The Blind Boxes Were Rigged

When my biological parents bring me home, Edward Sullivan, the son they had raised in my place, strongly opposes holding a welcome-home party for me. Left with no choice, my parents have me draw lots in the form of blind boxes just to be fair. However, I draw negative responses all three times, so they postpone the ceremony by a week. Five days later, my girlfriend, Zoe Ludwig, drops by to discuss our engagement. Edward fell in love with her at first sight and immediately demanded that she marry him instead. Marriage is no trivial matter. My parents surely won't indulge him. To my surprise, they once again have me draw a blind box to keep things fair. I nervously selected a box. Once again, it contained a “No.” Believing that I had simply been unlucky, I felt frustrated and dejected. That is what I thought until I overhear someone speaking in Franich in the restroom. "Dad, thank goodness you and Mom thought of using blind boxes. If you hadn't fixed the blind boxes, I wouldn't have been able to be with Zoe!" That is when I realize that the blind boxes aren't intended to ensure fairness but are instead used as a cover for favoritism. Having lived in Franica for some time, they assume I don't understand Franich. However, my adoptive father, Howard Jordan, has long since obtained a permanent residence permit in Franica. Instead of exposing them, I quietly call Howard. Since I'm not welcome here, I'm not wasting my time on them any longer! Chapter 1 I stood by the restroom door, my fingers clutching the hem of my shirt. After a while, my father, Thomas Sullivan, walked out of the restroom with my brother, Edward Sullivan. Thomas was stunned when he saw me. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. Beside him, Edward spoke in Franich. "Don't worry, Dad. That country bumpkin doesn't know a single word of Franich." Thomas visibly relaxed. As he turned toward me, the guilt in his eyes melted into impatience. "What are you standing around here for? Hurry up and use the restroom if that's why you're here. We've made a reservation at the restaurant and will be heading over soon." I remained where I was and said nothing. For the first time, I didn't immediately do as he said. Thomas' expression turned grim. Losing his patience, he grabbed me by the arm and shoved me into the restroom. He did so with such force that it left red marks on my arm, which instantly throbbed with pain. However, none of this was new to me. Thomas always had immense patience for Edward, but he'd readily lose his temper with me. When I'd first arrived, I paused at the entrance for a few seconds because I didn't know which room was mine. When I didn't move, Thomas shoved me into my room with tremendous force. I fell, my knees scraping against the floor and bleeding from the wounds. He gave me a lame apology, saying that he didn't do it on purpose. He said he was simply used to being rough with boys and promised to be more careful in the future. However, during the past few days, I noticed he'd been attentive and gentle with Edward. As it seemed, he wasn't careless with men as he claimed; he just couldn't care less about me. Keeping silent, I entered the restroom. Outside, Thomas was still grumbling about me. "How taciturn. I wonder what kind of upbringing he received from his adoptive father when he lived in the countryside. He's nothing like you, Ed. You're smart and outgoing!" Thomas always griped about how quiet I was. Little did he know, I was lively around my adoptive father, Howard Jordan. I only kept quiet around them to protect myself because I didn't feel loved. When I was done using the restroom, my biological mother, Abigail Lawson, and my ex-girlfriend, Zoe Ludwig, were already waiting downstairs. Abigail seemed to be very impatient. She barked at me, "Taking your own sweet time in the restroom, were you? I knew your adoptive father failed to raise you right. What a dawdler!" She directed her anger solely at me, even though Thomas and Edward had used the restroom too. In fact, they were in there longer than I was. Zoe got up and walked over. Looking straight ahead, she walked right past me toward Edward and linked her arm with his. She was so distant and arrogant, as though we were nothing but strangers, even though we'd been deeply in love not so long ago. However, since the Sullivans brought me home yet treated me like a reject, she had changed. Not only did she willingly choose to marry Edward, but she even dismissed me as though I were thin air. We arrived at the restaurant by car. There were exactly five seats in the private lounge. One of the seats was near the door through which the waiters would serve us food. The others naturally took the seats away from the door, leaving that seat vacant. Edward turned to me, a look of smug satisfaction in his eyes. "You should take that seat. You can help the waiters out when they serve the food." Thomas and Abigail laughed. "You're used to