Chapter 32:You shouldn't be blaming me for this… blame Brian

That was the last straw for Victoria. She turned and ran, sobbing loudly as her footsteps echoed up the stairs.

"Victoria! Victoria!" they all called, except Irene, who continued eating calmly.

Rosalyn glared at her. "Do you see your good daughter? Ever since she came, this house knows no happiness… is this what you promised me?" she said to Roland.

"Guys, please don't lie on me," Irene said, still picking food onto her plate, unfazed.

Roland sat down heavily, his face sinking into his hands as if questioning every decision he had ever made.

"We're family, right?" Irene said with a crooked smile. "Maybe? But the problem here is Brian, not me. He wooed me—I didn't chase him."

"Because you seduced him," Daniel snapped.

"Maybe. I was able to because I got the power. Your baby sister? She couldn't do it in years."

"Talking to you is a waste of time," Daniel said, shaking his head.

"Waste it on me," Irene replied.

"What?" Daniel asked, thrown.

"The time," she said simply, smirking.

"Nonsense." Daniel walked away.

Rosalyn continued staring holes into Irene before standing and storming off.

"Irene," Roland said quietly.

"That's my name," she responded without looking up.

He sighed deeply, then stood and followed the others.

Victor hesitated, staring at the remnants of food on his plate.

"Are you still in the mood to eat?" he asked quietly.

"We don't want to waste food," Irene replied. "Won't you go?"

"Go where?" Victor asked.

"To Victoria?"

Victor hesitated again, chewing slowly.

"I'm okay… You have to go to her. Don't make her hate you. You're her brother before mine," Irene said with a rare seriousness in her voice.

Victor blinked, surprised. "Wow, I can't believe you're this sensible."

"Will you leave before I change my mind?"

"Thank you," Victor said and left the table.

Irene sat back, exhaled slowly, then began humming quietly. "I'm so lone… lone… lonely," she sang mockingly.

---

Victoria's Room

"Victoria, can you calm down?" Daniel said gently. "They just started dating… When he sees Irene for who she is, he'll realize he lost a gem—he lost you."

"Baby… even if Brian's not the one, there are so many men who would want you," Rosalyn said, stroking her daughter's hair.

"But I want Brian…" Victoria sobbed. "I've loved him for so long, and she knows. She did it to hurt me."

"Victoria," Roland spoke softly, kneeling beside her. "If Brian really loved you, would Irene be able to take him away?"

Victoria looked at him, her jaw clenched. She wanted to scream, to say everything she was holding back… but instead, she threw a pillow at the wall and yelled, "I know you're going to take your daughter's side!"

"Can you shut it?" Victor's voice was cold. "For years, you've been after Brian. Did he even notice you? Did he ever give you a chance? No. So why are you crying over someone who doesn't care about you? Even if you call him right now, he'll still ignore you."

"Enough, Victor!" Daniel snapped. "If you don't know what to say, then shut your crap!"

"Isn't it better to tell her the truth? She's ruining herself for someone who doesn't care if she exists."

"Victor, why are you taking some stranger's side instead of your sister? Can't you see she's hurt?" Rosalyn said, tears in her eyes.

"First—just as Victoria is my sister, Irene is also my sister. If Brian wanted Victoria, I'd support her. But we all know he doesn't."

"Get out!" Victoria screamed. "I said get out!"

Victor left without another word.

---

Back downstairs…

"You're still eating…?" Victor asked, stunned.

"So?" Irene replied, still chewing.

"Were you thrown out?"

"What do you expect?" he muttered, sitting down beside her.

Irene looked at her phone, then up at Victor. She gave a small, almost sincere smile. "Sorry. I can feel your pain."

She stood, leaving without another word.

"Are you leaving me too?" he called after her.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Not yet…" he answered, confused.

"Well, I have a boyfriend. Bye." She smiled.

Victor chuckled faintly, shaking his head.

---

The Black's Company

"I'm here, Brian," Irene said, her voice smooth as she spoke into the phone, standing inside the expansive, modern lobby of The Black's Company.

"Just wait a bit. Someone will come pick you," Brian replied.

"Alright, waiting..." she hung up, casually sliding her phone into her designer bag.

The lobby buzzed quietly with activity—workers in tailored suits passed by, eyes flicking toward her as she stood confidently near the reception. Her heels clicked slightly as she shifted weight, the light glinting off her tiny gold anklet.

This wasn't her first time here, and definitely not her last.

Soon enough, Julius approached, clearly trying not to make eye contact too long.

