When Limone heard the words "family," she could only feel a profound sense of absurdity.

She’d thought the same thing in her past life.

Back then, right before the final championship, she’d been replaced by Sophie.

Family? What kind of family does that?

Limone’s response was resolute. “I’m not joining the team. I want to focus on studying, preparing for my exams.”

Sixon’s tone dripped with mockery. “Oh, really? But weren’t you the one begging me to teach you how to play? Trailing after me at night to train together, swearing you’d be an official member? Funny how back then you never mentioned being so committed to school.”

Something tugged painfully at Limone’s heart.

The only reason she’d followed Sixon into gaming was to build a better connection with him, to find some common ground. As for now, that was no longer necessary.

“It’s because gaming distracted me from studying,” she answered. “My grades dropped on the last monthly exams, so I’ve decided to stop wasting time on it.”

Sixon had no comeback for that. “Fine. Just don’t regret it later! When the games start and everyone sees nothing but Sophie on the stage, they’ll think she’s the real Lane family member.”

If Limone wanted to be this ungrateful, so be it. He didn’t care either.

“That’s fine by me.”

And with that, Limone didn’t bother continuing the conversation. She turned and left the dining room.

Back in her room, she steadied herself, letting the tension melt away. Opening her textbooks, she focused on the material she’d neglected before, determined to make up for lost time.

*****

The next day after school.

As Limone and Sophie left the school gates, the driver waited by the curb, the sleek Lane car ready to whisk them away.

Standing by the car, Sophie’s expression brimmed with pretense. “Oh, by the way, I’m heading to the training camp today. Driver Uncle needs to drop me off first, so it seems we’re not going the same way.”

The driver’s face was impassive. “Miss Sophie, I’ve received a call from Master Sixon. He instructed me to take you there without delay.”

Limone barely blinked. “I’ll grab a taxi home.”

Sophie hopped into the car, her face radiant with satisfaction. “Limone, I’ll talk to Sixon later, try to convince him for you.”

Without a word, Limone turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Sophie with nothing but the sight of her retreating back.

Watching her leave, Sophie’s smile faltered as bitterness crept into her eyes. Limone, just you wait. One day, I’ll take everything from you. Everything you owe me.

Standing idly at the street corner, Limone felt an unfamiliar reluctance to return to the Lane family’s house. Maybe she’d find a study spot somewhere nearby instead.

“Hey, kid. School’s out—why are you wandering around here?”

Startled, Limone turned to see a strikingly handsome man. For a moment, she froze, and then recognition clicked when their eyes met. It was him.

The sharp-tongued school doctor.

Out of his usual mask and white coat, sporting a more casual outfit, he was almost unrecognizable.

Charles stood before her, his voice cutting through her thoughts. “I asked you a question.”

“I don’t want to go home yet. I’m looking for a study room where I can do my homework,” she replied evenly.

“Follow me.”

Limone hesitated, but something about him compelled her. She trailed behind as he led her back to the school’s infirmary.

Standing at the doorway, she frowned. “Why are we here? I’m not sick.”

Charles gestured at the desk. “It’s quieter and safer here than any study room.”

The logic was sound enough. Limone set her bag down. “Thanks for letting me stay.”

Pulling out her textbooks, she quickly immersed herself in her assignments. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Charles glancing at her before stepping into the consultation room, closing the door behind him.

By the time Limone resurfaced from her focus, it was later than she realized. Stifling a yawn, her gaze landed on a subtle silver nameplate resting on the desk. There was a photo on it—Charles’ photo.

So that was his name.

“Done staring yet?”

The sudden voice made her jump, heat rushing to her face as she fumbled to set the nameplate down. “I wasn’t snooping. I just… noticed it.”

“Homework finished?”

She nodded. “Some of it. The questions I didn’t understand, I left blank. I’ll ask my teacher tomorrow.”

Charles came over and casually picked up her workbook. “These were too difficult for you?”

His words stung slightly, and she dropped her gaze back to her textbook. “I used to be… careless. Other things got in the way of my studies.”

“Listen up. I’m only explaining this once.”

He grabbed a pen and began scrawling solutions across a scrap of paper, breaking down concepts as he spoke.

Limone could only stare, her emotions churning in unexpected ways.

Because of Sophie, she’d been alone for so long. No friends. Even her teachers were lukewarm at best.

No one had ever offered to help her—not like this.

