Because I’d once brought him to the plant, and since he was timid and afraid of rumors about being his sister’s secret lover, he pretended to be my brother for convenience. Everyone believed it.
But Olivia, hearing of his death, wasn’t just indifferent—she even seemed a little gloating.
A man had just died in her factory, and all she could think about was strolling with her assistant.
My heart turned to ice. If she wouldn’t care about her own brother’s death, why should I bother?
When Olivia came back later, Ryan was right behind her in a see-through shirt.
“Ms. Carter, you really dared to bring me home in broad daylight. Aren’t you worried your husband will be angry? What game are we playing tonight?”
Olivia eagerly caressed his chest. “That depends on you.”
As they entered the house and leaned in for a kiss, they froze the moment they saw me sitting in the living room, sipping coffee.
“Michael Carter, what are you doing here?”
Olivia’s face twisted with embarrassment. She stared at me in shock.
“There’s been a death at the factory, and instead of handling it, you’re here drinking coffee?”
Why shouldn’t I drink coffee?
Since the funeral wasn’t my responsibility, and no one in her family cared, why should I, as the brother-in-law, shoulder the burden?
I shrugged.
“What else should I be doing, Olivia? Do you think I deserve to exhaust myself for your company while you flirt and cozy up with your assistant here?”
“You really take me for a fool.”
Just then, her assistant called.
“Ms. Carter, that one-million-dollar check—Mr. Carter refused it. He said you should handle the funeral yourself.”
“I understand.”
After hanging up, Olivia smirked at me and tossed several more checks in my face.
“Don’t be ungrateful. A million is more than enough for one life. Your brother was useless anyway, couldn’t do a single job right. Dying isn’t a loss.”
“If you think that’s not enough, here’s another five million. Satisfied now?”
I didn’t even look at the checks, only stared at her coldly.
“My brother, useless?”
I was baffled.
My younger brother had just been admitted to MIT, known as a top student far beyond the reach of most.
Her words made no sense.
Olivia flung a report at me.
“See for yourself. This is what your brother produced—an absolute mess. If it weren’t for you pulling strings to sneak him in, I’d have fired him long ago.”