Chapter 1

It was the 29th of June, 1982, when the village farmers stopped work for the day to have dinner. As they ate under the trees, they gossiped about Wendy Stowell.

Wendy had wanted to snatch her younger sister Xyla Stowell's fiancé so that she could go to Bellmire City in her place and live a luxurious life.

To that end, Wendy had wrapped a strip of red cloth on Xyla, which enraged a bull. It had charged at Xyla, breaking her leg.

Wendy had attempted suicide earlier today, insisting her family let her go to Bellmire City, or she would jump into the river.

Xyla's fiancé, Sean Horton, had been at the scene then. He was there to take Xyla with him to Bellmire to treat her leg injury. By some miracle, he managed to save Wendy before she could drown.

Wendy had stopped breathing by the time she was dragged out of the water, but Sean saved her by performing CPR on her.

As uneducated farmers, the villagers didn't know what CPR was. They simply saw Sean kissing Wendy before their eyes. That meant that he now had to marry her, for Wendy would have no marriage prospects since her first kiss had been stolen by him.

Sean explained calmly, "This is simple, basic medical knowledge that they teach in the military. You perform chest compressions on the patient while ventilating them.

"A trained doctor would have performed the same treatment as well if you were to send her to the hospital. I merely did it to save Wendy, and I will not marry her."

Wendy's father, Melvin Stowell, had a pained look on his face as he took a drag on his cigarette. "I know that you only did it to save her, but you did that 'mouth-to-mouth CPR' thing to Wendy in front of the entire village.

"Everyone has been talking about that 'kiss' since then, including Wendy's classmates from school. You won't have anything to worry about when you return to Bellmire, but what about Wendy?"

Sean clenched his jaw. "I am engaged to Xyla. Wendy is also now in high school. I am sure that her future fiancé will also be someone educated and not have such misgivings over CPR."

Wendy's mother, Victoria Marsh, was a traditional, conservative farmer's wife. She had never received any formal education.

She was sobbing as she said, "Xyla managed to get into a vocational school. She will be able to find a job once she graduates, so she won't be lacking in potential partners then. But Wendy?

"News about this will soon spread throughout her school. Who would you pick if you were given the choice? A pure, untouched girl, or a girl who had already been sullied? You're obviously killing off Wendy's future!"

Melvin's younger brother, Ernest Stowell, pointed out, "Isn't this all because of Wendy's own actions? Melvin here once saved young Sean's father a long time ago.

"And as thanks, he initially offered to let either one of the girls marry Sean. Wendy herself didn't want Sean at first because he's an older man with a seven-year-old child of his own.

"It wasn't until she saw Sean and came to know about his sizable salary as military personnel that she threw a tantrum and wanted him for herself. And this was after Xyla and Sean had gotten to know each other through letters and gotten engaged."

"Ernest, it's not your daughter that he kissed in front of all the villagers. The rumors will doom us all. My other sons will not be able to find wives of their own if no one wants to marry Wendy because of this."

Victoria grabbed Sean's arm. "We aren't trying to force you to marry Wendy. However, this little village in the middle of nowhere is not at all like the city.

"A woman losing her first kiss and purity is a major deal. If you refuse and marry Xyla instead, the other villagers will jeer at us."

…

Wendy jolted awake from the raised voices outside her room. She realized that she had transmigrated into the story that had recently been making the rounds online, "You Don't Deserve A Happy Ending".

To top it off, she had taken the place of the evil older sister in the story, who coincidentally shared the same name as Wendy.

The current Wendy had hated the original Wendy's guts when she first read the story. Now, she felt like throwing up.

The original Wendy had been a devastatingly beautiful girl. People often said that her beauty was wasted in the tiny little village she lived in.

This led to the original Wendy becoming a spoiled, lazy, bossy girl. Despite living in a rural village in an era of scarcity, she always got to eat, so she was not at all malnourished.

Xyla was a year younger than the original Wendy. Unlike her older sister, she was a hardworking girl. However, the original Wendy treated her like a servant.

After the sisters met Sean, though, their fates ended up reversed. The original Wendy's life took a turn for the worse. Meanwhile, Xyla ended up living a happier life.

Seeing how Sean refused to marry her, the original Wendy and Victoria threatened to tell Sean's superior that he was a player. So, in the end, Sean's father forced him to marry her instead.

This was why Sean greatly disliked the original Wendy. After their wedding, he requested to be relocated to a rural post instead. Even though it had been years since they had gotten married, he never once spoke to the original Wendy.

On the other hand, he was kind and considerate toward Xyla. He ended up introducing her to another man, and Xyla lived happily with her husband.

The drastic change in fortunes drove the original Wendy crazy. Like a madwoman, she wouldn't let Sean go at all.

She also caused Xyla to miscarry and spread rumors about them. Her actions caused whatever little goodwill the Hortons had toward the Stowell family to disappear.

The Stowells kicked the original Wendy out of their home and sent her to a psychiatric ward. The original Wendy did not have an easy time there and was even raped.

One of the staff members later secretly sold her to someone in yet another rural village.

