When Limone appeared, all heads turned toward her.

Under the weight of everyone's gaze, Limone's face remained impassive.

She wore a plain short-sleeved top, but atop her head sat an ornate gold phoenix crown. An emerald necklace gleamed at her throat, her wrists adorned with both jade and gold bangles. On her finger, a massive pink diamond ring caught the light.

A wave of laughter rippled through the room.

"Limone looks so tacky, showing off all her jewelry at once. Like some new-money wannabe."

"I bet she’s wearing all that expensive stuff on purpose, just to flaunt and make Sophie feel inferior."

Unfazed, Limone strutted over to Sophie. Her voice was calm, deliberate. "Congratulations. Today, you’ve officially become a member of the Lane family."

In her previous life, Sophie’s induction into the Lane family had marked the beginning of Limone’s nightmare.

No matter how much she tried to please them, how diligently she played the obedient little sister, her brothers had all gravitated toward Sophie. Sutton, in particular, had once said he wished Sophie were the Lane family’s real daughter instead of her.

This time, Limone had no intention of chasing their worthless affection.

Sophie's gaze lingered on the opulence of Limone’s jewelry, envy brimming like a hidden tide beneath her composed façade. Although her jealousy seethed, her expression betrayed nothing. Instead, she hunched her shoulders slightly and spoke in a timid, almost apologetic tone: "Limone, I know you’re upset. But don’t worry—I won’t try to steal your brothers. After all, I’ll always be an outsider. You’re their true sibling. How could I possibly compare to that?"

Her words left her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a picture of heartbreak.

Limone’s lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile. What a perfect little damsel—always so pitiable, so pure.

In her previous life, it had been exactly this façade of harmlessness that had fooled Limone endlessly. She hadn’t seen through Sophie’s act until it was far too late—until the very end.

Norton’s voice broke through, rushing to comfort Sophie. "Soph, don’t cry. Who says you’re an outsider? From today on, you’re my sister—my real sister."

Sophie lowered her gaze just enough to conceal the fleeting glimmer of triumph in her eyes.

As if on cue, Sutton stepped forward, presenting a gift box. "Soph, I have something for you."

Sophie blinked, feigning astonishment. "Sutton, isn’t this supposed to be for Limone? How could I possibly accept it?"

Limone didn’t even need to look inside to know what the box contained—a limited-edition collectible. She wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

In her last life, Sutton had also taken it upon himself to offer this same gift to Sophie as part of some absurd apology on her behalf—a gesture of appeasement that had required no input from her, of course.

"Just take it," Sutton said dismissively. "It’s something she owed you."

Norton frowned, his tone sharp with reproach. "Limone, even though Soph isn’t holding a grudge about you pushing her into the water just now—and Sutton’s already given her a gift to make amends—where’s your sincerity?"

Limone inclined her head slightly, unperturbed. "You’re right. That’s why I prepared something extra meaningful as my apology gift."

One by one, she began removing her jewelry, placing each piece carefully into a tray.

"This is the antique phoenix crown Easton gave me."

"This is the emerald pendant from Sutton."

"This is the century-old ginseng from Weston."

"This is the rare pink diamond ring from Norton."

"This is the jade bracelet Quincy gifted me."

"And this is the golden trophy Sixon awarded me."

She meticulously lined up the items in the tray, each piece glittering with significance. Then she pushed it forward. "These are some of the most precious things I’ve ever received. As my apology, I hope they’ll suffice."

She’d expected Norton to call her out on this, had anticipated it, even. That’s why she’d prepared everything in advance.

Ever since Sophie had entered the picture, her brothers hadn’t given Limone anything truly meaningful. They had poured their attention, their gifts, their love into Sophie instead. What remained were relics of a time before Sophie’s arrival—shining tokens unblemished by her presence.

In the end, Limone thought, it didn’t matter; all of this would inevitably wind up back with Sophie anyway, gifted anew under the guise of some flimsy excuse. Why not preempt the farce?

Norton’s expression froze the instant his eyes landed on the items spread across the plate.

These were Limone’s most treasured possessions—the very pieces she had once protected as if they were part of her soul. How could she…? How dare she?

Sutton’s lips tightened, measuring her. "Lemon, care to explain what you're doing?"

Limone’s gaze was impassive, her voice devoid of any inflection. "Sutton, I told you. This is my apology. Norton, do you think this is enough?"

Off to the side, Sophie saw what was inside the box and stiffened, a flicker of confusion flashing across her face. So this was Limone’s newest ploy. Was she trying to backtrack into everyone’s good graces again?

Without missing a beat, Sophie spoke up, her tone light but tinged with a touch of hesitation. "Limon, these gifts… They were from your brothers. They’re too valuable. I—I can’t possibly accept them."

Norton’s voice, sharp with indignation, cut through the air. "Exactly. Those are gifts we gave to you! How could you just hand them off to someone else like this?"

Sophie faltered, her smile slipping, her teeth worrying her lower lip. She echoed softly, "That’s right, Limon. I’m just someone else—how could I ever deserve such gifts?"

Norton stiffened, realizing instantly the trap he’d walked into. "Soph, that’s not what I meant. Of course you deserve gifts—your own. I’ll pick something new for you myself. You shouldn’t have to settle for anything that’s already been given to someone else."

And just like that, Sophie’s expression brightened, as though none of the previous tension had pierced her unwavering delight. "Thank you, Norton," she murmured sweetly.

