From a young age, Ethan was immersed in a prestigious education.


    Skills like swimming, which were essential for survival, were things he had mastered by the time he was just a few years old. In kindergarten, swimming lessons were mandatory, seen as a crucial part of ensuring a child''s safety. At the end of the term, they even had swimmingpetitions.


    Marvin, on the other hand, hadn''t learned to swim yet. Last year, an idental fall into the ocean had left him with a fear of water. Still, he knew he had to learn and was determined to ovee his fear before the end of the term.


    Ste had encouraged him when she heard about his n.


    Keen suddenly paused, his breath catching. He had almost forgotten he could swim.


    Not too long ago, Marvin had caught him trailing them.


    "Keen, I didn''t expect you''d follow us all the way here. Now that you have, what do you think?"


    Keen was infuriated by the friendly connection between Marvin and Ste. He retorted harshly, "I''m Mom''s son. No matter how much she cares for you, you''ll never take my ce."


    "I get to call her Mom, and you can only call her Ste. That''s the difference between us."


    "Mom''s just upset with me right now. You''re only a stand-in."


    "You really think if I just go apologize and sweet-talk her, she wouldn''te back to me and leave you behind?"


    Marvin''s eyes narrowed. He often provoked Keen and had managed to win Ste''s favor a few times. Yet, deep down, he knew Keen still held a more significant ce in Ste''s heart.


    But Marvin wasn''t worried. He believed that with enough time and by being good to Ste, he could eventually be more important to her than Keen.


    Being young, though, patience wasn''t his strongest suit. Hearing Keen''s words made him anxious. His bond with Ste wasn''t strong enough yet. If Keen did go to charm Ste, she might very well choose him over Marvin.


    He couldn''t let that happen. He had to act. His eyes drifted to the nearbyke, and he recalled how Rachel had framed Ste by pretending to fall down the stairs. Without his recorded video, Ste would have been unjustly used by Keen and Mr. O''Brien.


    Marvin hatched a n. He taunted, "If I''m not as important as you, why did Ste share your secret with me?"


    Keen took the bait. "Secret? What secret?"


    "Not telling!" Marvin said, taking a few steps toward theke. "I''m going to find Ste. I''m done talking to you."


    Curiosity got the better of Keen. He had to know what secret his mom had supposedly shared with this troublemaker, so he followed.


    "Marvin,e on, tell me! What did Mom say?"


    "Nope, not saying a word!"


    As they tussled, Marvin deliberately fell into theke, shing a triumphant grin just before he sshed in.


    "If I tell Ste you pushed me, she''ll stay with me to take care of me."


    Keen was stunned by Marvin''s cunning move. For a moment, he was frozen. By the time he snapped back to his senses, Marvin was already floundering in theke, crying for help!