The Stowells finally found the original Wendy locked up inside a pig pen. She was naked and blind, her limbs broken and her body reeking due to the pig pen. She could barely pass for a human.

Fortunately for the current Wendy, she had transmigrated to an earlier point in the story. She still had time to turn her fate around. If she had transmigrated to a later point, she would probably have gone insane from being treated so coldly in her marriage to Sean.

With that thought, Wendy got out of bed and yanked open the door. "Mom, Sean is right. He only wanted to save me, and that is all there is to it. I don't need him to marry me."

Everyone swiveled to stare at Wendy in shock. Previously, Wendy had insisted on marrying Sean and wanted him by hook or by crook. She took all of Xyla's letters to Sean for herself and even attempted suicide.

So, what was going on now?

Victoria rushed over to feel Wendy's forehead, worried that she was sick and simply speaking nonsense. "Your future is going to be over. How will you survive then? You've been kicking up a fuss for days already. Isn't this what you want?"

Wendy looked at Sean. He was dressed in his military uniform, which was a stark contrast to the old, yellowed wall he stood by. His chiseled features stood out as well.

Sean was far more handsome in person. He resembled a regal nobleman from ages long past. It was no wonder the original Wendy went head over heels for him and kept up her antics for so long.

"Thank you for saving me. I know what CPR is, so I understand. However, I still have a year of school left, and I know that I can't go back to school here. My classmates will definitely bring this up constantly.

"So, I'd like to ask a favor—could you ask your father if he will let me go to Bellmire to finish up my studies?" Wendy boldly suggested.

Back in her actual life, Wendy had created a start-up right after graduating from university and ended up experiencing a new low shortly after that.

Her business had somehow managed to survive the slowing economy, but then came a period when her customers kept refunding their orders. It infuriated her and drove her to death.

Chapter 2

Wendy simply wanted to give up after her business failed. Now that she had a second chance at life, she would make use of it. All she needed to do was slog it out for a few more years at a good university and then get a well-paying job.

As a resident of Bellmire City, Wendy would be able to utilize Bellmire's housing schemes as well.

She would also take the chance to save up as much money as she could and buy up a few different properties. Once their value shot up, Wendy could then coast off her generous pension and rental gains and travel the world.

That would be the life for her. She wouldn't need to marry anyone either and could remain childless. And even if she were to fall ill or die, Wendy could arrange for a third party to take care of all her affairs.

Sean leveled a cold, piercing look at Wendy. He didn't think she was being truthful.

When Wendy renewed her interest in him, he had thought her a fake, bossy girl. Later on, he found out about Wendy's ill-treatment of Xyla and also heard about Wendy's poor character from the villagers. She simply disgusted him.

"I can help you with that transfer to a high school in Bellmire City if that is what you actually want. However…" Sean's gaze was serious. It was a warning to Wendy. "You better not have any other intentions."

Victoria angrily spoke up, "What are you saying, Sean? You two are supposed to marry each other. You're a military officer too and can't just ditch this responsibility…"

"Just as you said, Mom, he's from the military. I'm the one who broke Xyla's leg. Even if he were to willingly marry me, there would be a lot of obstacles." Wendy quickly pulled Victoria back, stopping her from continuing.

Wendy knew how Victoria was. To Victoria, a woman didn't need any education, and marriage was the most important thing a woman could aspire to. If Sean wouldn't marry Wendy, Victoria would never let the Hortons know peace.

Still, Wendy had to wonder how the original Wendy managed to escape being sentenced for her crimes.

Victoria was clearly startled by this. Even Sean looked at Wendy in mild surprise.

Just as Wendy had said, Sean would face a lot of challenges if he were to marry her, a civilian. He would only be able to marry her without any issues if he quit the military or transferred to a different branch.

"I want to get out of Riverbend Village and go to school in Bellmire City instead. No one there will know about this event. Once I get into university, I can get a job there, too."

Wendy pitched her voice lower as she continued, not wanting Victoria to interrupt her. "And once I get a good job in Bellmire, I can get a husband there, too."

Victoria hadn't listened to the first half of Wendy's plans, but she did pay attention to the second half. She was sure that Wendy would be able to find an even better husband than Sean, considering her good looks.

However, Sean was sharp. When he read between the lines, his dark eyes gain a hint of mockery. Just as he thought, Wendy only wanted to move to Bellmire City just to be a gold digger.

A girl with only thoughts of money and a cushy life would not fit in with other honest, studious university students.

"I see. I shall now return to my base and call my father to tell him about this. Tomorrow, I'll come to pick up Xyla and Wendy to take them to Bellmire with me."

With that, Sean turned to leave. But it was currently dinner time, and he was also a guest at the Stowell residence. They certainly couldn't let him leave without serving him any food.

That was how Sean ended up being forced to dine with the Stowells.

Before they sat down to eat, Victoria locked Xyla inside the kitchen, refusing to let her eat at the dining table with the rest of them. Wendy didn't care, either.

Xyla's heart raced as she peeked at Sean's handsome face through the crack in the door. A small smile bloomed on her face.

