Woe Is Me

Both had assumed it was the housemaid coming to attend to them.

Engrossed in their conversation—and because Cora seldom entered Eason's room unannounced—the situation turned awkward in an instant.

The moment Eason spotted Cora, he shot to his feet, jabbing a finger at Fyren. "Fyren! What the hell kind of trash are you spouting? That's my sister—my most respected, admired, adored, and deeply loved... my big sister!"

Fyren's stomach dropped.

[Why is she home? Didn't Eason say she hardly ever comes back?]

[How much did she hear? That look on her face—oh god, she heard everything, didn't she?]

Shit. I'm dead.

He forced a laugh, rubbing his neck. "Uh, right—sorry about that. Must've... had too much to drink."

"Sis, listen, Fyren isn't usually—" Eason began, stepping between them.

"Out."

"Got it." Eason bolted like a whipped dog, not a shred of loyalty left in his retreat.

Left alone under Cora's searing gaze, Fyren swallowed hard.

"Look, I had a few drinks, got careless with my words. I'm sorry."

Cora's eyes burned with a mix of fury, humiliation, and hurt. When she spoke, her voice wavered. "After we broke up, you told people I acted like a slut in bed. And now you say these things to my brother. What was I to you, Fyren? Just a joke?"

Fyren wanted to punch himself.

Men were like that sometimes—shooting the breeze about girls with their buddies. Who had the best curves, who was wild in bed... It didn't always mean they were rotten. Well, except for Fyren and Eason. Their morals had never been high to begin with.

This kind of locker-room talk was normal for them—just crude banter, no harm meant. But when the wrong ears heard it, especially the woman being discussed?

It wasn't just offensive. It was a betrayal.

And for someone like Cora—earnest, trusting—hearing her first love reduce her to this? Unforgivable.

A tear slid down her cheek. Fyren's gut twisted. "It was just stupid talk. I never badmouthed you to everyone."

"Then what am I?" Cora whispered. "Just another toy you played with? Stripped down and passed around in stories like—like some conquest?"

"I've never played with one either!" Fyren said. "I really didn't play with it or say anything about it. Someone must have been spreading rumors. With our kind of status, you know how it is—once gossip starts in school, it spreads everywhere. How much of it is actually true?"

"Is it cool to go around bragging to people that you fucked the Chen family's eldest miss, Cora? Proud of yourself? Very honorable?"

"Stop it, please. I was wrong."

Cora pulled out her phone and dialed.

"You're going to call the police again, aren't you?"

"Hey, Hogan, didn't you say you wanted to take me to dinner? I'm free today."

Fyren's eyes widened instantly.

Hogan!

Grandma Bear! One of the villains!

He wooed Cora, drugged her at dinner, and was about to assault her when Otto kicked him in the crotch. And then…

Oh no!

This plotline was triggered early because of me!

The problem is, Otto took the day off today—he's not working, sis!

If you go to dinner with Hogan, it's like a little lamb willingly walking into the wolf's den!

Fyren immediately said, "Cora, you can't associate with Hogan, much less eat with him."

"Why? What gives you the right to care so much about what I do?"

"No, Hogan isn't a good person. He's hiding his true nature!"

"Is there anyone worse than you? Is there anyone worse than you?"

Fyren was speechless.

"Anyway… even if you want to eat with him, can't you make it tomorrow? I don't care what you do with him then."

"I'll eat with whoever I want, whenever I want. Let me tell you, I've been waiting all these years—waiting!"

Cora shouted, "I thought you'd change! I thought when you finally got what you wanted, you'd remember what we had as kids. But I never expected that in your heart, I'd be so frivolous, so lowly, so worthless!"

"No, no, you're priceless, Cora! I was wrong—you can't dine with Hogan, he's really bad news!"

Cora turned to leave, but Fyren grabbed her arm. "Cora, I'm begging you. A thousand wrongs are my fault—just give me a chance!"

Cora looked at Fyren and smiled coldly. "You said the same thing back then. It's ridiculous—you actually think you can keep lying with the same line, and I'll keep believing it. Fyren, I'm not that little girl anymore, the one who was fooled by your sweet talk. Why don't you go find your Eliza and follow her around like a pathetic lickspittle?"

Cora strode out the door, Fyren chasing after her, desperate to explain.

Cora didn't want to hear another word, her feet moving swiftly.

Fyren grew frantic and pulled her back, "Cora! I won't let you go!"

By now, the two had reached the living room, where Papa Chen and Mama Chen sat holding a fruit plate, watching TV.

Eason was also there, sprawled on the sofa, watching them nervously.

Unaware of the changed surroundings, Fyren blurted out, "I don't care about anything else, but you can't have dinner with Hogan—at least not today!"

"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?"

"Just because I—just because I'm nothing! I'll be unreasonable today! What about it?"

Papa Chen chewed slowly, picked up the remote, and muted the TV. The whole family watched in silence from the couch.

Cora sneered, "Fyren, get this straight! Our Chen family isn't some pushover that has to tolerate you for the sake of business interests. If you want to talk to me, Cora, you'd better think carefully!"