"Hi Julius... do you miss me?" Irene teased, a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"No ma'am…" he replied, eyes straight ahead.

"Really?" she asked, raising a brow, the teasing amusement evident on her face.

"Is this woman the weapon fashioned against me?" Julius internally groaned before muttering, "Ma'am, I'm here to pick you up. Mr. Black is waiting."

"Really Mr. White?" Irene joked, lips twitching in mischief.

"What?"

"Nothing. Let's go…" she said, gliding forward like she owned the building.

---

Brian's Office

Knock! Knock!

"Come in…" Brian said from inside.

Irene pushed the door open with ease, stepping in like a breeze. "Do you miss me?" she said instantly, flashing a charming smile that softened the edges of her face.

Brian smiled, a knowing warmth in his eyes, and silently gestured for Julius to leave.

Irene pouted slightly and sank into the chair, her expression playful yet slightly dramatic.

"What's wrong?" Brian asked, leaning back.

"Nothing," she replied coolly, eyes flicking away with exaggerated innocence.

Brian smiled again, this time moving to sit beside her. "So… how was home?"

"Home is fine. Do you want to hear a gist?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Okay..." he nodded,and came to sit beside her. Not that he's interested but because she's happy to say it.

Irene smiled and reached for his hand. "I didn't know you're a type that likes gossip..." she laughed lightly.

"You wanted to gist with me… I was just trying to listen," Brian explained with a small smile.

"Mmm… home was on fire. Everybody kept blaming me for snatching you from her, that I seduced you and stuff… then I was like I didn't do it… I was crying, 'you shouldn't be blaming me for this… blame Brian, he is the cause of all this…'" she mimicked herself, then looked at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Everything you said was believable until the part of you crying..." Brian said, grinning.

"Ask Victor… I was crying… he was the one,

begging me not to cry."

Brian gave her a skeptical look. "Okay."

"You don't believe me?" Irene tilted her head slightly, frowning playfully.

"I do."

"You don't look like you do," she pouted again, this time with more emphasis.

Brian leaned in and pecked her lips. "Okay, I do."

"That was too fast…" she teased, her voice low as she leaned in again, gesturing to her lips.

"If your family is hard on you, I can call them and explain to them that I was the one who likes you and wants to be with you....."

"No need," Irene replied immediately, brushing the thought aside with a flick of her hand.

"Are you sure?" he asked, a little concern in his eyes.

"Of course. Are you busy?" she asked, voice shifting to a softer, flirtier tone.

"Hmm…" he hummed. "Do you want anything?"

"Nope. Then I will be on my way," she said as she gracefully stood up, adjusting her outfit with casual flair.

"Why?" he asked, clearly caught off guard.

"You don't want me to leave?" she teased, glancing over her shoulder.

"You just got here and you're leaving…"

"You said you're busy… and I don't want to be a girlfriend who disturbs her man," she said with a smirk.

"Just wait for me… I will be through soon," he assured, reaching slightly toward her.

"You don't want to be separated from me," she said, her voice velvety and flirtatious.

"Stop making yourself happy," Brian muttered, chuckling.

"It's good to make oneself happy," she replied with a wink.

The door opened again.

"Hello Irene."

"Hi handsome," Irene replied smoothly without even turning.

"Can you knock before coming in?" Brian asked, his tone flat.

"My bad… I will try now that you have a girlfriend. Irene, I heard you're here, so I came to invite you."

"Where?" Irene asked, raising a curious brow.

"One of my friends is opening a clothing store… so I thought of taking you along because it's a female clothing brand."

"Are you buying…?" Irene asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Buying what?" Richard blinked.

"I can't just follow you without you buying me nothing."

"Of course… you're my sister-in-law… I will buy you as much as you want."

"When are we going?" she said, voice rising in excitement.

"Today." Richard said

"Today?" Irene asked

"Yes. Right now."

"Oh…" she glanced at Brian, giving him a little playful shrug. "Then let's go." She stood up and held Richard's hand.

"Wait, I thought you were waiting for me?" Brian asked, surprised.

"I was… but I don't want you to rush your work for me… so… I'm going to go with him and erm… see you tomorrow," Irene said sweetly while Richard struggled to contain his laughter.

"Stop laughing and let's go," Irene said with mock annoyance.

"Okay ma'am." Irene turned back to Brian and gave him a slow, confident kiss on the lips. "See you later," she said, waving as she walked off.

"Bye bro…" Richard added between laughs.