Chapter 26
With that, Mira swapped her plate with Julian’s.
“Mira, don’t take it too far p>
Julian, who had just walked over, had heard what Mira said and snapped at her.
Beside him, Mara’s eyes were already welling up with tears.
“This isn’t taking it too far. It’s called being once bitten, twice shy. Got it, Julian the Dunce p>
“You’re asking for it p>
Julian’s temper flared, and he raised a hand to strike Mira.
He despised that nickname.
As a kid, Julian had been a hothead, always getting into fights and causing trouble. He was the type to explode at the slightest provocation.
Lacey had called him the “Julian the Dunce,” and the name had stuck among them.
He was also the first of the siblings to be won over by Mara.
Just then, Mara made a show of trying to hold him back, but she couldn’t seem to manage it. “Don’t blame your sister. She’s just… she’s just p>
Mira, meanwhile, had hopped over to the other side of the dining table.
From that position, if Julian tried to hit her, the entire dinner would be ruined, and he would surely be punished.
Julian’s knuckles turned white as he fought to keep his temper in check, but there was nothing he could do.
*Hmph, you little brat. You think you can mess with me? Just wait until I’ve mastered my training. I’ll deal with you then p>
Mira hadn’t forgotten that during the incident on the stairs, this dog had threatened to send her to jail.
Just then, Lacey walked over and saw her son poised for a fight.
“Sit down and eat. What’s all this commotion p>
In contrast, Mira was already sitting obediently at the table, ready to eat.
Julian shot Mira a glare. “Scheming witch p>
When Adrian came over, he saw Mira already starting on her food.
“You left this morning and were gone all day. What were you doing p>
“Working to earn money p>
Mr. Mercer turned his head away, a look of deep disappointment on his face, but he had no rebuttal.
“Since when does a child of the Mercer family need to work?” Julian interjected.
“Of course *you* don’t need to work. You’re Julian, the apple of Mr. and Mrs. Mercer’s eye. But I’m different.
I’m an afterthought. Maybe not even that. I’m more like an old rag to you-discarded and forgotten. If I don’t work, how am I supposed to live p>
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. You’re
getting more and more absurd. Eat your dinner. Anyone who doesn’t
want to eat can go hungry. Don’t ruin it for everyone else Lacey
intervened.
She didn’t want to dwell on Mira calling them “Mr. and Mrs. Mercer,” otherwise, the
girl would surely have something even more unpleasant waiting for her.
Julian glared at Mira one last time before finally starting to eat.
The crabs on the platter had been portioned one per person. Julian first placed one on Mr. Mercer’s plate and another on Mrs. Mercer’s Then just as he was about to give the fargest one to Mara, Mira moved with lightning speed.
*Swoosh*. The biggest crab was now on her plate.
He stared at Mira, about to speak, when he saw Mara looking pitiful, her voice
syrupy sweet. “It’s okay, Julian. I’ll have a small one p>
She looked as if she had just suffered a great injustice.
Before anyone else could speak, Mira mimicked her tone. “Sister, don’t blame me. This is for your own good.
you
You know how rich crab is, and have such a delicate constitution You should eat less of it We wouldn’t want you upset stomach now, would we p>
to get an eln
She began cracking the shell as she spoke. “Wow, the big ones have so much roe p>
Julian’s gaze burned with a silent, simmering fury.
Lacey sighed helplessly but said nothing.
Mira, however, ate with great relish, completely unaffected. As she was finishing up,
she heard Mara ask Lacey a question.
“Is Damon coming back tomorrow p>
“Your Damon will be back on Sunday. He’s making arrangements for you to
participate in the arts festival p>