Reborn Exposing My Adopted Sister’s Plot
Chapter 9 Turning the Blame on the Wrong One
95
420
- Pearis
“Mr. Mike Spencer, I made myself clear yesterday—I’m done with all of you.” Jesse spun on her heel and strode off.
“Go! Even if you crawl back to us, I’ll never let you in again!” Mike’s furious yell echoed after her.
His anger no longer shook her up. Instead, her pace only picked up, as if she were fleeing something disgusting.
“Don’t be so harsh, Mike.” Taylor’s voice piped up behind him, soft and careful. “Jesse’s on a tight budget. How’s she supposed to get by on her own? She’s still family. Maybe you should try convincing her to come home.”
Mike’s head snapped up when Jesse got into a car. From the open window, he got a glimpse of the driver.
Lyman.
He leaned back in the leather seat, his fingers drumming lightly against the steering wheel, his lips curved into that familiar smug smile. The intense energy that surrounded him was impossible to ignore.
As soon as Jesse met his gaze, her face lit up and her eyes curved like crescent moons. She seemed truly happy–something Mike hadn’t seen in ages.
Lyman’s brow lifted, and for a brief instant, the intensity in his eyes gentled into something
warmer.
Why is he looking at her like that? Why is he smiling at my sister like she belongs to him? Jealousy flared white–hot in Mike’s chest.
He barked out toward the growing crowd, his voice loud enough for Jesse to pick up on. “What kind of sister can’t handle one small favor? I don’t need her!”
The words weren’t just for her. He wanted the others to think it was his choice–that Jesse was the one who wasn’t wanted, not him.
“Mike, let’s just bring her back.” Taylor ducked her gaze, masking the smugness flickering beneath. “I only started seeing you all as family after losing my own brother. She still has you, but she calls someone else her own…”
“She doesn’t care about you, so why bother? Let’s just go home.” Mike slammed the pedal down, fury roaring in his chest. He tore after Lyman’s car, weaving between lanes like a man possessed.
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Chapter 9 Turning the Blame on the Wrong One
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*8. Pearls
He pushed the car to its limits, yet Lyman stayed ahead of him. It was just like childhood; whether it was in grades, brawls, or anything else, he had never once beaten him. Even behind the wheel, the gap only widened.
Every slick maneuver Lyman pulled rubbed salt in the wound. Whenever Mike lagged too far behind, Lyman deliberately slowed, as if daring him to catch up.
The humiliation ate at him until he nearly snapped.
Taylor gripped the seatbelt, her knuckles white. “Mike, I’m scared.”
He didn’t even spare her a glance, his eyes locked on the car ahead.
Lyman eased into the Houston Residence driveway, while Mike slammed on the brakes in front of the Spencer Residence, his fists pounding the wheel until the horn blared nonstop.
Corey stepped out, his brows drawn tight when he saw only Mike and Taylor. “Where’s Jesse? Weren’t you told to bring her back here?”
Mike slammed the door and stormed inside without a word.
Taylor lingered, stealing glances toward the Houston Residence next door.
Corey’s eyes followed her gaze. Lyman stood there, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his dark hair a wild mess that only made him look more intimidating. His hands were digging through several overstuffed bags–full of pajamas, toiletries, and everyday essentials.
Jesse trailed behind, trying to help carry them.
Lyman turned, his piercing gaze softening the instant it fell on her. He gave her a smaller bag, his movement both casual and protective.
“Jesse!” Corey called across the fence.
Lyman snapped his gaze up, sharp and unyielding. He stepped forward, blocking Jesse with a sweep of his arm. Though he lounged against the fence, every line of him screamed warning, “Try me and see what happens.”
Corey’s voice took on a harder edge. “It’s fine to argue with family, but always running away? That’s taking things too far.”
“Wasn’t it Taylor who kept saying she’d leave the Spencers?” Jesse gave a dry chuckle. “Yet she’s still here. I guess she’s not ready to let go.”
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Chapter 9 Turning the Blame on the Wrong One
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Taylor flinched as the words struck deep. She had clawed her way into a wealthy family–there was no way she’d ever give that up.
To Corey, though, Jesse looked cruel.
“Jesse!” He planted himself in front of Taylor, his tone sharp with disapproval.
Jesse’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not like her. I don’t throw around threats I don’t intend to keep. I say it once, I mean it, and I’m gone.”
The door behind them banged open. Mike had been eavesdropping the whole time.
“Manipulate? Don’t say that! Taylor only said she was going to leave, and we pleaded with her not to. Stop twisting things around with that warped mind of yours! She’s nothing like You push her away, yet she’s always the one asking us to bring you back!”
you.
He spun around to face Corey. “Why waste your breath on her? You really want her back just to make Taylor miserable? You didn’t see how awful she was today. She refused to do the roll call, so Taylor lost points in class intentionally!”
Before Corey could reply, something whizzed through the air.
A crystal mouthwash cup smacked Mike square on the head. “Lyman!” He clutched his scalp, staring in shock. D*mn it!
Lyman leaned against the fence, a smirk tugging at his lips. “If you can’t talk like a human being, then shut your mouth.”
Mike stormed up to the fence, veins bulging in his fists.
Lyman stood still, his tall frame oozing arrogance, the infuriating smile still plastered on his face. “My sister’s a student too. She has her own schedule. You keep saying family, but don’t even know she has classes of her own.”
Every time he said “my sister,” it cut into the Spencer boys like a blade.
Mike’s expression darkened. “What do you mean by your sister? She’s mine!”
Lyman stroked his chin, his smile taunting. “Go ahead. Call her sister. Let’s see if she even responds.”
“Jesse, come home with me now!” Mike’s voice shook with angry determination. In his mind, he promised himself, If she refuses again, I’ll cut her off for good. She’ll never be my sister again.
Jesse lowered her gaze, silent.
Lyman bent closer, his deep voice softening. “Jesse.”
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Chapter 9 Turning the Blame on the Wrong One
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She looked up and smiled. “Big bro.”
Mike nearly exploded. “Unbelievable! If you walk away today, then don’t ever come back!”
For a fleeting moment, Jesse seemed to hesitate. His chest eased, thinking his threat had worked–until she spoke up, “Hey, big brother, you just threw away my mouthwash cup. Now I’m out of luck.”
Lyman chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Savage little thing. That’s exactly my style.
“Forget it. It got dirty the second it touched their hands. I’ll get you a new one.”
Jesse’s eyes slid to Mike. Yeah, dirty. Even looking at him feels dirty.
“Okay, big bro.”
She turned toward the house.
Mike rolled up his sleeves, preparing to vault the fence.
“Mike!” Corey yanked him back.
Corey’s tone turned stern. “Jesse, you’ve gone too far. Mike has a temper, but you must have pushed him for him to react like that.
“We forgot you had class today, but your grades are already at the bottom. One missed class won’t make a difference. Why couldn’t you just let Taylor go?”
Lyman scoffed, amusement flickering in his eyes. “There it is. Blame the victim. No one plays
game better than you.”
that
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