?Chapter 134:


    The Evans family was buzzing with whispers, scratching their heads over why their golden boy, Cole, looked like he’d been dragged through a hedge backward today. Something wild must’ve gone downst night to leave him in such a state.


    But Myles, Aron, and Hugh knew the whole messy story. And all they could say was—when Cole lost his marbles, he didn’t just go off the deep end. He dove in headfirst! Making them spar with him was no big deal. They’d been trading punches with Cole since they were knee-high to a grasshopper—they could handle a few bruises. But Cole had even hauled them into high-stakes card games, and not some friendly round with peanuts. Oh no, he made them bet cold, hard cash. What kind of billionaire shook down his own crew for their lunch money?


    The three of them had grown up tight with Cole, so their vibe was more like brothers than boss-and-underlings. The three had been treated like gold, pulling in seven-figure paychecks yearly, and over the years, they’d squirreled away a nice little nest egg. But when Cole’s mood took a dark turn due to his recent argument with Elliana, all those perks had vanished faster than a magician’s rabbit. Heck, after the cliff card games, even the clothes on their backs were technically “borrowed” from him!


    Once returned to the Evans estate, Cole had bolted upstairs to track down Elliana, while Myles, Aron, and Hugh made a beeline for Paulina, desperate to borrow some cash.


    The four siblings had all been raised under the Evans roof. They weren’t the big shots of the house, but Ruben had hooked them up with their own courtyard when they were kids—a cozy little corner to call their own.


    Finally back in their private hangout, Myles, Aron, and Hugh let their guards down a bit. But none of them dared mention the money issue, terrified of Paulina’s sharp tongue.


    Paulina plopped into her chair, eyeing the three like a hawk. “What in the world did you three get up to with Mr. Evansst night? You look like you’ve been through the wringer, and Mr. Evans didn’t even bother changing his clothes. Is this how you look after him?”


    Myles and Aron exchanged a nce. Spilling Cole’s ridiculous antics was not on the table.


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    But Hugh, always the baby spoiled rotten by his big sis, just waved her off. “Can’t talk about Mr. Evans’s business, Paulina. Just drop it. Uh… can you spot us some cash? It’s urgent.”


    After a beat, he added, “We’ll pay you back next month when our paychecks hit.”


    Paulina’s brows shot up. “All three of you need a loan?”


    Hugh nodded first, and Myles and Aron followed suit.


    Paulina’s jaw practically hit the floor. “You’re each raking in millions a year. Where the heck did all your money disappear to?”


    Hugh, never one to filter his thoughts, blurted, “We blew it all gamblingst night.”


    Myles and Aron shot daggers at him. Seriously? Couldn’t he have sugarcoated it a little? Had he forgotten the Fletcher family’s iron rule—no boozing, no fooling around, no gambling, no trouble?


    Before they could kick Hugh under the table, Paulina’s voice cut through the room. “Myles. Aron, on your knees. Now!”


    Myles and Aron dropped to the floor like soldiers following orders. In their family, Paulina’s word wasw. When she said kneel, one knelt, no ifs, ands, or buts.


    Hugh, standing off to the side, gave them a pitying look. As the most pampered, he rarely had to face the music—when he screwed up, Myles or Aron usually took the heat for him.


    “How dare you drag your little brother into gambling? Do the family rules mean nothing to you?” Paulina snapped.


    Myles pushed his ck-framed sses up with a weary sigh. “Paulina, there’s a story behind it…”


    “No circumstances justify taking your brother gambling!” Paulina roared, cutting him off. “How many times have I drilled it into your heads: no drugs, no gambling, no vices! Did my words just go in one ear and out the other?”


    Not giving them a chance to plead their case, Paulina took the ruler off the table and marched toward Myles and Aron. “Hands out!” she barked.


    That ruler had been her go-to discipline tool since they were kids. Even now, full-grown and towering over her, the rule hadn’t changed.


    Just the sight of it made Myles’ and Aron’s palms tingle with phantom pain. Their sister didn’t mess around when it came toying down thew.


    Myles looked up, almost pleading. “Paulina, can’t you at least hear us out first?”


    “Punishment first, then you talk,” she shot back firmly.


    Her word was final. Knowing they were out of moves, Myles and Aron stuck out their hands. Whack! Whack! Whack! Three sharp strikes each, stinging like a swarm of bees.


    As Paulina turned back to her seat, Myles and Aron threw Hugh a look that screamed, “This is on you, jerk!”


    Hugh rocked on his heels, barely hiding a smirk.


    Paulina settled back into her chair, fixing Myles and Aron with a steely re. “Alright. Now tell me why you dragged your brother into gambling.”


    Myles let out a long breath and told the whole story fromst night,ying out every detail.


    When he was done, Aron chimed in, “Paulina, we’re not the ones who went off the rails. Mr. Evans was in full-on lunatic mode, and we got caught in the crossfire!”


    Paulina’s hard expression finally softened. “God! Why didn’t you just say that from the start?”


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