Xyla's friend, Erin Watson, poked her head in through the kitchen window. She was worried about Xyla and had come to see her.

"Hey, Xyla. That fiancé of yours is a real hunk. Aren't you worried that your witch of a sister will snatch him for herself? Urgh, she's so evil." Erin groaned.

"No, Sean will definitely refuse to marry Wendy." Xyla's heart had leaped for joy when she heard Sean turn down Wendy. She had thought he would agree and was also worried that Wendy would push forward with the engagement.

Xyla looked down to run a hand over her broken leg. If Sean had agreed to marry Wendy, then the injury would have been even more painful.

"That's great news. Your sister's probably never getting married now unless she leaves the village." Erin was happy for Xyla.

"Keep this a secret. Mom and Dad have forbidden us to tell anyone." All of a sudden, Xyla's eyes dimmed.

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed," Erin promised before proceeding to tell her cousin, Joe Warner, anyway.

Joe was Wendy's classmate from middle school. Through some family connections, he was able to get work at a logistics company. He was also the first person in the village to own a bicycle because of that.

Furthermore, he was also in love with Wendy. However, she treated Joe like he was invisible due to his short stature.

When Erin told him Xyla's story, Joe felt like his chance had come at last.

The next day, he cycled over to the Stowell residence with his mother to ask for Wendy's hand in marriage. But they had only exchanged a few words before Victoria kicked them out.

"Why don't we offer some wedding gifts? I really want to marry Wendy," Joe suggested dejectedly.

"She's just used goods now. Why do we have to offer them gifts? Just sit back and wait. The Stowells will come knocking on our door instead when they can't marry off Wendy. They'll be the ones paying for the wedding reception out of their own pocket then."

Joe's mother, Miriam Hadley, was famous for her money-consciousness. She would never agree to provide a single wedding gift for Wendy.

When they reached the village border, Miriam saw a military jeep drive by. It was Sean, the military officer from Bellmire City.

Miriam recalled Victoria telling her that Wendy was about to move to Bellmire City for high school. Immediately, she realized that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Wendy definitely was not going to Bellmire City just for school. The Stowells had to have convinced Sean to take Wendy to the city so she could get a new start and get married.

The gears in Miriam's head whirred. She couldn't let her prize escape now. So, Miriam quickly got off her bicycle and stopped Sean, who had just gotten out of his car.

"Hello, young man. Are you Xyla's fiancé? You're here today to take Wendy and Xyla to Bellmire, right?"

Sean looked at her indifferently as he closed the car door. "Yes."

"I see. Frankly, I couldn't figure out why Wendy refused to marry my son when he proposed to her earlier. I see now—she wants to go to Bellmire for better prospects."

Miriam pretended to wipe her tears away as she continued, "I'm sure you don't know about this, but Wendy got close to my son Joe here because we're very well-off. My son has spent a lot of money on her, but she's been ignoring him ever since she set her eyes on you.

"I also heard that Wendy had gotten into an accident last night. Joe is madly in love with her, so he dragged me over to her home to propose to her.

"But Wendy kicked us out before we could even say a word. She said that she was going to Bellmire City for school so she could find a better husband and that my son should know his place."

Miriam did her best to drag down Wendy. She wanted Wendy's reputation to be ruined so she couldn't go to Bellmire City. The Warners would be able to save a lot of money on the wedding then. In fact, the Stowells might even end up footing the entire bill instead.

Chapter 3

"My mother is telling the truth. Wendy had been seeing me in secret all this while. I carried her backpack and books from class to class," Joe piped up as he nodded.

Sean studied the pair. They were dressed well, and the bicycle was laden with gifts. It was clear that they had gone to the Stowell residence to ask for Wendy's hand in marriage.

His lips curved up into a cold smile. Wendy was turning out to be even more of a pretentious gold digger than he thought she was.

When Sean went to Wendy's high school to help her fill out the paperwork for her transfer to Bellmire City, he received a copy of her report card. Her grades for several subjects were abysmal. Even if she hadn't decided to transfer, the school would have advised her to drop out.

This evidence further supported Sean's notion about the conversation that Wendy had with Victoria yesterday. Wendy indeed intended to go to Bellmire City for high school to rub shoulders with the elite and find a victim to marry.

Even Wendy's homeroom teacher was surprised when Sean told her about Wendy's plans. The woman pointed out that Wendy wasn't moving to the city simply to study but was going to Bellmire City to get married.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Sean glanced at his watch. He didn't have time to keep talking with them.

Miriam stiffened when Sean didn't seem to take the bait, so she quickly added, "Wendy wouldn't let Joe tell anyone that they were dating. She was just stringing him along.

"Young man, I'm telling you now that you cannot trust anything that Wendy says." Miriam then dragged Joe with her and left.

Meanwhile, Victoria stood outside the Stowell family home. Even from a distance, she could see Sean's jeep by the village entrance past the wheat fields. She hastily called out to Wendy and Xyla to bring their suitcases over.

Wendy was dressed in a flowery blouse. Her hair was tied back into two braids, with some stray strands of hair flopping over her forehead.

