    shows.


    Charles''s cheeks turned bright red. He even started doubting himself a little. "R-


    really? Am I really that great?"


    The doctor could see Charles was about to melt into a puddle. He opened his


    mouth to say something, but ra just nodded, solemn as could be.


    "Of course! You''re the best in the whole world!"


    Charles caught the doctor trying to speak and immediately shot him a look. "You


    -out. I need to talk to my sister."


    The doctor hesitated, worry written all over his face. He wanted to remind Charles


    that ra wasn''t really his sister, and not to get too carried away.


    But Charles was too caught up in the moment to hear a thing.


    After the doctor left the room, he couldn''t help but pull out his phone and call


    overseas.


    The person who answered was Charles''s mysterious older brother.


    There was worry in the doctor''s


    voice. "Sir, the young master has


    um, sort of adopted a sister here.


    It''s  Surprising. He''s being really


    sweet to her."


    The man had a coffee cup by his hand and was typing away at hisptop. He


    didn''t even blink at the news.


    "He''s never had friends. It''s good for


    him to spend time with someone his


    age. Just keep an eye on things-if


    she has any ulterior motives, take


    care of it."


    The doctor paused, thinking. "I don''t think she does. After what she''s been


    through, her mind''s like a child''s about ten years old."


    The man''s fingers paused on the


    keyboard. For a moment, he almost


    smiled. "That''s perfect, then. Charles


    has always been a bit immature.


    He''s never been close to anyone


    outside the family. Maybe only a real


    kid can actually get along with him."


    The adult world was just too dull and no one would ever spoil Charles


    unconditionally.


    Even he himself only saw Charles as a cold, emotionless weapon.


    Most of the time, he couldn''t even rte to the boy''s feelings.


    In a lot of ways, Charles really was just a kid. Even at twenty-five, his mind wasn''t


    much different from a child''s.


    Once the doctor realized the eldest brother wasn''t worried, he rxed a little.


    "As long as you''re not concerned, sir. I just didn''t want to mess up your ns."


    The man''s tone was as light as ever, as if none of this mattered. "Just watch


    Charles. Don''t let anyone take advantage of him."


    "Yes, sir."