"The Medina family's been pushing hard in the market lately. A marriage alliance would stabilize things. Luckily, their daughter doesn't seem opposed to meeting him. Let's see which of the boys' fate favors..."
In the dark hallway, Felix's fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white.
A vicious smile flickered across Felix's face—the kind that only appeared when he'd made up his mind to do something unspeakable.
Over the next two years, both he and Sheila seemed to turn over a new leaf.
They stopped provoking us.
They even began to act friendly.
Sheila often chatted warmly with my brother, saying that once he got into university, she'd personally teach him how to manage the family's business.
Felix became the picture of a dutiful younger brother—obedient, polite, full of flattery.
On our eighteenth birthday, they were especially sweet. Gifts, blessings, smiles that seemed almost genuine.
Just before the banquet began, Felix suggested taking us to the mountaintop to see a "surprise fireworks show" they'd prepared just for us.
Naïve as we were, my brother and I followed him into the car, laughing and excited.
But when we arrived at that desolate mountain peak, the night turned cold—and deadly.
The moment we stepped out of the car, several burly men burst out of the tall grass, eyes gleaming with malice.
My brother reacted first—two punches, two men down—but before he could handle the rest, Felix clung to his leg, screaming for help.
"Help! Don't hurt my brother!"
I tried to run forward, but a cloth drenched in something sweet-smelling clamped over my nose and mouth.
Within seconds, my limbs went weak, my vision blurred.
"Lenon!"
Noah's panicked voice echoed as he tried to reach me—but another thug smothered him with the same drugged handkerchief.
In less than a minute, we were both unconscious, sprawled on the dirt.
The two who'd been "crying and screaming" moments ago suddenly started laughing.
"Take them far away. Don't kill them—just make it convincing. And make sure it's all caught clearly on camera."
Sheila crouched beside my brother, gave his cheek a sharp pat, and sneered. "Especially this one. I want him ruined for life."
The gang leader chuckled, rubbing his grimy hands together.
"Don't worry, Miss Watson. We'll give you exactly what you want. Heh heh."
They hauled us into the back of a van and started driving down the mountain.