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560words
Sophia excitedly ran downstairs, but she overheard the Thompsons harassing him at the door.
"Ethan, I’m fine!"
"Mr Harrison probably didn’t know there was a pin hidden in the scarf he gave me."
"It stung a little earlier, but I’m much better now."
Lily removed the scarf, pulling out a sewing pin embedded in it. She clutched Ethan’s arm dramatically.
"What kind of shoddy gift is this? With pins hidden inside?"
"Throw everything he brought straight to the storage room!"
Ethan snatched Lily’s scarf and threw it in the trash.
Still not satisfied, he kicked a nearby gift bag. Its contents spilled onto the floor.
"James! When did you get here? Sorry to keep you waiting…"
Sophia rushed in, just in time to see Ethan kick James’s gifts. She bent down to pick up the items.
Ethan truly held no regard for Sophia. James was her blood brother after all!
"How’s your packing? Should I take some things for you today?"
James had been suppressing his anger.
His parents had warned him not to argue with the Thompsons. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have tolerated Lily and Ethan.
James ruffled Sophia’s hair. His eyes told her he was fine.
"Packing? Sophia, where are you going?"
"If it’s because Mom asked you to move rooms for me, I can give it back! You really didn’t need to complain to James."
Lily hid a flash of delight and pretended to be generous.
"I’ve been feeling down lately. I’m just taking a trip to clear my head after finals."
"It has nothing to do with the bedroom. Don’t jump to conclusions."
Lily habitually accused Sophia at every turn. Anyone perceptive could see her scheming, yet the Thompsons always missed her subtext.
Sophia would point out Lily’s schemes directly before. Now, she couldn’t be bothered.
"The winter break isn’t long. It’s better that you stay at home and do some part-time jobs."
"Lily’s already planned her winter break. You should learn from her."
Ethan instinctively compared Sophia unfavorably to Lily, praising Lily and belittling Sophia.
"It’s none of your business, Ethan." Sophia’s tone was firm, "James, my things aren’t much. You can help me move them next time."
Sophia walked James out. James patted her shoulder sympathetically.
Saying nothing more, he drove off.
He’d come as the Harrisons’ representative to thank Mr and Mrs Thompson for raising Sophia.
Unexpectedly, they hadn’t even bothered to see him.
When he suggested waiting, they said they were busy indefinitely and told him to schedule another time.
Even the gifts the Harrisons had prepared for the Thompsons were thrown into storage by Ethan.
Back in the living room, Sophia overheard Ethan instructing the staff to privately distribute James’s gifts.
"Sophia, don’t overthink it. I don’t look down on James’s things."
"But Mom and Dad are used to luxury brands. They wouldn’t touch unbranded products."
Lily chimed in,
"Sophia, don’t be mad at Ethan!"
"Your brother’s scarf genuinely failed quality control!"
"Thank goodness the pin stung me instead of Mom!"
James’s scarves wouldn’t have hidden pins.
And those products weren’t unbranded. Ethan just didn’t recognize it.
Sophia didn’t respond to their justifications.
She went upstairs to her bedroom. But remembering it now belonged to Lily half-way, she detoured to a downstairs guest room.
"Ethan, is Sophia mad? Why is she ignoring us?"
