Chapter 17 The smell of disinfectant stung her nose. Chapter 17 Alexander stared at the ceiling, dreams and reality tangling in his mind. Sophia's tear-streaked face, her struggling to push him away, then her at the seaside, smiling at another man. "Bro..." A timid voice came from beside the bed. Olivia stood two steps away, fingers white-knuckled around her bag strap. "How are you feeling? The doctor said you fainted from emotional stress..." Alexander slowly turned his head, gaze locking onto her face. Olivia froze like a rabbit cornered by a predator, cold sweat soaking her back. "Having fun?" His voice scraped out, terrifyingly raw. "Wh-what?" Olivia forced a smile. "Bro, what are you talking about? I was just worried about you..." "I remember everything." Those seven words drained the color from Olivia's face. 0.0 % 10 She stumbled backward, nearly toppling the IV stand. "I... I don't know what you mean..." Her voice shook. "Sophia left on her own-it had nothing to do with us..." Alexander sat up, the IV needle tearing from his hand as blood beaded down his skin. He seemed not to feel it, eyes drilling into Olivia. "Why stand so far away?" "Scared of your own brother?" Olivia trembled harder. She remembered how Alexander handled those who hurt Sophia-a rich kid merely touched Sophia's hand, and his whole family vanished from New York overnight. "Bro, you just woke up... rest now..." She spun toward the door. "Stop." This word shackled her in place. Alexander threw off the covers and stalked toward her. "Why target Sophia? Didn't Mom and Dad give you all their love? They dragged her through the dirt just to spare your feelings..." "And you?!" Olivia whirled around with a hysterical shriek. Tears streaked her ruined makeup. 20.0 % 10:54 ་་་་་་་་་་ "Did you ever see me as your Her whole body quaked. "I'm your real sister! But you? You only ever saw Sophia!" Alexander frowned. "What nonsense is this?" "Nonsense?" Olivia laughed bitterly. "Remember my first day back? sister?!" I called you 'brother' so carefully-you didn't even glance at me! Sophia sneezed once, and you gave her your coat!" "I tried so hard to please you! I had a 39-degree fever, but you bought Sophia cake! She got a paper cut, and you summoned a medical team overnight!" "Alexander! I'm your sister! She's just an unwanted bastard! A bitch who stole my place!" "How dare you-" Slap! The sharp crack echoed as Alexander delivered a brutal slap. The woman's pale cheek instantly swelled. "So you've been targeting her everywhere?" "Yes!" Olivia clutched her face, staggering back two steps before bursting into hysterical laughter. 42.5 % 10:54 kIU་་ ་, "I hate her! Why does that impostor get all my own brother's affection? Why do you still orbit around her even after I returned?!" "And you know what's most ridiculous? The kindness from your precious Mom and Dad? It's just guilt! And to shut up outsiders-afraid people might say they treat an adopted daughter better than their real one! It's always been about saving face!" Alexander fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. The smile chilled to the bone. "Olivia, listen well." He spoke with deliberate precision. "What Mom and Dad do isn't my concern. But to me, you're not worth a single strand of Sophia's hair." The words shattered Olivia completely. She collapsed to the floor, makeup smudged like a clown's. "So what? What if I'm not? I'm the Lee's true heiress!" She muttered to herself. "Sophia doesn't want you anymore! She'd rather leave than be with you! Don't you get it?!" Alexander's pupils contracted violently, heart stabbed by an invisible blade. "Get out." Olivia scrambled from the ward, clutching her face, only to collide with Robert and Mary rushing to the doorway. "Olivia? What happened?" Mary reached to steady her. "Don't touch me!" 63.2 % 10:54 Chapter 17 Olivia shoved her hand away, fleeing down the hall with choked sobs. Robert frowned, entering the room. "Alexander, what happened with your sister? How many times must I say it? Olivia is your blood sister. Be kinder to her." But Alexander, now seated on the hospital bed, ignored him. He lifted his head slowly, gaze chilling. "Mom, Dad. It's time we settled accounts." 91.2 % Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!