She cut a lovely figure under the summer sun. The sunlight emphasized her flawless skin, accentuating her shiny eyes and pink lips as well. No one could tear their eyes away from her.

Meanwhile, her brother, Angus Stowell, carried Xyla on his back. Her hair was in braids as well, with flowers decorating her hair. The dress she wore was one that Victoria had bought for her as an engagement present.

She was also a pretty girl, but she wasn't as perfect a beauty as Wendy. Xyla's own features were plainer than hers.

"Hello, Sean," Xyla shyly greeted him.

After greeting Victoria and Angus, Sean's gaze skipped past Wendy to fall upon Xyla. Instantly, his expression softened. "Hello there, Xyla." He then took Xyla's suitcase.

"Hi, Sean," Wendy greeted him with a toothy smile.

Sean's response was a quick nod before he handed Wendy her letter of recommendation.

"What about mine?" Xyla asked, confused.

"It's here with me. I'll hold onto it for you," Sean replied in a steady and calm tone. He sounded like he wanted to protect her.

Wendy could see Sean's wariness and repulsion toward her. It seemed that he thought Wendy would tear Xyla's letter of recommendation to shreds. The original Wendy would have actually done that.

"Thank you, Sean." Xyla looked down, but her heart leaped for joy. That meant that Sean loved her, right? She could tell that Sean was standing up for and protecting her.

At that thought, Xyla's gaze wandered over to Wendy.

Wendy looked straight ahead as she figured out her game plan for Bellmire City.

Once she reached the city, she would have to stand on her own two feet. Sean's family would not be kind to her since the original Wendy had tried to steal Sean from Xyla, even going as far as to attempt suicide.

Wendy didn't want to rely on their goodwill anyway. So, she wondered if she could get a job that would provide her with room and board.

She would be able to save up some money to cover her living expenses that way. Once classes start, Wendy would have to stay in the school dormitory. She only needed to put up with dormitory life until she got into university.

Victoria wondered how news of Wendy's lack of marriage prospects had spread outside of the Stowell household. Victoria and Joe had visited them earlier, so the entire village would soon know as well.

Worried, Victoria grabbed Wendy's arm and preached to her about finding a new potential husband as soon as possible.

She told Wendy to look for someone who wasn't in the military. She wanted Wendy to let her new husband be the sole breadwinner so that Wendy wouldn't need to work in Bellmire City.

"Yeah, I got it." Wendy's mind was whirling. She knew it was futile trying to explain that she wanted to go to university, so she just nodded to appease Victoria.

"You have to get a good husband in Bellmire. If you still can't find someone there and are forced to return to Riverbend, you'll be stuck with old, senile men only." Victoria teared up as she clutched Wendy's arm.

Xyla was a smart girl, so Victoria didn't need to worry about her. However, Wendy was a cause for a headache.

Wendy understood Victoria's perspective, so she reached out to gently take her hand and soothe her worries. "Don't worry, I'll definitely get a husband in three months."

Wendy had been pressured to get married back in her life in the modern era. She could see that the pressure was even worse in the '80s.

If she didn't allay Victoria's fears, Victoria would most likely keep writing her letters or sending her telegrams. She might even march all the way to Bellmire City to nag Wendy.

Therefore, Wendy decided to tell a white lie so she could prepare for her university entrance exams in peace. Once she started school in Bellmire City, Wendy would write to Victoria to tell her that she had found a new potential spouse, but they would only marry once she graduated high school.

Wendy would tell Victoria whatever she wanted to hear for now and save the truth for later.

"Good girl." Victoria sniffled, relieved. Considering Wendy's pretty face, Victoria was sure that she would have no shortage of prospective partners.

Sean walked faster after he heard Victoria and Wendy talk about marriage. So, Wendy wanted to find a husband and coast off his money in the span of three months. Disdain flashed across his eyes.

Even when they reached Sean's jeep, Victoria kept weeping as she talked to her daughters. Xyla would still be able to return home during the school holidays, but Wendy would have a harder time doing so.

Victoria shoved a few boiled eggs into Wendy's hand. They were the only eggs the Stowell family still had.

Sean got into the driver's seat and watched all of this through the rearview mirror.

Wendy stowed the boiled eggs away in her bag before sitting up straight. By some coincidence, she caught Sean's steely gaze in the mirror. His eyes were dark and suffocating.

Chapter 4

Wendy blinked before closing her eyes and covering them with a handkerchief that she took out earlier, shielding her face from the sun. Only her mouth remained uncovered as she napped.

Xyla was less relaxed than Wendy. It was her first time in a vehicle, so she sat with her legs tightly closed as she examined the jeep's interior.

Still, she tried to rein in her curiosity and leaned back in her seat. From time to time, Xyla sneaked a glance at Sean. Her heart raced whenever she looked at him.

Xyla smiled when she thought about how Wendy initially didn't want the handsome, accomplished Sean. That was how Xyla even got engaged with him. As long as Sean's distaste for Wendy remained, she wouldn't stand a chance.

