Chapter 3 Bringing Home a Jinx
Wyatt and Penny were stunned.
“Evie, what did you just say? Your dad can stand again?”
“Mm. We can try, but I can’t promise anything.”
“You know medicine?”
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“A little. I studied under a master for a while. From now on, let me take care of Dad’s legs.”
For Wyatt and Penny, it was like a miracle. They hadn’t just found their birth daughter–she also knew medicine. To them, she was a treasure.
That evening, Penny was overjoyed. To celebrate Evelyn’s return, she busied herself in the kitchen, determined to make a good meal.
“Mom! Mom! I heard my real sister came home—is it true?” A loud voice boomed as a man barged in noisily.
Penny came out of the kitchen and shot him a glare. “Keep your voice down. Don’t scare your sister. She just got here.”
“Where’s my sister? Where’s she?” His eyes swept the room. The moment he spotted Evelyn on the couch, he rushed forward and scooped her up.
“Ah! My real sister’s finally back! I’m so happy!” The man was ecstatic, hugging Evelyn tightly and patting her back again and again.
Evelyn let out two soft coughs. Thankfully, her body was sturdy enough. Otherwise, with how hard he was thumping her, she might have fallen apart.
Penny quickly pulled him back. “Be careful! Your sister is delicate, not rough and tumble like you!”
Then she glanced at Evelyn with an apologetic smile. “Evie, this is your big brother, Cosmo. He’s a big, brainless oaf–don’t mind him.”
“Cosmo.” Evelyn greeted him reluctantly.
He really was a rough sort. At six feet tall, he was burly, a little overweight, and sun–darkened.
Looking at her parents‘ features, they weren’t bad at all. Penny in particular was beautiful,
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though hard work had aged her quickly. But Cosmo had somehow avoided every good gene and inherited only their flaws.
If not for his eyes resembling Penny’s, Evelyn would’ve doubted he was even part of the Gulliver family.
“Don’t worry, Evic. If anyone dares bully you, just tell me. I’ve got the strength–I’ll beat them all away for you!” Cosmo declared proudly, flexing his muscles.
Evelyn fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
Still, as crude as he was, she felt touched. He was simple, but at least he was genuine. That was far better than her hypocritical Cirrus brothers.
Not long after, her other older siblings came home too.
Victor Gulliver looked refined, well–dressed, and carried himself well. Evelyn heard from Penny that Victor worked at a video game company. Charlotte Gulliver, on the other hand, delivered food for DoorDash, still in her uniform when she walked in.
“Evelyn, this is my gift to you. I hope you’ll like it,” Victor said carefully, almost nervously, as if afraid she wouldn’t accept it.
“Thank you, Vic.” Evelyn took the gift and unwrapped it. Inside was a small rabbit figurine for her desk–adorably crafted.
“I’m sorry, Evelyn. I didn’t think ahead like Vic and buy you something. I just got off work, all sweaty from deliveries. Don’t hold it against me,” Charlotte said, sounding a little embarrassed.
“It’s fine,” Evelyn replied lightly.
It was her first day with them, and they still felt like strangers. But they were honest, kind- hearted people–that much she could tell.
“Come on, everyone, wash your hands and eat! Tonight we’re celebrating Evie’s return!” Penny called out cheerfully, laying dish after dish on the table.
Wyatt rolled out in his wheelchair to join them for dinner. Normally, he ate in bed, but that night was different.
Cosmo dropped a rib into Evelyn’s plate. “Evie, cat some ribs. They’re my favorite!”
Victor followed, adding meatloaf. “Evelyn, try Mom’s meatloaf. It’s the best!”
Charlotte placed a piece of fish on her plate. “Evelyn, this fish is really fresh. You’ll love it.”
Before long, Evelyn’s plate was piled high. Though she had lived comfortably in the Cirrus
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family, no one had ever piled food into her plate like this.
“Thank you,” Evelyn murmured, a faint warmth flickering in her chest.
“It’s a pity Simon isn’t here. He boards at school, so he doesn’t come home often. And today’s Monday. Otherwise, he’d get to see his sister too,” Penny added.
After dinner, Evelyn wanted to help clear the table, but Charlotte and the boys stopped her, insisting she go and rest.
Penny had prepared a room for her. It wasn’t large, but it felt cozy and warm. Standing by the window, Evelyn pulled out her phone and made a call.
“Hey, boss. What can I do for you?”
“From this moment on, cut off all cooperation with Cirrus Inc.”
“Got it! I’m glad you finally came around, Boss. For years, we’ve been bleeding money just to support the Cirruses. D*mn, Marshall, that old man treated us like his personal cash cows, always throwing his weight around. Who the hell do they think they are…”
After hanging up, Evelyn thought of the dismemberment case, and hatred surged in her chest. She had secretly done so much for the Cirruses, only for them to drug her and hack her into pieces. Not even a beast would do that.
Regardless, she had the power to elevate them, and she had the power to crush them too.
Meanwhile, Alba had smoothly returned to the Cirrus Residence.
The grand mansion stunned her. Plush cashmere carpets, sparkling crystal chandeliers- everything dazzled her eyes. It felt like stepping into heaven itself, too dreamy to be real.
Avril led her on a tour. “Alba, this is your room. Your father and I had it decorated just for you- a suite fit for a princess. Do you like it?”
Alba was dumbstruck. “Mom, this is beautiful! One room is bigger than my entire old house!” It was like her world had cracked wide open.
“And these clothes, all prepared for you.” Henry directed servants to carry in boxes of newly
ordered outfits.
Alba’s heart soared at the sight of the luxurious wardrobe. So, it was true–her destiny was blessed.
“Hurry and change into something new. You don’t need those old clothes anymore,” Avril
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urged.
:
Alba nodded, chose a dress, and hurried off to her room.
At that moment, Marshall received a phone call.
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“What did you just say? Titan Group is terminating cooperation with us?! Impossible! They’ve always been like a lapdog, begging to work with Cirrus Inc. How could they suddenly pull out? You must be mistaken!”
Then, his assistant said something.
“You’re not mistaken? Then why?”
The assistant stammered for a long time without answering.
“Why are you hesitating? Just tell me already! What’s the reason for stopping cooperation?” Marshall’s temper flared.
Finally, the assistant blurted, “They said… you’re an idiot.”
Marshall fell silent, at a loss for words, for a second before hurling his phone across the room.
“Honey, what happened?” Avril asked.
“Titan Group cut ties with us! Those b*stards were groveling to cooperate yesterday, and today they turn their backs like we’re nothing!”
“How could this happen?” Avril was just as shocked.
Titan Group was a powerhouse, far beyond Cirrus Inc.’s level.
Years ago, Cirrus Inc. had been a small company, not even qualified to go public. But five years back, Titan Group had suddenly agreed to partner with them, pouring in funding and boosting Cirrus into the ranks of Crownpoint’s top corporations.
That was how the Cirrus family had risen to prominence. Their current status was entirely built on Titan Group’s support.
“And now, the very day we bring Alba home, Titan Group pulls out… Could this be a bad omen?” Marshall began to wonder if Alba was a jinx.
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