Charles lowered his gaze, his expression cool and detached. “With your attention span, I’m surprised you hear anything in class at all.”

Limone jolted, quickly pulling herself back into focus. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’ll pay attention.”

Seeing her obedient demeanor, a flicker of something crossed Charles’s throat—some unspoken restraint—but he kept it under control and continued explaining.

By evening, the warm glow of the lamplight wrapped itself around the space between them.

Limone sat at the desk, while Charles stood beside her, one hand braced against its edge as he walked her through the problem-solving steps.

“Is your mind just a straight line? Can’t you think sideways? This uses the exact same method as the last problem.”

“Couldn’t you see this trap for what it was? It’s so obvious. Are your eyes good for anything, or just decoration?”

“Have you ever had your IQ tested? I’m genuinely curious to know if it’s up to par. Do it again, and do it right this time.”

His tone was flat, inexorable, without the smallest tremor of emotion. And yet, when he criticized, his words hit sharp and merciless, zeroing in on every weakness.

Good thing Limone already knew him for the sharp-tongued school doctor he was. Otherwise, she might’ve cracked long before now.

In the end, she stuck it out.

She gathered up the homework she had finally completed. “Thank you, Dr. Ji. You’re amazing—you even remember all this stuff.”

Charles twirled the pen in his fingers, his gaze scrutinizing her. “Didn’t your family ever hire a tutor?”

Limone pressed her lips together, her voice noticeably quieter. “I don’t want to owe them.”

Tutors were expensive, and she had no money of her own. Asking the Lane family for help—no, that wasn’t something she was willing to do.

Charles studied her pale profile, the downturned eyelashes veiling whatever emotion flickered beneath.

Carefully, she looked up. “Dr. Ji... if I don’t understand something in the future, can I come ask you?”

He turned his head slightly, his voice stumbling over a fleeting strain of awkwardness. “Not if I’m busy.”

Even rejected, Limone didn’t seem upset. She neatly packed her bag with quiet diligence.

Charles rapped his knuckles against the desk, evidently reconsidering. Without glancing her way, he added, “Depends on my mood.”

A smile broke across her face. “Thank you, Dr. Ji—no, make that Master Ji.”

She didn’t linger to gauge his reaction, darting off with her bag slung over her shoulder before he could respond.

Charles half-squinted after her retreating form, the barest curve of a lazy smile tugging at his lips. Fine—if tutoring her passed the time, so be it.

——

By the time Limone returned home, the sky had gone dark.

The butler strode forward to greet her. “Young Master and Miss Sophie are dining out with friends tonight; they won’t be coming back for dinner.”

“Okay,” she murmured.

She headed to the dining room, sitting alone for once to enjoy the rare serenity of eating in peace.

Glancing at her phone, she wasn’t surprised to find Sophie’s latest social media post: Dinner with my brothers! It was accompanied by a picture of the whole group. Her brothers all wore indulgent smiles for the camera, doting warmth unmistakable.

Limone only looked for a second before exiting the app and turning her attention back to her meal.

The next morning, she headed to the dining room for breakfast.

Her brothers hadn’t shown up yet; Sophie was the only other person at the table.

Sophie, bright and smug, broke the silence first. “I made so much progress yesterday during team practice. My skills are really improving!”

Limone sat down without a word, her face unreadable as she focused on her plate. She offered no response.

Sophie, in her good mood, let it slide. No need to mind Limone’s frosty demeanor. At least on the surface, Limone always acted composed—but inside, she had to be stewing with frustration, right?

Three bites later, Limone finished her breakfast and walked out without so much as a glance back.

But as she stepped into the car, sitting only half-patiently, the driver hesitated nearby. “Miss Sophie hasn’t come out yet. You’ll need to wait for her.”

She waited. Ten minutes passed, and Sophie still had yet to appear.

Limone glanced irritably at her watch, her temper finally fraying. “If she doesn’t come out soon, we’re going to be late.”

Every part of Lane family life was chafing against her now.

Enough. She decided she wasn’t going to wait any longer. Grabbing the door handle, she swung it open, just as her fourth brother Norton emerged from the house.

“Would it kill you to wait a little longer for Sophie?” Norton’s voice carried an edge, his words deliberate. “Her father saved your life once—he didn’t just abandon you and leave you for dead. Yet here you are, unwilling to show her even this much patience. Honestly, Limone, what’s wrong with you?”

Limone’s hand tightened around the door handle, her knuckles paling under the strain.