“Interest?” Jack’s mind shed with the image of Ka’s defiant eyes. He shook his head with a smile, “For people like us, the least necessary thing is true emotions.”


    Brady chuckled, nced at the wall separating them from the break room, and murmured, “Indeed, for people like us, the least necessary thing is true emotions…”


    —


    Ka left Taihee Group, seething with anger.


    Damn Ethaniel! How dare he ignore me! If he has the guts, he should never speak to me again!


    And Linda-that woman! Does she think she’s above everyone else? Every time she looks at me, it’s with disdain!


    Despite her anger, she still had responsibilities-like bringing lunch to Oliver.


    As the school bell rang, Ka stood by a flower bed near the school building, scanning the crowd for Oliver.


    “Ka?” A boy’s sharp voice startled her. She turned to see a young boy staring at her. “Perez?”


    Perez, Sam and Eileen’s youngest son, looked at Ka with disdain. “What are you doing here?”


    Unlike Oliver, who pretended to disdain Ka but respected her, Perez genuinely looked down on her.


    Ka snapped back, “None of your business.”


    “Get out of here! This is a prestigious school. You have no right to be here. If people find out we’re half-siblings, how will I live it down?”


    “As if I want to share a father with you!” Ka retorted coldly. “Get lost, now!”


    “I won’t!” Perez raised his chin defiantly. “You dirty cop!”


    Ka’s palms itched with the urge to teach Perez a lesson. Before she could act, a book flew over and hit Perez on the head.


    “Ow!” Perez screamed, turning to see Oliver in his blue school uniform.


    “What are you doing hitting me?” Perez yelled at Oliver, clutching his head.


    “Because you deserve it.” Oliver, as cold as his father, walked over and nced at Ka. “Are you okay?”


    Ka felt an unexpected sense of protection from this kid.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Seeing Ka silent, Oliver turned to Perez and demanded, “Apologize to her.”


    “I won’t!” Perez shrieked. “Why should I?”


    Despite his arrogance, Perez was somewhat intimidated by Oliver. Oliver was a transfer student who rarely attended ss, yet all the girls in their grade adored him.


    “Apologize!” Oliver repeated, more forcefully.


    Perez hesitated, then stomped his foot. “You just wait!” He ran off clutching his head.


    Oliver turned to Ka, dragging her to their usual lunch spot.


    Once they arrived, Oliver scolded her, “Are you silly? Perez is just a kid. If you can’t outtalk him, just hit him! Why let him bully you?”


    “I wasn’t being bullied,” Ka protested. Oliver usually opposed her hitting people.


    “I heard everything!” Oliver sat on the grass, frowning. “He’s your brother, and he’s in my ss…”


    “He’s only a quarter rted to me!” Ka argued. “I didn’t know you were ssmates. Be careful, Perez might retaliate.”


    “I’m not scared.”


    Ka chuckled, handing him a lunchbox. “Here’s your lunch-bell peppers, parsley, broli, all very nutritious.”


    Oliver resisted the urge to throw the whole meal away, took a deep breath, and resignedly ate the vegetables.


    As Oliver ate, Ka hesitantly asked, “Oliver, if I argue with your dad, whose side are you on?”


    Obviously, Dad’s. Oliver ignored her.


    “Even if you don’t say it, I know you’re on my side!” Ka assumed. “Your dad went too far this time!”


    Is it really Dad who went too far? He usually doesn’t argue with you.


    “Even I can tell it was Brady’s scheme. Your dad’s so smart, he must have known. So why was he still angry?” Ka held her face, puzzled.


    Who is Brady?


    “And Linda-I hate her the most. If Ethaniel gets upset seeing Clifton, I get upset seeing Linda. Why does he get to ignore me?”


    Dad has clearly rejected Linda many times… Who is Clifton?


    Oliver felt the need to rify for his dad. “My dad doesn’t like Linda.”


    “I don’t like Clifton either! I didn’t get jealous over Linda. Why should he…” Ka suddenly paused, looking at Oliver. “I didn’t mean it like that! I’m not in that kind of rtionship with your dad! I said jealous, but it was just a joke!”


    Oliver munched on his bell peppers, silently calling her an idiot.


    —


    Seatowne North District Police Station.


    Ka stared out the window, hoping to see a familiar sports car pull in. She still had a bit of hope that Ethaniel woulde to pick her up. But as quitting time approached, that hope faded.


    Ka wasn’t one to dwell on things. If you’re noting, fine. I won’t bow down to you either!


    Ka drove home. Upon opening the door, she smelled food. Following the scent to the yard, she saw Ethaniel grilling seafood and Oliver preparing drinks by the gazebo.


    What are they doing here?


    Isn’t Ethaniel ignoring me?


    Ethaniel nced at her, then resumed cooking without a word.


    Furious, Ka thought, Fine, ignore me! I won’t talk to you either!


    She stormed into her room and mmed the door, ignoring Ethanielpletely.


    “Dad?” Oliver whispered, “I think she’s really mad.”


    “Hmm?” Ethaniel smiled. “Count to three; she’lle out.”


    Really?


    Oliver doubted it. Ka was stubborn. No way she’d cave just for food.


    “Count,” Ethaniel insisted, opening the crab shell and cing it on the grill.


    “… Three, two, one.” Oliver nced at the closed door.


    Bang-the door flew open. Ka yelled at Ethaniel, “Who said you could put your clothes in my closet?”


    Her room now had a desk, an entire wardrobe of suits, and extra toiletries-a clear sign he nned to stay.


    Oliver’s lips twitched. His dad never fails…


    Ethaniel remained calm, handling the food. “Some things, I don’t need your permission for.”


    “You!” Ka fumed. “This is my house! I’ll throw your stuff out if I want!”


    “You won’t,” Ethaniel replied confidently. “If you damage my belongings, you can’t afford topensate me.”


    Ka felt a nerve snap. This man was too much.


    Ethaniel ced the grilled crab on a te and finally looked at Ka. “Ollie said you skipped lunch. Try the crab.”


    “No, I don’t want it.” Ka felt a sudden wave of sadness. What mattered to her, Ethaniel treated as if nothing had happened.


    She turned to leave.


    This wasn’t her home anymore.


    Ethaniel quickly caught her wrist. “Where are you going?”


    To work overtime.” She could stay at the police dorm until she calmed down.


    “No, you’re not,” Ethaniel wouldn’t let her go. “I have something to tell you.”


    “Well, I also have something to tell you,” Ka turned around and looked into Ethaniel’s eyes. “I met Clifton by chance today, and I had no choice but to send him back to Taihee Group. As for why you were there, it doesn’t matter if it was arranged by Brady or if it was just a coincidence.”


    Ka continued, “Since you’re not happy and don’t want to talk to me, then I’ll tell you too, I’m not happy to see Linda either, and I don’t want to talk to you!”


    Seeing her angry gaze, Ethaniel sighed suddenly. “I’m not talking to you because I’m afraid I can’t help but carry you away right now. If he finds out that I have no basicposure for you, then he has caught my weakness.”