Revenge is best served cold

My voice was laced with helplessness, and when Eric heard it, he quickly understood what was going on. "I'll go in with you."

I shook my head. "It's fine. I'll be out soon."

Eric didn't insist, but his gaze remained fixed on me as if he was afraid of missing any slight change in my expression.

After a long silence, he said again, "Then I'll wait for you outside."

"And I'll wait too," Levi chimed in, raising his hand. "We'll both wait by the door."

I nodded, not refusing their offer.

At the villa's entrance, I got out of the car and asked them to wait in the vehicle.

As soon as I pushed open the door, Jack's mocking voice echoed through the room. "You're finally back. I thought you didn't even consider this place home."

The moment the words left his mouth, Mom shot him a reproachful glance. "What are you saying? She's your sister."

I walked over to Mom, linked my arm with hers, and sat down. "Where's Elsa?"

At the mention of Elsa's name, Jack shot up from his seat like a bolt of lightning and pointed his finger at me with a fierce expression.

He snapped, "How dare you bring up Elsa? If it weren't for you, would she be crying like that? You'd better go and apologize to her. If anything happens to her, you'll never be able to pay for it!"

I looked up, glaring at Jack, who was being played like a fool by Elsa. I couldn't contain my frustration.

Though I had no expectations of him, I couldn't truly just ignore him.

If something happened to him, it would destroy Mom and Dad. I would rather not have this brother, but I still wanted my parents to enjoy their later years.

"Wasn't it you who told me to come back and apologize? Why can't I mention it now? If you say I can't bring it up, then I'll leave right now."

Jack immediately fell silent, his neck stiff as he glared at me.

"Since that's the case, you'd better apologize to Elsa. She's been crying non-stop and has locked herself in her room. If her depression really relapses, it's all on you!"

I scoffed and looked up at Elsa's room. Raising my voice, I said, "Hasn't she told you the reason? Just because she's crying, you think it's all my fault?"

I raised my voice even more. "Elsa, aren't you going to come out and say something?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Elsa's door unlocked, and she walked out with red eyes. She did look like she had been crying, but to say she had been crying the whole time after coming back was a bit of an exaggeration. Only someone as clueless as Jack would believe that.

"Jane, please don't blame Jack. He just cares too much about me." Elsa walked over and stood next to Jack. With her furrowed brows, she looked utterly wronged.

She turned to look at Jack, her voice choking. "Jack, Jane didn't bully me. It's my fault. I brought shame to the family."

As she said this, she started crying again. Her pitiful appearance had Jack feeling sorry for her.

He quickly pulled Elsa into his arms and patted her back gently. "You've done great. You made it to the banquet on your own. You're so much better than someone who only got in through connections."

Jack shot me a hateful glance, but his eyes softened when he looked at Elsa. "You're so strong, Elsa. If it weren't for her, no one would have been able to treat you this way. Come on, say it. I've got your back."

I watched Elsa with a calm smile, stepping forward. "Elsa, what else can you do besides getting Jack, that fool, to speak up for you? Don't think that just because you cry and throw a tantrum, you can manipulate me. Jack might be clueless, but I'm not."