Norton’s heart softened in an instant, watching the gentle obedience of the sister he could always count on. This was how a sister should behave—grateful, understanding, so different from Limone’s cold, detached demeanor.

Sutton exhaled deeply, his frustration barely hidden. "Lemon, what exactly are you trying to pull this time?"

Was this her way of severing ties with them? He couldn’t wrap his head around it. The pieces laid out—their gifts—were items Limone had always cherished. No one else had been allowed near them, let alone Sophie. Yet here they were, now turned into tools of some hollow gesture. Was this her payback because he'd taken her collectible figure without asking to make peace with Sophie earlier? Surely, it couldn't be genuine. She wasn’t like this; she didn’t just give things away.

"Sutton," Norton said, anger hardening his voice, "she’s clearly doing this to grind her axe, as if we wouldn’t notice. Limone, when will you stop with these childish tantrums? Why can’t you show just a shred of grace? Why can’t you be more like Soph?"

Limone remained unreadable, her tone as flat as winter rain. "These gifts are worth millions. As a symbol of my apology, I simply want to know, Norton—do you think it’s enough? Or are you the one who can't bear to part with them?"

For a moment, Norton was caught off balance, her words hitting too close to the mark. "What kind of person do you take me for?" he said at last, though his voice faltered slightly.

"Good," Limone replied. "Then let everyone bear witness. These gifts now belong to Sophie, as restitution."

Sutton bristled, a flash of heat overtaking the disappointment he'd been trying to tamp down. "Lemon, stop this nonsense."

But she didn’t waver. She pressed the box into Sophie’s hands with a finality that brooked no opposition. "They’re yours now."

Including the six Lane family brothers, she thought to herself. She wanted no part of them anymore either.

Sophie stood awkwardly, the atmosphere between the siblings unmistakably charged. Holding the box, her palms prickled as though scalded. So much for the upper hand; Limone’s move had put her on the back foot completely. Did she really think this act wouldn’t alienate the brothers?

Limone stayed just long enough for everyone to know she’d had the final word, then turned to leave without awaiting a reply.

"Limone, stop right there!" Norton barked, his irritation cutting the otherwise silent room.

Yet she didn’t stop, didn't even turn her head.

Sutton let out a slow, measured breath, his brow knotted in a storm of incredulity and anger. "Lemon’s behavior just keeps getting more outrageous."

Norton crossed his arms tightly. "I swear, she’s doing this just to provoke us." His words hung in the air like static.

Beside them, Sophie bit her lip, her gaze skimming between the two men. So Limone’s gamble was working, then—she was getting under their skin. Sophie would just have to make sure this maneuver of hers didn’t go unchecked.

In her sweetest, most uncertain voice, she asked, "Sutton, Norton, have I done something wrong again? How could I possibly keep Limon’s most precious things? What should I do? The last thing I want is for all of you to be upset."

Damn Limone. Always digging pits for others to fall into.

Norton’s face hardened, his frustration clear. "She gave them to you as an apology. Keep them. Mark my words, she’ll be regretting this in three days’ time. And then…" He allowed himself an inward smirk. "Then, we’ll see what she has to say for herself."

Sutton’s tone, in contrast, was soft. "Here’s an idea, Soph. Just hold on to the box for now, for her sake. Lemon’s temper always cools after a while, you’ll see."

In the past, no matter how intense her outbursts had been, she'd always come back around. He didn’t believe this time would be any different.

Sophie smiled tenderly, her docility radiating outward like a calming balm. "I’ll take good care of them. Thank you, Sutton."

Sutton studied her, relief replacing some fraction of his frustration. Once, Limone had been just as sweet, just as placid. He allowed himself a glimmer of hope: maybe she’d find her way back to that simplicity someday. For now, he could be thankful for Sophie’s steady presence.

*****

Limone lay staring at her bedroom ceiling, her head pounding from the lingering chill of the water earlier. Closing her eyes, she let herself exhale her frustration into the familiar quiet of her room.

She had to get away—free herself from the Lane family and stand on her own two feet. Anything less would be unthinkable.

Last time, after high school, her test scores had been good enough for a top university. But one casual remark from Norton had derailed her. She’d followed Sophie to a second-rate college instead, sacrificing her ambitions to become Sophie’s loyal doormat. Whenever mistakes needed covering up, she was the fall guy. Any hint of defiance was met with threats to freeze her financial accounts, stripping her of options. She’d been born a privileged Lane daughter, only to live a life poorer in spirit and circumstance than even the scholarship students at her school.

And in the end, Sophie had stolen her meticulously researched thesis, branding Limone a plagiarist. With her reputation—and future—shattered, she’d been expelled. The nightmare of it still lingered in the corners of her memory. This time, she wouldn’t let history repeat itself.

This time, she was aiming for her dream university. Tuition and living expenses would come, if need be, from her gaming skills. She had a plan. She still remembered the strategies she’d honed in her previous life, and she was confident she could rise to the top and earn enough through tournaments.

She would be free, no matter the cost.

Later that evening, Sutton found his way to the second-floor landing outside Limone’s room. He hesitated before finally knocking. No response.

The door was locked.

"Sutton!" Sophie’s voice rang out from behind him, urgent and feigned just enough to make his stomach drop. "Sophie's running a fever—you’d better come quickly."