Novel Update
Chapter 153
Summer knew all too well her place in the Gilbert household. To the casual observer, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert doted on her, but their affection was merely the result of her newfound fame from the reality show Superstar Camp, which had brought a gleam of pride to their eyes and bragging rights at the country club.
But when compared to her younger brother Aiden, it seemed she could do no right. His presence alone was enough to cast her as the perpetual villain, no matter the circumstance.
Regret had gnawed at her more than once, wondering why she ever returned to the Gilberts‘ posh suburban home when life with the Davises had been free of such indignities.
However, when she thought of her foster parents, the Davises, her emotions tangled into a knot of resentment. Despite their wealth, they chose to masquerade as a hard–up family, their façade far more repugnant than the Gilberts‘ blatant callousness.
Taking a deep breath, Summer tried to suppress the surge of unpleasant memories clawing at her mind.
Sensing her own bias, Mandy reached out and gently patted Summer’s hand, her voice softening. “Your brother’s got a sharp tongue and a short fuse, but he means no harm. Try to cut him some slack, will you?”
A small forced smile flickered across Summer’s lips as she murmured an indifferent agreement.
Aiden sauntered over and perched himself nonchalantly on the arm of the sofa, feigning boredom. “So, how did that little scaredy–cat do on her exams this time?”
Summer gave him a blank look, not catching on to whom he was referring.
“Scaredy–cat?” echoed Mandy, equally.puzzled.
Aiden snorted dismissively. “You know, Mirabella, the one who grew up at Grandma’s.”
Mentioning Mirabella sent a fresh chill through Summer’s gaze.
“Why bring her up all of a sudden?” Mandy inquired.
Aiden’s eyes drifted lazily. “Just curious. You always say how bad she is at school. I just want to see if it’s true.”
Though Mandy had little interest in the academic woes of their foster daughter, Aiden’s comment made her turn to Summer for confirmation.
Summer was already irked by Mirabella’s top grades that day, and her patience thinned at her brother’s probing. “How would I know her scores? We’re not even in the same class,” she retorted, her tone edged with irritation.
Sensing her annoyance, Aiden narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Really? Then why did you come
home looking like the victim of some sort of injustice? It’s as if she’d bullied you.”
Summer instinctively glanced at Mandy, whose expression was once again clouding over. Internally, Summer cursed Aiden to high heaven. She had just managed to divert Mandy from the idea of confronting the Davises, and now the idiot was dragging the conversation back. What a world–class little brother, indeed!
Taking a breath to calm herself, Summer softened her voice. “I really don’t know, and why would I care? We’re hardly friends.”RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
After a pause, she turned the tables, her eyes fixing on Aiden. “But you seem quite interested in her, don’t you?”
“Me? Interested? Don’t make stuff up.” Aiden blurted out, worried Summer would spill the beans about the time he’d been beaten up at Parkside High School while looking for Mirabella. With that, he stood up and bolted away as fast as he could.
Summer watched him go with a mocking glint in her eye. Mandy missed the undercurrents between them. The mention of grades reminded her of something else, and she turned back to Summer. “Oh, that reminds me, I forgot to ask you last time–did Mirabella get knocked out of the city competition?”
Aiden, halfway up the stairs, paused at her words, turning his head back to listen.