Chapter 78


    Leo had added Mirabe on Messenger quite a while ago, but back then, learning that his sister had


    been raised in the countryside – no offense intended – he worried she might be a bit of a pest. So,


    even after connecting, he never struck up a conversation with her.


    With a nickname clearly noted, it didn’t take Leo long to find the chat with Mirabe. His fingers tapped


    several times on the screen as he entered an amount in the money transfer panel.


    “I can only send two hundred grand a day. Take this for now, and I’ll send more tomorrow. Just buy


    whatever you like, and if it’s not enough, let me know,” Leo sald with nonchnt ease.


    The notification sound from her phone signalled another hefty transfer.


    Was this some kind of family gene? It must be, right?!


    Rubbing her temples, Mirabe didn’t even pull out her phone. She was about to decline when Leo’s


    voice came through once more.


    “If you don’t take it, I’ll think you’re still mad, and you don’t like your new brother.”


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Mirabe fell silent. Listen to that this family all had the same methodical way of forcefully giving


    money.


    23


    Still reeling from the forced windfall, Mirabe felt a bit spaced out even while sitting down to dinner.


    The facade of a poor family life had been skewed, and now, with Leo’s shy moves upon their first


    meeting, the situation was well beyond the definition of poverty.


    “Mira, what’s on your mind? You seem distracted,” Delh asked with concern next to her. It was the


    first time Delh saw the kid so out of it ever since she sat down at the table.


    Mirabe snapped back to reality and shook her head with aplex expression, “Nothing.”


    Leo nced over at her, the young girl’s face still a bit dazed. Perhaps due to their blood rtion, he


    suddenly found this expression, which would seem silly on someone else, quite endearing on his sister.


    “By the way, Leo, why don’t you stay at home a bit longer this time? Work’s important, but so is your


    health,” Shawn chimed in.


    At these words, Leo’s grip on his fork tightened slightly, and his eyes narrowed. His handsome features


    showed no sign of disturbance, and he responded in an indifferent tone, “Probably not. My schedule’s


    packed for the year. I have to fly out to Lakewood tomorrow afternoon to shoot a music video. It’s tight.”


    Finishing his exnation, he lowered his head and resumed eating.


    “You insisted on going into music, working yourself to exhaustion. Look how thin you’ve gotten since


    you’ve been back,” Delh said with heartfelt worry.


    Leo swallowed a mouthful of somewhat dry rice and after a few seconds, he looked up with a forced


    smile, “Losing a bit of weight is good. It’s needed for the showbiz.”


    Delh shook her head helplessly, “You’re so young. Your health shoulde first.”


    A bitter smile touched Leo’s lips as he hummed in acknowledgment, more to appease her than


    anything else. Mirabe looked up just in time to catch his strained expression. Though he seemed


    natural, it was clear that the ease was somewhat feigned.


    She pondered for a moment, but she didn’t ask further.


    Everyone has their secrets.


    After dinner, Leo only lingered in the living room for half an hour before concocting an excuse that he


    absolutely had to leave.


    “I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something off about Leo,” Delh mused, frowning once Leo had


    left.


    Chapter 78


    Men just aren’t as detail–oriented as women. Shawn patted his wife’s hand. “He’s probably just


    exhausted. Didn’t you hear him? He just got back from an international flight today.”