The two continued arguing.

Papa Chen leaned toward Eason and whispered, "What's going on?"

Eason quickly lied, "Lovers' quarrel. He's chasing my sister, but she's ignoring him and insists on going to dinner with another man."

Papa Chen nodded.

Mama Chen asked, "Who's Hogan?"

"That Hogan," Eason said, "the one we fought at school."

Mama Chen frowned. "Hasn't Fyren been pursuing Eliza? Isn't he getting engaged next month? Why is he bothering our Cora again?"

Eason explained, "You never know who someone's true favorite is until the last moment! Just watch—it's more entertaining than a drama."

Cora declared, "I'm having dinner with Hogan today, and if it goes well, I'll fall for him. We'll get a room tonight, get engaged next week if I want, and even schedule the wedding before yours with Eliza!"

Fyren was now fully provoked. "Fine! You'd better mean it! Just don't come crying to me when Hogan betrays you!"

"Even if I'm cheated out of money and dignity, I'd rather be fooled by Hogan than listen to another word from you! The biggest regret of my life is ever knowing you!"

"Cora, I'll say this one last time—what you do is your choice. I don't care who you're with—I couldn't care less!"

"Then why are you yelling at me?"

"Just not Hogan!"

"Well, I've set my sights on him. What's it to you?"

"Tomorrow! You can get a room tomorrow, get engaged tomorrow, pick out a wedding dress tomorrow - just stay home today!"

"I can't! When you dumped me back then, you lost any right to tell me what to do!"

"You were the one who dumped me!" Fyren shouted.

"Why would I dump you? Are you really in any position to say that?"

Fyren's mouth opened halfway. "I was at fault back then, but now I need to make it clear - you can't go to Hogan's dinner party!"

As Fyren turned around, he saw three people on the sofa staring directly at him.

His brain instantly cooled down, and he bowed obediently. "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie."

Papa Chen said, "Aigoo, Fyren is here? Have a seat and chat with us."

Mama Chen added, "Fyren, you haven't visited in years! Sit down and have some fruit."

"Well, these past years... haven't been the best. I was foolish and hurt your feelings. I've been feeling guilty about it. Today I was just... in a bad mood and wanted to talk with Eason..."

Fyren's head was spinning. He hadn't realized he'd been arguing with Cora right in front of her parents. Now he rambled awkwardly, trying to smooth things over.

Eason reminded him, "Dude, my sister's getting away!"

Fyren looked back - Cora was already gone.

He rushed out after her, calling back, "Goodbye, Uncle and Auntie!"

Mama Chen craned her neck and shouted, "Come visit again sometime!"

"I will!"

Papa Chen looked confused. "What was that about?"

"Aiya, let the young people handle their own affairs. Boys and girls this age are always caught up in love and hate."

"But Fyren is about to get engaged!"

"I was all set to get engaged back then too, weren't you the one who swept in and took me?"

Papa Chen muttered discontentedly, "He's about to get engaged, and still chasing after my daughter..."

Mama Chen urged, "TV, turn the volume back up."

...

Fyren chased out the door, but Cora had already disappeared.

Leaving Zaring behind, he drove around searching, but Crystalpeak City was too vast - how could he possibly find her?

In desperation, he called Eliza.

Eliza sat alone on her bed, hugging her knees, upset and distressed.

The situation had completely changed.

Her father had given her an ultimatum; he was a man of his word, and could remove her as president at any moment.

And Fyren, who had once been her devoted follower, suddenly turned cold and ruthless, looking at her as if she were some kind of disaster, keeping his distance as much as possible.

Is this world going to abandon me too?

Just then, Fyren's call came through. When Eliza saw his name flash on the screen, a spark of hope ignited inside her.

She was surprised at how quickly her emotions shifted.

Just moments ago, she had been drowning in negativity and sorrow.

But seeing his call, she suddenly felt a surge of happiness, her mind racing with possibilities:

Why is he calling me? What does he want?

Did he change his mind? Does he want to pursue me again? Hmph, as if I'd care!

What if he asks me out? What should I wear?

Wait—what should I even say to him?

Eliza abruptly sat up, crossing her legs on the bed. She smoothed her hair, adjusted her clothes, cleared her throat, and took a deep breath, pressing a hand to her chest to steady herself.

Only then did she carefully answer the call, her voice trembling slightly despite her efforts to sound composed:

"Hello... what is it?"

"Eliza, are your people still on standby? Is Otto back yet?"

Fyren sounded frantic.

"They withdrew a long time ago."

"Send someone immediately—we have to find Otto!"

"Why? What for?" Eliza's mood instantly crashed back down.

So he wasn't looking for me. Or trying to win me back.

Fyren rushed on: "It's urgent—a thousand times urgent! I fought with Cora, and now she's gone out drinking with Hogan! I'm worried about her. We need to find Otto—only he can track her down and bring her back to me—"

Eliza exploded with fury: "Fyren! Go to hell!"

She slammed the phone down.