Chapter 2

When I arrived, Richard was already there. He gripped Chloe's arm, barking an order, "Apologize to your sister right now!"

Lingling clutched Richard's sleeve with a wronged expression, pleading on Chloe's behalf, "Dad, it's fine, really. I shouldn't have walked into Chloe's room without permission. I just wanted to say goodnight to her."

I strolled in gracefully. "Chloe goes to sleep at nine, and right now it's midnight. According to basic common sense, shouldn't a normal person knock on the door, make sure the person is awake, and get permission before barging in?"

Lingling pressed her lips tightly together, tears pooling in her wide eyes.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not bullying you. After all, the Sue family is very different from the stray mutts you're used to hanging around. I'll teach you these manners slowly over time." I stepped forward and grabbed Lingling's arm in a seemingly affectionate grip.

Only then did Richard release Chloe.

"Still, Lingling, you owe Chloe an apology first. She spooks easily, and you must have scared her half to death."

I looked at Richard. "Don't you agree, Dad?"

Richard glanced at Lingling, then at Chloe, finally nodding. "You really should apologize to your sister."

"I... I understand."

Lingling cast a tearful look at Richard, then whispered meekly to Chloe, "I'm sorry, sister, I..."

"Stop right there." Chloe cut her off with a wave of her hand. "I don't have a sister. If word got out, it'd ruin Dad's reputation. Save the 'sister' act and just address me as Miss Sue."

Richard's face darkened, but realizing the scandal it could cause, he turned his back on Lingling.

Tears hung on Lingling's chin, her face pale as a ghost.

"Hurry up and say it. Miss Chloe is giving you a chance," our housekeeper, Martha, interjected, shoving Lingling forward from behind.

Richard glanced back, surprisingly saying nothing.

"Miss Sue, I'm sorry. I won't come into your room without asking ever again."

A smirk played on Chloe's lips. "That's more like it. You've got plenty of Sue family etiquette left to learn."

Seeing the matter settled, Richard turned around, flashing an ingratiating smile at us. "Harper, isn't the Chow family hosting a gala in a few days? Take your sister along so she can see the world."

The Chow gala... A text message I received earlier flashed through my mind.

Chloe immediately protested, "No way, she—"

"Sure," I chimed in smoothly.

Chloe stared at me as if I'd lost my mind.

I smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll take good care of Lingling."