The jeep journeyed away from Riverbend Village. When they passed by a little shop, Sean stopped the jeep and went inside. He then returned with a red box with a slice of cake in it.

"This is the cake I've written about in my letters. Here, this is for you." Sean handed the box to Xyla.

Xyla was moved as she had never had cake before. "Thank you, Sean." Xyla then glanced at Wendy, who was fast asleep, resembling a pig. "Um, but Wendy…"

"That cake is for you." Sean was blank-faced as he started up the jeep again and made for the nearest train station.

Xyla was overjoyed, glancing again at Wendy with a smug grin. Initially, she wanted to wait until Wendy was awake, but she couldn't wait any longer to try the cake.

Carefully, Xyla opened up the box and used the plastic fork that Sean gave her to scrape off some of the buttercream on the cake, which practically melted in her mouth. It was deliciously sweet. This was the tastiest thing that Xyla had eaten in her life.

"Thank you so much. It's really yummy."

Sean didn't answer Xyla but watched her dig into the cake enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Wendy continued to sleep, her lips curved into a smile. She had a hand covering her bag protectively, as though she was worried that Xyla would steal the boiled eggs inside it.

He coldly turned his gaze back to the road ahead.

The jeep shook as Sean drove down a bumpy road. The handkerchief on Wendy's fell.

Wendy opened her eyes, but just as she was about to bend down and pick it back up, Xyla shrank back as though she was expecting to be hit. She was afraid that Wendy was going to take the half-eaten cake from her.

"Here, Wendy, you can have it. Please don't be angry."

Sean's gaze turned cold as he watched the situation unfold. Instantly, the interior of the jeep turned oppressive.

If Wendy had never transmigrated into this story, she would have continued to think that Xyla was a poor little mistreated girl.

However, in truth, Xyla was a master at playing the victim. She was constantly pretending to be pitiful to stir up sympathy.

The original Wendy never had any intentions of stealing Sean from Xyla, but Xyla constantly pretended to be scared and bullied in front of others. It caused everyone to view the original Wendy in a negative light. Xyla did it so she could gain their sympathy and pity.

Meanwhile, the original Wendy had a hot temper. Since she couldn't get anyone to believe her, the only way she could rein in Xyla was through physical intimidation so that she wouldn't go overboard.

That was how the perception that the original Wendy was a selfish, intimidating bully of a sister came to be.

"Sean's your fiancé. That cake he got for you is rightfully yours. Why would I be angry?" Wendy blinked as she innocently replied to Xyla.

Xyla's eye twitched. She hadn't expected Wendy to be so calm about this. In just a few short moments, she had deduced that Xyla wanted Sean to think that Wendy wanted to steal her cake.

"That… wasn't my intention. I've had half of the cake already, so you can have the rest. Is that alright?" Xyla put on an innocent look as she handed the cake over.

No wonder Xyla turned out victorious in the original story. She was such a good actress.

"But Sean deliberately went to that bakery to get that cake for you. How can I just eat it? I don't like cake and buttercream anyway. You can have it all," Wendy said, her dimples showing as she smiled. Her voice was soft and devoid of any animosity.

Wendy then bent down to pick up her fallen handkerchief. Before she placed the handkerchief back on her face, she caught sight of Sean's gaze in the mirror. He was regarding her with a critical look.

Since she wouldn't need to interact much with him, and they most likely wouldn't cross paths again once they arrived at Bellmire City, Wendy pretended not to notice his look. She carefully covered her eyes again, shielding them from the sunlight.

Wendy's words earlier clearly showed that she hadn't been asleep and had been listening the whole time. She had heard about Xyla and Sean's exchange.

Xyla remained quiet. Her face was red as she took back her cake. Discreetly, she gritted her teeth. Why did Wendy seem different from before?

The jeep soon arrived at the train station. Two military officers were already stationed there, waiting for them. One of them was Hadrian Anning, who was supposed to drive the jeep back to the base. The other was Wyatt Hudson, an officer who worked with Sean.

Both men's eyes lit up at the sight of Wendy. No wonder Sean had taken the trouble to come all the way here to this village in the middle of nowhere for a mission. It turned out that he had taken the opportunity to meet with his fiancée as well.

They had heard that Sean had immediately gone to meet her after he finished his tasks. He only returned to base when night fell.

When he arrived at the base, Sean immediately got on the phone with his family, talking with them for a full 15 minutes. He probably told them that they would be having their wedding reception soon.

No, he was probably telling them that they would tie the knot the moment they stepped off the train in Bellmire City.

Wendy had luscious pink lips. She had a healthy glow to her skin, which was soft and supple. She was far more beautiful than any movie star out there.

Hadrian and Wyatt immediately saluted Sean before going over to help the girls with their luggage.

"Nice to meet you, officer. Do you know where the restroom is?" Wendy looked around, but she couldn't find any sign of the restroom, so she asked them in a friendly manner. Her voice was soft and melodious.

To Wyatt, it was like honey. He couldn't help but want to hear her lovely voice more. Sean probably would be less of a slave driver during training with her around.