helping out with household chores when you lived with your adoptive family, anyway, Chester. Sitting there makes it easier for you to help the waiters." Even Zoe chuckled into her hand as she cast me a scornful look. My family was worth billions of dollars and employed ten household staff, yet they were asking me—their biological son—to help the waiters. That spoke volumes about how unwelcome I was. When the waiter was serving us the first course, Edward abruptly got up from his seat, saying that he needed to use the restroom. As he walked past me, he deliberately stumbled in my direction. Crash! Startled by the impact, the server lost his grip on the dish. The entire plate of piping-hot food spilled over me. The scalding food covered my skin, and an intense burning pain immediately tore through me. Chapter 2 I sprang to my feet from the pain. However, Thomas and Abigail immediately checked if Edward was okay. "Are you okay, Ed?" I noticed how worried they were, and the realization stung me. "I'm the one who was scalded," I said softly. Everyone fell silent. The waiter quickly grabbed a towel and helped me wipe off the spilled food, apologizing as he did. "I'm really, really sorry! It's my fault for being careless." I grabbed his hand. In an icy tone, I said, "It's not your fault. Someone purposely bumped into you." Edward retorted, "What are you trying to say? Are you saying I bumped into him on purpose just to hurt you?" Feeling wronged, he took Abigail's hand and complained to her. "Mom, how could he say that I did it on purpose? I was only walking past!" Abigail turned to look at me, her brows furrowing into a deep frown. "Chester, how could you accuse your brother of something like that?" Thomas even reprimanded me without trying to figure out the truth. "You've learned to slander at such a young age. What on earth have your adoptive father taught you?" My shoulder had turned red and was throbbing with a burning pain. "Slander?" Not wanting to argue further, I pointed to the surveillance camera in a corner of the lounge. "Let's check the security camera." Edward's eyes widened, and he tensed up upon realizing there was a camera in the room. Thomas' suspicious gaze fell on him. After a moment's hesitation, Edward spoke in Franich. "So what if I did it on purpose? It was just a prank." Abigail sighed but didn't scold him. "How could you do that? What if you scalded yourself instead?" Thomas tried to cover up for him. "Next time, think twice before you do anything. Chester isn't dumb. He knows we can check the surveillance camera. Now pretend that your hand hurts, and we'll use that excuse to take you to the hospital. Maybe he'll forget about this later." Abigail was concerned about Edward, and Thomas tried to help him out of this situation. No one thought to ask me if I was in pain. They were too busy cleaning up after Edward. They thought I didn't understand Franich, but I understood them perfectly. Picking up on Thomas' cue, Edward immediately held his hand. "Ouch, it hurts!" Abigail faked a look of concern. She asked urgently, "Ed, what's wrong? Did you get burned?Quick, let's go to the hospital!" They hurriedly led Edward out of the lounge, leaving only Zoe and me behind. She glanced at my wound, and there was a flash of sympathy in her eyes. "You should have that treated too." I replied coldly, "It's none of your business." She walked up to me, her tone laced with anger as she said, "I know you blame me for betraying you, but I have my own future to consider. "My dad's been fired from his previous job and is in dire need of a new one. If he doesn't find one, our whole family will starve! "Even if you're the Sullivans' biological son, you haven't been acknowledged, and you know it. On the other hand, if I get together with Edward, a life of luxury awaits me!" She shot me one last glance before grabbing her purse and leaving the lounge. As I stared after her, I thought it was just too ridiculous. It turned out that what Zoe wanted had never been love. It was wealth and status. The restaurant manager sent me to the hospital, where I received treatment for my wounds. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out to see a message from Howard. "I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Since they aren't treating you like their son, I'll take you home!" Glancing at my bandaged arm, I replied resolutely, "Okay." Chapter 3 When we got home from the hospital, the two suits Abigail had ordered had just been delivered. Those were the outfits Edward and I were supposed to wear during the welcome-home banquet. However, even though we were supposedly brothers, one of the suits was bespoke suit, while the other was just a cheaper, off-the-rack suit. When Edward laid his eyes upon an expensive bespoke suit, he immediately pounced on it. "This suit is well-tailored. I'm wearing this to the introduction dinner!" I wasn't particularly interested in that suit, as its craftsmanship was nothing