---- Chapter 4 It had been nothing less than an absolute nightmare. Nonetheless, I changed into fresh clothes and cleaned up my wounds before heading downstairs. It just happened to be dinner, and my mother looked at me in disbelief, but soon beckoned while scoffing. " So you can find your way back. And you were gone so long without even calling home..." My grief was ready to burst right then, but someone spoke before I could, "Mom, aren't you going to have tea with Mrs. Chandler?" It was Uriah, dressed sharply in a suit as he strode in the door. Mom quickly turned away from me, exclaiming, "Oh, right! I almost forgot-thanks for reminding me!" Uriah shrugged and settled on the couch, grinning at meas he said, "Oh, you're finally back, John. It's high time you learned to fend for yourself and stop upsetting our parents." ---- Everyone turned toward me right then, while my heart skipped a beat when I saw Uriah's mocking grin. But I didn't snap like before, and my mother didn't refute it. Just one glance at Uriah, and she was shaking her head disapprovingly. "You're losing weight again, Uriah. You haven't been eating well, have you? "Your health is always more important than work, and it's not like your dad resigned yet." Hearing that, I quietly hid my hand behind myself. I was barely a few feet away from my mother, but she never noticed my limp or my bruised hand. And yet, she immediately noticed that Uriah wasn't eating well. On the other hand, Uriah smiled. "Right, I should be more disciplined since John has made enough trouble for you." Mom glanced at me, looking like she had much to say but only sighed. ---- As my mom tried to get me to eat more at the dinner table, I tamely thanked her. However, she still sighed wryly. But thankfully, she didn't lecture me, even giving me the debit card she and Dad had confiscated before. "Look, John-we were so worried when you left, so we decided we won't be so strict with you. Your dad deposited more money in the card too." My fingers clenched around the card for a moment, but I soon let go. The card came back to me way too late. Somehow, I could feel Uriah staring at me throughout, but when I looked up at him, he turned and smiled at Stella who sat beside him. "It's like you're only capable of getting better. I can't even be mad about losing to you at that auction." Stella rolled her eyes, but pulled out a gift box and spoke with a milder tone than usual, "Here's your ---- birthday present. Sorry I couldn't make it since I was ona business trip abroad." "Oh, and I thought you're so busy you've forgotten," Uriah chuckled, and opened the box to reveal a dark- green wristwatch. I paused, as I had seen it on a list of auctioned items. Back then, I had taken a liking to it right away, but I didn't have an invitation to said auction event. Stella had noticed me staring, and told me coolly then, "Don't cause trouble, and I'll buy it for your birthday." But now, she was giving it to Uriah-even if she said nothing, I knew that it was my punishment. Nonetheless, I excused myself politely from my table after eating my fill and left the table, only for Stella to confront me upstairs. In "CEO, Those Twins Look Just Like You" by CrushReel, a single mother's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with a charming playboy who unknowingly holds a billionaire secret. As their worlds collide, secrets unravel and hearts intertwine in this captivating romance novel set in a modern office backdrop. Amidst the challenges of raising twins solo, our protagonist finds herself drawn to the enigmatic playboy, unaware of the wealth and complexity hidden beneath his charismatic facade. The juxtaposition of their contrasting lives sets the stage for a tale of unexpected love, where opposites truly attract in ways neither could have imagined. This sweet romance novel delves into themes of family, identity, and the power of love to transcend social boundaries. With its blend of heartwarming moments and intriguing twists, "CEO, Those Twins Look Just Like You" stands out as a refreshing take on the billionaire CEO trope, offering readers a glimpse into a world where love knows no bounds. Experience the magic of this ongoing story at CrushReel and dive into a narrative that promises to captivate your heart and leave you eagerly awaiting what unfolds next. Read online at CrushReel for a journey that will keep you hooked till the very end.