Alaric quickly rushed to the sixth floor, lightened his footsteps, and carefully entered the lock code. Then, he grabbed the door handle and pushed it open. He jumped in and shouted, "Who’s eating and drinking in my house?"
In the next second, both parties were stunned by what they saw.
"Alaric?"
"Brandon?"
Alaric held his head and scread, "Oh my God, am I dreaming? How co you are here?" He then jumped and shrieked, completely stupefied.
Five minutes later, Alaric finally cald down. Brandon told Alaric exactly what he had told Avery. Alaric thought the whole story was dubious.
"Brandon, it’s not a big deal that your luggage was robbed and you don’t have any money on you. Why are you being so secretive and hiding yourself? What you’re doing makes our family seem very snobbish and greedy. It’s as if our family doesn’t want you if you don’t have money."
Brandon smiled bitterly. "I’ve been overseas for almost four years. My ntality has definitely changed. You know, I’m just anxious. Just give so ti."
Alaric said, "But Christmas is in about ten days. Don’t tell you’re not going ho for Christmas?"
"I’m surely going back for Christmas," Brandon replied.
Alaric kept patting his own head and pacing around the room. "Oh my God, if Mom finds out that you haven’t contacted ho after being back for so long, she’ll be sad."
"That’s why I need your understanding and help."
Brandon tried his best to persuade Alaric to keep it a secret from the family.
Alaric said with reddened eyes, "Brandon, you’re in such a pitiful situation. You go out early and co back late every day, brave the cold wind to deliver food for more than ten hours, and can only make less than a hundred dollars a day. You’re even looked down on by others. It hurts to see you like this."
"Look at how thin you’ve beco. Those who don’t know the full story will think that our family is abusing you."
Brandon gritted his teeth. "Right. This little guy, who only knew to follow around and beg to help him do his howork when he was a kid, dares to pity and sympathize with now. He must be looking for a beating!"
After Alaric finished bleating, he wrapped his arms around Brandon’s neck.
"Brandon, although I’m still a student and don’t have much money on , the club gives roughly a thousand dollars every month as my living expenses. I’ve saved up a little. Let donate it all to you."
Brandon rolled his eyes in silence. He resisted the urge to hit Alaric.
"Don’t worry about it. No matter how poor I am, I don’t need my younger brother, who’s still studying, to support ."
Alaric threatened him. "If you don’t accept the money and let yourself continue to live dreadfully, I’ll tell Mom and Dad about what’s going on here."
Brandon was speechless for a few seconds before he blurted, "Alright, I’ll accept it."
Alaric scanned Brandon’s QR code and transferred him one thousand dollars. The forr even said earnestly, "Brandon, use this money to buy so nice gifts for Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Maria, and Josie. This way, you can save face."
Brandon didn’t know how to retort. He was initially moved by Alaric’s words and actions, but it quickly turned into an impulse to beat him up.
Alaric wasn’t a very sensitive person, and he beca chirpy again pretty much the next second. He tugged Brandon by the arm and sat down next to him.
"Brandon, tell . How have you been overseas for the past few years? Is your professor nice to you? Have you got a girlfriend? Are the natives over there easy to get along with?"
Brandon’s expression froze for a mont before he squeezed out a smile. "It’s quite good. Everything is quite good..."
Avery watched from the side and shook her head discreetly.
Poor Brandon... she thought.
She then stood up and picked up her coat. "Alaric, it’s late. Let’s go back."
"No, it’s not even eight o’clock yet. What are you talking about?" Alaric was excited. "I haven’t seen Brandon for so long, and I have to have a few drinks with him. Why don’t you go back first? I’ll sleep here tonight."
"You’re an athlete, so you shouldn’t drink."
Brandon took the opportunity to chase him out. "Hurry up and go back. You still have class tomorrow."
"Brandon, you rarely co back. Don’t work too hard. I’ll co and visit you often," Alaric went on.
Avery lugged Alaric away. As he walked, he kept turning his head around and babbled.
Two days later, Kilmore University and the University of Technology were on winter break.
At 9:30 p.m., the entire family returned and gathered in the living room for supper. Claire looked at the weather outside and sighed. "If only Brandon could co back earlier. Then, we could celebrate Christmas together."
After eating and drinking his fill, Alaric was playing a mobile ga with his head lowered. When he heard this, he casually said, "Brandon ca back a long ti ago and has been staying at our old house. He said that he is surely coming ho for Christmas."
The living room suddenly dropped dead silent. Other than the sound from Alaric’s mobile ga and the television, no one spoke.
Alaric raised his head in confusion. "Why are you guys so quiet all of a sudden?"
The whole family was staring at him, their eyes filled with shock and inquiry.
Alaric realized what he had done and quickly covered his mouth. "Uh... I didn’t say anything. It’s the ga I’m playing that made my brain go haywire."
Wesley took a deep breath. He placed his hand on the table and stood up. "I’ll go to the old house to take a look. If Alaric lied, I’ll deal with him when I get back."
Claire stood up as well. "I’m going too."
The rest of the family also chipped in. "Let’s go together."
Even Josie, who was dozing off, perked up and bounced around.
"Josie wants to see Brandon too!"
"Oh dear, what have I done..." Alaric cupped his head with his hands and said with a bitter expression, "I-I won’t be going."
He wanted to send a ssage to Brandon, but the mont his fingers touched the phone button, he pulled them back.
"What should I tell Brandon? Do I ask him to quickly hide? I an, we’re family. There’s no need to do so. I highly doubt that Dad and Mom are going to beat him up anyway," Alaric thought.
"Brandon, since you’re coming back in a few days anyway, please don’t bla for what is about to happen," Alaric muttered and looked toward Avery.
"Avery, are you going with them?" Alaric asked.
"Yup." Avery responded.
Actually, she was just going there to enjoy the drama that was about to unfold and to tell the family about Brandon’s situation so that they wouldn’t bla him.
On the way to the old house, the entire family listened to her explanation. No one blad Brandon. They only sighed.
"This silly child has really beco silly from all the studying."
The family soon arrived at Viento Court. They quickly went up to the sixth floor and saw Brandon. There was neither bla nor complaints—only a room full of cheers and warm greetings.
"Brandon, welco ho."
"It’s good that you’re back. Nothing else matters."
Brandon sobbed as he spoke, "Yes, I’ll go back with you."
It was a high-spirited night for the Carter family.
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