Since he knew that Sean had met with his fiancée the night before, Wyatt thought that he should accompany her to the restroom.

Wyatt informed Wendy to wait for him before he sauntered over to Sean, grinning. "Hey, Captain, your future wife asked where the restroom is. Why don't you take her there?"

Sean immediately frowned, repulsion clear on his face as he asked in a stony manner, "Who? Which girl are you referring to?"

Chapter 5

Wyatt immediately shut his mouth after Sean's rebuke. He then watched as Sean got out of the jeep and pulled open the door. It was then that he noticed there was another pretty girl sitting inside the vehicle and understood he had misunderstood.

Wyatt quickly shook his head. "My sincerest apologies, Captain Horton. I thought that the girl outside the jeep was your fiancée."

"Be more watchful of your words. Take Ms. Wendy to the restroom," Sean ordered him with a warning.

"Yes, sir." Wyatt promptly turned to follow Sean's order, feeling a little hurt. He hadn't expected that beautiful, angelic Wendy to not be Sean's fiancée.

The girl inside the jeep was also pretty. She looked kind and lovely, but her looks weren't a good match with Sean's. She looked more like a younger sister to him.

Even if both girls were to stand side by side, Wyatt would still think that Wendy was Sean's fiancée instead.

Wyatt scratched his head in embarrassment as he approached Wendy. "Sorry about this, Ms. Wendy. Let me take you to the restroom instead."

"It's alright. My little sister Xyla is actually Captain Horton's fiancée, and I'm just here to follow them to Bellmire for school." Wendy didn't mind Wyatt's mistake.

This made Wyatt's embarrassment grow. He found the situation a little odd, though. Usually, families would arrange for their eldest children to get married first. So, why was the younger of the girls engaged to Sean?

The only reason Wyatt could think of was that Wendy was already engaged to someone else. So, Sean had no other choice but to marry the younger sister instead. Wyatt found it to be a pity.

"Sean, I… wish to go to the restroom as well." Xyla didn't want to go to the restroom, but she wanted to let the others know that she was the one that Sean was engaged to.

"It's getting late. There are restrooms on the train." Sean glanced at his watch. Xyla's leg injury hindered her from using the restroom.

"I can go by myself." Xyla's leg injury had already healed, and all that was left now was a singular scar. Even if she didn't bring this up, this fact would be discovered once the doctors in Bellmire City examined her.

"Alright. I'll get Hadrian to take you there." Sean still had an important phone call to make.

Xyla's face fell. She thought that Sean would take her to the restroom, but she really couldn't hold it in anymore. So, she let Hadrian lead her to the restroom, hobbling behind him.

When Wendy left the restroom, she saw Xyla slowly heading toward her with one of the officers. She pretended to not see them. Instead, she kept her head down and walked away briskly.

Wyatt noticed this as well. He wondered why Sean wasn't the one accompanying Xyla, especially since her leg was injured. It seemed that Wyatt would not be calling Xyla Sean's wife for a while. They probably hadn't even made any plans to get their marriage officially registered yet.

The train roared into the station, and the crowd at the platform rushed over to board it.

They all had luggage of some kind. Some only had backpacks while some had suitcases. Some had brought their entire family with them, and some also had pets with them.

Sean looked around for the sisters. All of a sudden, someone crashed into him from behind. A pair of soft arms then wrapped around him.

It all happened so quickly that Sean was caught off guard, despite being a hardboiled military man. He had never been touched by another woman, especially when he rarely got to speak with the opposite sex.

Sean stood ramrod straight as he immediately stiffened. He quickly turned around, only to see Wendy's face pressed against him. Her lips were soft, and her breath tickled his back. Instantly, his mind was thrown into chaos.

"Release me at once," Sean intoned coldly as his face darkened to terrifying levels.

He hadn't expected Wendy to attempt to seduce him here at the train station before they could even make it to Bellmire City. Her thoughts and actions were dirty and deplorable. She was practically easy.

Wendy hadn't expected the man that she grabbed was Sean. He was so tall that she had grabbed onto him to steady herself from the crowd surging around her.

"Behave yourself! And cleanse your mind of all those impure thoughts you have!" Sean shot her a steely look.

Wendy crashed to the ground. Wyatt moved to help her up, but then he tripped over a passing child.

"I'm sorry. That was an accident." Wendy looked exasperated as she sat on the ground in pain.

An accident? The sheer cheek Wendy had to wrap her arms around him in broad daylight in a public space. She had an angelic and friendly face, but she still had to resort to such underhanded tactics.

Sean shouldn't have agreed to help Wendy transfer to Bellmire City. He couldn't fathom what kind of trouble she would get into once she arrived there.

"Quiet. Keep your distance from me and my subordinates starting from now. If you once again violate my personal boundaries, I will send you back immediately," Sean warned harshly.

He was not playing around. If Wendy's father hadn't saved his own father's life all those years ago, Sean would have marched Wendy over to the police station so that she would rethink her actions.

"Please don't be angry, Sean. I think it's just because of her crush on you. There are others around us, so please, don't yell at Wendy. Can you forgive her just this once for me?" Xyla pleaded.

