Satting in front of the vanity mirror, Eliza was on her own-no maid around, so she had to deal with her long hair herself. She turned, her eyes lwiefly meeting the angry face of Dn, who had stormed into the room. his fury written all over him. She fought to bold back the


    the disgust building inside and coolly asked, "Dn, what''s going on?"


    Dn red at her, his voice sharp with anger. ''11 ask you again-did you rain Sophie''s gown? How could you be so heartless? You knew today was hering-of-age criemony, yet you still ruined her gown!!


    Just as Dn was about to explode, the one person, Eliza hated more than anything appeared behind him.


    Sophie poked her head out, shing a sheepishi simile and trying to y the peacemaker. “Dn, don''t be mad. I''ve already exined, haven''t I? Thzadidn''t do it is purjanse-she''s just a bit climsy


    Sopher, small and delicate, always looked like she needed somer to protect her. Her big, doe-like eyes Full of innocence made it impossible for anyone not to feel a protective urge


    Sophie knew exactly how to use that act to her advantage, and she was keenly aware of how the whole Suonor Exmily felt guilty toward her.


    Lonly been found six months ago after being kidnapped at the age of three, and had suffered terribly in the years she''d been lost.


    or guilt the Notor fan


    donor family felt made them bend over backward to make it up to her.


    Liza had once thought the same way-Sophie was supposed to be her sister, after


    all. But in her past life, that naive thinking had cost her dearly.


    Now, sering Soplür''s fair again, Eliza felt an uncontroble surge of hatreil


    "Sophie! Why are you so nice! It was clearly Eliza''s fault, and yet you''re still covering for her?" Dn grumbled, frustration in his voice


    "No, no, you''re not listening, Dybar Sophie responded, turning to Eliza with a soft, apologetic look. "I''m sorry, Eliza. I just don''t know how to exin things very well. Please don''t be mad at Dn, okay? He''s jur worried about me."


    "What are you apologizing for She''s the one who should be apologizing to you!" Dn


    slot Eliza a furious look


    Eliza lowrand lien eyes, hiding the bitterness summering beneath the surface, and replied, calm and collected, "Dn, you''re right. I made a mistake the other day. I should be the one apologizing to Sophic"


    uth was, she was already two days toote. By now, Sophie had already ruined the gown berself and skillfully shifted the me onto Fliza.


    Sophie defat need an


    any evidence. All she had to do was be seen crying over the ruined gown, and everyone would immediately point their fingers at


    After all, Sophie


    phie had already ruined Eliza''s reputation with all kinds of underhanded tricks. To everyone else.


    Eliza was a a jealous, heartless sister-narrow-minded, vindictive, and willing to go to any lengths to get what she wanted.


    So, whenever Sophie was "wronged; everyone just assumed it was Eliza behind


    it


    Suppressing her rising anger, Eliza gave Sophie a faint smile, her apology sincere. T''ve been thinking about this for the past couple of days, lying awake at night, and I regret what happened. Please forgive me, Sophie,


    Sophie blinked in surprise, as if she wasn''t sure if this was the same Eliza she knew. Is she really being this gengine? she thought.


    "Imple, now you realize you messed up?" Dn scoffed. "If you weren''t my sister, I''d have already sent you to the authorities and let you see what


    Eliza smiled coldly inside ''Sister? Ugh, I don''t ever want to be rted to someone like you again!


    She remembered all too well the day she''d refused to apologize to Sophie. Dn had beaten her mercilessly, leaving bruises all over her body- only sparing her face.


    And even though it was supposed to be hering-of-age ceremony, Dn hadn''t shown her any mercy.


    Ansing her four brothers, the twin brothers, Dn and Matthew, were the hundest to deal with. Especially Dn-his temper was explosive.


    When he was in one of his protective croods, he would take on anyone who dared to bully Sophie. But if he was angry, he wouldn''t hesitate to take


    ly true when she had a falling out with Saplur, the moment Sophie started crying. Eliza knew she was in for it.


    This was especially!


    Eliza pressed her lips together lightly, fully aware that she was no match for Dn


    in terms of both height and strength. Trying to fight him would only end badly for


    her.


    So, she chose to bite her tongue. It''s fine, she thought. I''ve got all the time in the world to get my revenge.


    But her quick and decisive apology seemed to leave some people unsatisfied.


    "Dn, since Eliza has already apologized, let''s just let it go. It''s not that big of a deal, but it''s a shame about my gown. I might not be able to attend today''sing-of-age ceremony," Sophie said, her voice soft and hesitant.


    Dn, who had initially nned to drop the matter, felt a surge of protectiveness for Sophie after hearing this.


    "No way, this can''t just be brushed off! She ruined your gown, and who knows what else she might do next? She needs to be caught a lesson so she''ll learn her lesson!" Dn said firmly.


    He turned and red at Eliza. "Since you ruined Sophie''s gown, take your owning-of-age gown and give in to her. As for the ceremony, withour a gown, you can forget about going"


    I immediately,


    . She wasn''t surprised.


    Sophie''s eyes gleamed with a sly glint, but Eliza noticed it i


    After all Sophie had deliberately ruined her gown and framed her for it, just so


    she could get her hands on Eliza''s gown.


    The


    wn for theing-of-age ceremony


    by had been custom-made for her by her four brothers a year in advance.


    The crown was a delicate emerald-encrusted gold band, and the gown was embroidered with butterflies on exquisite silk.


    It was the finest of its kind in Hasen City. When they had designed it her brothers had told her they wanted her to be the most admired girl at the


    But now, that title of "most beloved little sister had been handed to someone else


    Seeing Eliza stand there in silence, Dn misunderstood her quietness as reluctance toply, and his irritation grew. "What''s this? You don''t want to? Or are you just pretending to be sorry, wasting my time


    "If thats the case, don''t me me for being tough. You will give it to her, whether you like it or not-


    "Fine." Eliza interrupted him sharply, not bothering to meet his eyes.


    Without a second nce at him, she turned and went to her room to retrieve the gown she had already prepared.


    It never truly belonged to roe anyway-why should 1 care? she thought.


    She handed the gown over with a slight smile Sophie, here. This gown is yours now, go ahead and take it."


    Sophie was caught off guard by Eliza''s calm eptance.


    She had expected Eliza to make a scene and really set Dn off. With Dn''s short temper, he would have forced her to hand over the gown in the Why is Eliza so calm about this?'' Sople thought, a sense of unease creeping in. Since this whole thing started, Eliza''s reactions had been unusuallyposed


    Did she know I wanted her gown all along? Did she... mess with in somehow! Sophie pondered, a sh of disdain crossing her mind.


    Thinking she had figured Eliza out, she sneered inwardly. ''Fool, let me show you who''s in control"


    Sophie pretended to reach for the gowns, but as soon as her fingers brushed the fabric, she suddenly cried out in pain. "Ah. Dn, it hurts!"


    The gown fell to the floor, and Sophie spun around, throwing herself into Dn''s arms with a look of feigned terror.


    D