exceptional to me. Still, it was my introduction dinner, so it was only logical that I wear the better outfit. Besides, I wasn't going to back down this time. So, when Edward was about to return to his room with the suit, I stopped him. "Give it back." My resoluteness surprised him, and he was briefly stunned. When he caught on, he glared at me. "What do you mean? You don’t deserve to wear something this expensive!" Seeing that he was adamant about keeping the suit to himself, I saved my breath and snatched it from him. Edward glowered at me, furious that I'd had the audacity to take what he considered his. He held on to the suit with a firm grip, refusing to let go. "Are you out of your mind? How dare you take what's mine!" Without backing down, I tugged hard and finally reclaimed the suit. Edward lost his balance and fell. He shouted, "How dare you push me! Dad! Mom!" Thomas and Abigail heard him and rushed into the living room. When they saw Edward sitting on the floor and noticed the suit I was holding, they immediately understood what had happened. Abigail's eyes reddened as she stomped toward me. She gave me a sound slap. "How could you be so petty? You shoved your brother over a mere suit!" "You spiteful child! You're so calculative, even though we've brought you home with us!" Thomas barked. As I held my swollen cheek, my heart turned cold. They never clarified with me if I'd really pushed Edward. They didn't bother to ask if Edward was merely accusing me of something I didn't do, even though he'd just done the same thing earlier. The moment they saw Edward on the floor, they were convinced that I was the bad guy who'd bullied Edward without even checking the surveillance camera. "He tried to take what's mine. I just wanted it back, and he fell in the process. I didn't push him. If you don't believe me, check the surveillance camera. The camera in the hallway has a clear view of the living room." My frosty tone stunned them both. The moment Edward heard about the surveillance camera, he clutched his bottom and cried, "So what if it was an accident? I only fell because he snatched the suit from me!" Abigail turned to me, frustration evident on her face. "Chester, I ordered this suit for your brother. Stop kicking up a fuss." I paused. "This suit belongs to him? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that introduction dinner held for me? You ordered an off-the-rack suit for your biological son and got your adoptive son a haute couture suit." I let out a scoff before I continued, "Anyone would think he was your biological son instead of me!" Abigail's face paled. Thomas was furious. He snapped, "You ungrateful wretch! Is that how you speak to your mother?" "What about it?" I stared right into their eyes. I continued, "Am I wrong? Ever since I returned to this family, you've been favoring him over me. I let things slide because I didn't want to waste my breath, but you are taking things too far!" Thomas flew off the handle. "We prepared this suit for Ed because the Jordan family will be attending the dinner. The Jordan family is in a different league. We were just trying our luck when we sent them the invitation. We didn't expect them to accept it. "Our company is currently facing a crisis. If we could secure a connection with the Jordan family, not only would that resolve the crisis, but our family would also become unrivaled in Jorwich City! "Ed is well-mannered and has a way with words. That's why we gave him the better suit so that he can earn the favor of the Jordan family. What's wrong with that?" I couldn't help but smirk. "You say he has a way with words? I think you just never planned on formally introducing me to the public. You never truly accepted me as your son!" Why else would they allow Edward, who wasn't their son, to represent the Sullivan family at such an event? My rebuttal angered Abigail so badly that her hands trembled, and she clutched her chest. Thomas raised his hand, ready to slap me. However, I refused to give him that opportunity. I grabbed the suit and ran back to my room. There was a loud thud as I slammed the door shut. Immediately afterward, Thomas launched into a volley of insults as Abigail reproached me for my behavior. However, that didn't bother me anymore because on the day of the introduction dinner, I was going home to where I truly belonged. Chapter 4 On the day of the welcome-home banquet, I arrived at the venue dressed in the haute couture suit. The moment I entered the banquet hall, Edward and his friends blocked my way. Edward sized me up. Then, he asked mockingly, "Hey, is the suit you took from me comfortable?" His friends shot me disdainful looks, and they started mocking me. "Stealing Ed's identity clearly isn't enough to satisfy you. Now you're stealing his outfit as well!" "Yeah, as expected of someone from the countryside—you have no manners at all!" I watched the immature group before me with cold detachment. "Did it never occur