?Chapter 3138:


    Beneath the water’s surface, Ernest barely caught the faint sound of voices above.


    He burst upward with a loud explosion of water, gasping for air. “Elissa? Where is she?”


    Neville stood nearby and extended a hand. “Mr. Flynn, get out of there! Elissa ispletely fine!”


    Ernest went still. Water streamed down his face and clung to his hair as confusion took hold.


    A few seconds passed before realization struck. While keeping himself afloat, he narrowed his gaze at William.


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    “Elissa’s perfectly fine!” William lifted his chin and puckered his lips mischievously. “I fooled you! She only went to the bathroom!”


    Ernest could not speak for a moment. A strained chuckle escaped him.


    Neville shot his son a warning re before turning back with an apologetic smile. “Mr. Flynn,e on out.”


    “Alright.” With Neville’s assistance, Ernest hauled himself up onto the bank.


    Neville gave him a sympathetic look. “Why don’t you take a shower and change into dry clothes?” He paused and sighed. “I apologize. William was being foolish.”


    “It’s alright…” Ernest answered with a calm shake of his head.


    Everything made sense now.


    The property was heavily staffed. If Elissa had really fallen into the pond, the guards would have acted before William even reached him.


    He had been duped by his mischievous little brother-inw.


    “William!” Neville called sharply. “Get over here and apologize to Mr. Flynn!”


    “Sorry!” William muttered with a shrug, though sincerity was nowhere to be found.


    Sizing Ernest up with a bold stare, William announced, “You want to take my sister away, don’t you? I had to check if you’re actually good to her.”


    The adults might see things one way, but he had his own standards. So he decided to set up a little test.


    Ernest’s mouth twitched. “So, how did I do? Was that eptable?”


    “Yeah.” William lifted a brow, smug as ever. “I’d say you passed.”


    Ernest had plunged into the water the moment he thought she was in danger and never stopped to think twice.


    “But—” William mumbled, “you’re kind of dumb for falling for it.”


    The boy realized with some satisfaction that Ernest had been far too easy to trick.


    Ernest had nothing to say in return.


    Dumb? He forced himself to ept it.


    Starting a fight with his future brother-inw was out of the question. He would have to endure it.


    The thought brought Eric to mind. His brother always bent over backward to please Hadley’s younger brother Brady. At least Brady was grown and had enough sense to quit when necessary.


    One nce at the little troublemaker in front of him made Ernest’s temples throb. Perhaps he had drawn the shorter straw.


    “Now, why don’t you go and change now?” Neville made the suggestion.


    “Alright.”


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