Before this, Xyla quickly returned to the platform when she heard the train just in time to spot Sean pushing Wendy away.

She then crouched down next to Wendy, despite her injured leg. "Please don't make Sean uncomfortable, Wendy. You'll only tarnish your own reputation. I'm willing to step aside so you can have Sean."

Although Sean was furious, he still made sure to control his voice as he rebuked Wendy. Combined with the noisiness of the station, no one knew exactly what had happened. All they saw was Wendy getting pushed away by Sean after she hugged him.

However, now that Xyla deliberately said that out loud, everyone thought that Wendy was after her own sister's fiancé. They thought that she had resorted to desperate measures just to steal him away.

They were disgusted by Wendy, especially since Sean was a military officer. There was nothing he could do about this.

"Tsk. How could such a pretty young thing be so shameless as to steal her own sister's man?"

Chapter 6

"Exactly! She's clearly trying to frame the officer by touching him in public. People like her are just bad news!" A man who wasn't in a hurry to catch his train pointed at Wendy.

"Yeah, call the police! Report her for harassment and get her locked up! We need to reform scum like her before she hurts any more innocent people!"

Someone nearby threw peanuts at Wendy in disgust.

Xyla felt a surge of satisfaction. She didn't want Wendy to join her in Bellmire City. Wendy should be marrying that old bachelor from the village, who was well into his 40s. It would be even better if Wendy got arrested for harassment.

Just then, Wendy coldly smirked. She pinched her thigh hard enough to hurt, and her eyes instantly reddened.

With a sweet, quavering voice thick with emotion, she grabbed Xyla's hand and sobbed. "Xyla, you're my sister! And you weren't there just now. How could you misunderstand me like this?

"I just got knocked over by a man carrying a basket and lost my balance. I didn't even realize that Mr. Horton was right in front of me. I just saw someone in a military uniform.

"Out of trust for the military, I grabbed him to avoid falling. That's all. Mr. Hudson can vouch for me."

As Wendy spoke, tears cascaded down her cheeks like dew on flowers, making her look exceptionally pitiful.

"She's right, Captain Horton. You really misunderstood Ms. Wendy. She didn't mean to do anything wrong." Wyatt quickly jumped in to explain and recounted the earlier events in detail.

He had kept a distance from Wendy. Since everything happened so suddenly, Wyatt didn't have time to react, but he immediately called out to that man.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry. My kid called for me, and when I turned around, my basket bumped into this lady," the man in the straw hat said apologetically.

Sean glanced at Wyatt, who nodded earnestly, as though he were saying, "You've wronged Ms. Wendy, Captain Horton. She's innocent."

Xyla hadn't expected such a turn of events. Her face turned guilty and remorseful as she said, "I'm sorry, Wendy. I saw Sean push you down and warn you to keep your distance from men, so I thought you still liked him and wanted to date him. It's all my fault."

"Xyla, even though I went on a blind date with Mr. Horton first, I didn't agree when Dad and Mom asked him to marry me. You heard me say that in the kitchen last night, didn't you?

"If I wanted to date Mr. Horton, why would I have said that to them? Why do you keep misunderstanding me?" Wendy spoke clearly. Her teary eyes were filled with hurt and confusion as she looked at Xyla.

It felt like they had been deeply bonded sisters until Xyla's betrayal struck her hard.

Wendy knew Xyla would use this against her, so she intentionally waited for her to dig her own grave. To deal with someone as scheming as Xyla, she needed to appear more vulnerable and more innocent.

"It turns out she was the one who dated the officer first. She didn't like him, so it was her sister's turn. I knew there had to be more to it. She's much prettier than her sister and looks like an angel! How could she ever do something like that?"

As people around her heard this, they immediately began to defend Wendy.

"Yeah, she and the officer make a great couple, while her sister seems a bit immature. Maybe the officer isn't interested in her, and that's why she's saying that on purpose. What a scheming young lady!"

When Xyla heard the crowd's murmurs, her face fell from earlier delight to one of pure humiliation.

Instantly, she put on a pitiful act. She grabbed Wendy's hand and struck her own face. "I'm sorry, Wendy! It's all my fault! You can hit me if you want. I shouldn't have misunderstood you."

"It's okay. Now that we've cleared things up, you won't misunderstand me again, will you, Xyla?" Wendy said gently as she pulled her hand away.

There wasn't a hint of blame or anger. Instead, she was incredibly understanding and friendly. Not only did she prevent Xyla from successfully playing the victim, but she also made her seem reasonable and protective of her sister.

That made it difficult for Xyla to use this as an excuse to cause trouble again.

Xyla froze for a moment. She tightly clenched her fists, and a flicker of unwillingness crossed her eyes. Then, putting on a guise of meekness, she shook her head. "No... I won't."

At this moment, Sean tightened his jaw and stepped forward. Softening his usually cold tone, he said, "This was my mistake, Ms. Wendy. I'll ensure that you receive a written apology. The train's about to leave, so let's get on board first."