to you that I'm actually the son of the Sullivan family and am just taking back everything that belongs to me? Aren’t people in your elite circles supposed to care more about bloodlines than anything else?" Edward's friends were stunned speechless. Edward's face paled. He retorted, "Everything belonged to me in the first place. I'm only being forced to give it back to you because you've returned. If that's not stealing, then what is?" "Oh, really?" I looked at him calmly. Then I continued, "Then why is my name recorded in the family tree instead of yours? "Prestigious families prioritize bloodline above all. You’re nothing but an impostor. If it weren't for decades of parental devotion, do you think you could even rise above the social class you were born into?" Upon hearing my insults, Edward clenched his fists tightly. He was about to lose his temper when a thought crossed his mind, and he smiled mockingly. "Don't get too cocky. At least Mom and Dad care about me. With our connection, how long do you think you can keep being this arrogant? You're nothing but the son of a peasant who has brought misfortune upon his wife. He must've struggled trying to raise you, you good-for-nothing. Am I right?" His evil side drained all my patience. He could insult me all he wanted, but he should never have insulted Howard. I punched him in the face. He collapsed to the ground, and everyone else inhaled sharply in surprise. Edward's expression was a mixture of embarrassment and anger. Getting back on his feet, he tried to hit me back. However, I was too fast for him and managed to dodge his punch. Edward lost his balance and fell forward, stumbling into the champagne tower before him. There was a crash as the glasses shattered into smithereens. He lay on the floor, moaning in pain. Thomas and Abigail heard the commotion and ran over. Upon seeing Edward lying on the floor, covered in blood, Thomas' temper hit the roof. He stomped toward me and slapped me hard across the face. I was unable to dodge in time, and the blow left me dizzy. Abigail cradled Edward in her arms and started crying. "Oh my darling, are you okay? You wretch, how dare you hit your brother!" I wiped the blood off the corner of my mouth and smirked. "I wouldn't have hit him if he'd watched his mouth. When it comes down to it, he's the loser he is now because neither of you knew how to raise him properly!" Edward's eyes widened in anger when he heard me calling him a loser. However, he was aching all over and had no energy to retaliate. He could only whine to Thomas, saying, "Dad, he called me useless.… Ouch, it hurts so badly! It's all his fault! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be suffering!" Thomas was so heartbroken that his eyes reddened. Immediately, he pointed a finger at me in anger. "Get down on your knees and apologize!" I gave him a mocking stare. "He started it first. Why should I be the one to apologize?" His eyes were filled with nothing but anger and the determination to defend Edward. He held no affection for me. He barked, "You're my son! You must do as I say!" He'd never thought of me as his son before this. Now, he'd call me his son just to defend Edward. Seeing that I remained standing, he pounced at me and kicked me at the bend of my knees from behind, trying to force me to kneel. However, I gritted my teeth and resisted him. Utterly angered, Thomas shouted toward the entrance, "Security! Hold him down!" The security guards at the entrance sprinted toward me at his command and held me firmly. "Pin him down!" instructed Thomas. The guards exerted more force under his command and tried to force me onto my knees. However, I resisted them with all my might, a resolute expression on my face. A man could die, but he must never kneel in submission. I resisted so fiercely that even the combined efforts of both guards couldn't pin me down. The guests murmured among themselves. "Mr. Chester sure is stubborn. Not even his father can keep him under control." "I heard they'd only brought him home recently. It's only normal that he's disobedient, no?" Thomas was too proud to have his authority challenged. Glaring at me, he picked up a glass and hurled it on the floor. I knew he was beside himself with rage now. Like an enraged beast, he charged toward me and actually raised his leg to kick my head. The guards were holding me down, and I couldn't move. I closed my eyes and braced myself. However, just as Thomas was about to land the kick, a commotion broke out at the hall entrance. A fleet of black cars swept into the compound and pulled up neatly at the entrance, making such a grand entrance that everyone turned to look. The next moment, the doors opened, and a team of men in black clothes got out. They gathered near the first Maybach. One of them opened the door and bowed slightly in respect. A man clad in a suit got out of the car. Howard barked toward the crowd in the hall, "Who dares force my son to get on his knees?"