Chapter 836
Chapter 0836
"You have no idea how proud your brother is to have you as his sister," Evangeline said with a chuckle.
"He doesn't just brag about you to me he talks you up to anyone who'll listen."
"Oh?" Suzy laughed.
"Is there some juicy story here I don't know about?"
"Actually, yes!" Evangeline's eyes lit up.
"There was this one time I took him to my college reunion.
"One of my classmates started going on about how her sister was the best in the world and that no one could possibly compare.
"Well, your brother wasn't having any of it. He immediately jumped in, arguing that his sister was the best-hands down, no
contest."
Suzy raised a brow, amused. "Seriously? Over who had the best sister?"
"Yep." Evangeline sighed with exaggerated disbelief.
"That was the day I learned that men don't just compete over cars, houses, money, wives, or kids—they also compete over
sisters."
Suzy burst out laughing, but Evangeline wasn't done.
"You should've seen him standing there, hands on his hips, firing back at this poor guy like a knight defending your honor.
"I sat there thinking, 'Is this really the same man who barely talks when we go out in public?'
"At home, he's Mr. Chatty, but out there? Silent as a stone, unless someone tries to say their sister is better than you.
"I asked him about it later, and you know what he said?"
"Why waste words on people who don't matter?' That was his response. Unless, of course, the conversation was about you."
As Evangeline recounted the story, Suzy kept a close eye on her expression.
And that was when she noticed it a flicker of something in her eyes.
It was jealousy.
It passed quickly, but Suzy caught it.
Evangeline must have realized she'd been caught, because she quickly forced a laugh and waved a hand dismissively.
"Honestly, sometimes I do get a little jealous of you," she admitted with a sheepish smile.
"Not because of how much he cares about you, but because you have a brother who loves you so much.
"People say the greatest gift in life isn't a partner who loves you, but a brother who cherishes you like you're the most precious
thing in the world.
"No matter what happens, he's always there a safe harbor to protect you." Suzy's smile thinned.
"I'm not so sure about that. Honestly, I think he treats you way better than he treats me.
"Remember when we faked that argument to fool Helena? I figured you'd tell him about it.
"But nope. He thought we really fell out, and the next thing I knew, he was at Helena's place, tearing into me and swearing he
was done with me forever.
"That kind of 'safe harbor'? No thanks-I'll pass."
"Is that so?" Evangeline smiled faintly.
"I had no idea. He never mentioned anything about it when he came
home actually thought about
telling him, but thener
figured he
"He cares about you too much. If he knew the plan, his reactions wouldn't have
been as genuine."
"Ah... I see." Suzy pressed her lips together and forced a smile.
"Well, I should head back to my room. You get back to whatever you were doing."
Back in her room, Suzy paced the floor, replaying every conversation, every strange moment, and every
piece of the puzzle that had brought her here.
The more she thought about it, the less sense it made.
Something was off. Very off.
Dylan noticed her agitation immediately. "What's wrong?"
She opened her mouth but hesitated.
"Nothing," she said, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her words.
"Suzy," Dylan said softly, his eyes searching hers.
"You wouldn't look like this if it were nothing. What's going on?"
Suzy hesitated a moment longer, then sat beside him and exhaled slowly.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it... but I can't shake the feeling that everything we've been chasing is wrong."
"Wrong?" Dylan's brow furrowed. "How?"
"Like someone's been guiding and manipulating me this whole time. Every step I take feels like it's leading me further away from
the truth.
"First Helena, then Serena... and now..."
Her voice faltered.
"Now what?" Dylan prompted gently.
Suzy swallowed hard. "Now I'm starting to think they might both be innocent."
His eyes widened slightly. "And if they're not behind it, then who is?"
Suzy clenched her jaw, her thoughts swirling as the pieces clicked into place. She met Dylan's gaze, voice low and uncertain.
"My sister-in-law, Evangeline."