The moment those words left my lips, the entire group froze.
Laurence stood rooted to the spot, utterly dazed, his mind a chaotic whirlwind:
"Did my sister just choose me?!"
"Her voice is so soft. She called me so sweetly. I want to hear it again."
"No, ten more times!"
Seraphine was the first to recover, her expression soft as she said, "Cecelia, what's going on? Weren't you just saying you wanted to come home with me?"
The other three participants quickly chimed in:
"Yeah, Cecelia, aren't you afraid your brother might hit you?"
"Seraphine is only looking out for you. You shouldn't be so ungrateful."
Internally, I sneered.
In my past life, Seraphine had played this same innocent act, constantly driving a wedge between me and Laurence.
Only later did I discover her secret—she had a newly debuted boyfriend in the same company as Laurence.
After Laurence's death, all his resources conveniently fell into her boyfriend's hands.
Seeing public opinion starting to lean toward Seraphine, I knew that if I didn't act now, Laurence would end up trending for all the wrong reasons.
Thinking quickly, I pouted and suddenly burst into loud, dramatic sobs.
The other participants panicked immediately.
Laurence snapped out of his daze and rushed forward, scooping me into his arms.
I had to admit, he was strong.
So strong, in fact, that I almost couldn't breathe. No wonder, in my past life, I thought he didn't like me.
No wonder I thought he didn't like me in my past life.
"What's wrong, Cecelia? Why are you crying?"
He asked me coldly, his tone sounding like reproach.
But only I knew, in his heart, he was concerned and anxious:
"Damn, who's bullying my sister? I'll kill them!"
"When she cries, she's so pitiful, my heart is melting."
I cried a few more times, eyes red and puffy, my pale, delicate fingers trembling as I pointed at Seraphine:
"This lady, she—she pinched me just now! Boo Woo, it hurts so much!"
My act was flawless, and it left Seraphine stunned.
In my past life, I trapped Laurence using this same skillful acting, so I was well-practiced.
As I mocked myself in my mind, I intensified my crying, pretending to be so heartbroken I might faint.
The others looked at Seraphine in disbelief.
Her face turned pale, and she quickly defended herself, "I didn't do that."
Laurence cast her a cold glance, then crouched down to ask me, "Where did she pinch you?"
The other guests immediately chimed in:
"Yes, children can't lie. Where did she pinch you? Show us."
I pulled up my sleeve pitifully, revealing the finger marks I had secretly pinched myself earlier, crying out:
"It's right here, sob, bad woman, bad woman! I don't want to go with you, I want my brother to hold me."