He focused on Wendy's eyelashes, which held glistening tears that threatened to fall. He sincerely admitted his fault.

The pressure from public opinion was indeed effective. The typically aloof man was now humbling himself.

"Alright, no worries." Wendy wiped the tears from her cheeks and gave a small smile.

She got up from the ground, brushed off the dust from her clothes, and walked back to where they had parked.

Wyatt was ready to step in and persuade Wendy to let it slide, but he didn't expect her to be so gracious and composed.

She had a great temperament, too. If it had been any other woman misunderstood like that, they would've been crying and would not have given Sean a pleasant response.

Wyatt couldn't help but wonder why Sean had such a strong animosity toward women. Was it because Wendy wasn't interested in him?

Wyatt found that hard to believe. After glancing at Sean, he quickly stepped in to help with the luggage.

Meanwhile, Xyla limped over to Sean. "Sean, I was worried Wendy would throw a fit like she usually does at home. That's why I misunderstood her. It's all my fault," she said miserably with her head hung low.

"It's not your fault. Let's hurry up," Sean replied.

He recalled how when Wendy had lunged at him earlier, her hands landed directly on his…

His eyes narrowed. He hoped it had truly been an accident and not a deliberate attempt to take advantage of him.

Wyatt had bought the train tickets that day. Since they had to rush, there were no sleeper seats left. They ended up in coach class, where they had four seats together.

Still, it was better than standing or sitting in economy class. After all, they would be on the train for two days and one night.

Once on the train, Wendy pulled out the eggs that Victoria had given her. It was hot outside, and they couldn't keep the food uneaten for too long.

Since there were four eggs, she divided them among the four of them.

Even though Sean had pushed her away and scolded her fiercely, leaving her both furious and agitated, she had accidentally touched something she shouldn't have.

In the conservative 1980s, that was quite shocking. It was understandable why he had reacted so strongly.

Moreover, he seemed to be a virgin. He was so sensitive that he had an erection almost immediately.

Chapter 7

As for Sean's seven-year-old child, she was actually Sean's elder brother's daughter. His brother and sister-in-law were both big names in scientific research and were often "missing" due to their work.

So, he had been raising his niece as if she were his own child. That was why Wendy had to pretend she didn't notice what she touched.

After splitting the eggs among them, she pulled out the sandwich and army water bottle that Victoria had packed for her. Sitting quietly by the window, she began her lunch.

Sean eyed the egg Wendy handed him with suspicion. His lips pressed into a thin line as he hesitated.

She didn't selfishly keep all the eggs for herself. Instead, she shared them, which genuinely surprised him and made him realize he'd misjudged her based on assumptions.

However, a person's true nature wouldn't change so quickly. Such unusual behavior suggested that she might be hiding a bigger scheme.

After leaving the Stowell residence last night, Sean went to the village chief's house to verify the villagers' accounts, and everything checked out.

All he could say was that Wendy was already cunning despite her young age. To climb the social ladder in Bellmire City, she went to great lengths to put on a gentle facade.

But this was this, and that was that.

After giving Xyla his egg, he opened his blue work notebook and began writing something down with a ballpoint pen.

Wyatt knew that Sean had a habit of jotting down notes related to work. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a glance at the paper and noticed two bold words—"written apology".

Sean was actually writing an apology letter to Wendy. He always had a stern expression and drilled them hard. But who wouldn't respect and admire a leader who was strict with himself and reflected on his mistakes?

Wyatt grinned, showing his white teeth as he handed his egg back to Wendy. "Ms. Wendy, you can have this. I'm good."

"No, really…" Wendy waved her hand. But as she tried to speak, she choked on a bite of egg yolk.

Wyatt quickly opened her water bottle and handed it over.

But as he did, Sean shot him a warning glare. That look had an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. Wyatt was puzzled about what he might have done wrong.

Did Sean have feelings for Wendy and resent him for helping her?

Wyatt felt wronged as he was just being polite. He had just seen Wendy struggle with the water bottle, but she hadn't asked anyone for help, so he didn't feel it was right to ask her if she needed help.

Wendy accepted the bottle, took a sip, and felt the cool water ease her throat. Grateful, she smiled and thanked Wyatt, "Thank you, Mr. Hudson. One egg is more than enough for me."

Victoria had screwed the cap on so tightly, worried it might leak. Wendy had struggled with it earlier and planned to try again later.

Now, finally able to drink some refreshing water, she clung to the bottle and gulped down several big sips to quench her thirst.

But soon after drinking, she felt the need to use the restroom.

The train's aisles were cluttered with luggage and cages of poultry. After much effort, she finally made it to the restroom.

Upon emerging, she spotted Sean standing in the aisle. His tall and imposing figure was perfectly straight and serious, resembling a statue.

Thinking he was also waiting for the restroom, Wendy tried to pass by without making eye contact.

"Here's my apology letter, Ms. Wendy. Please read it over and let me know if there's anything I need to add or correct." Sean's expression remained cold and impassive as he handed her the paper covered in his neat handwriting.

Wendy was surprised, not expecting him to really write her an apology letter. "You've already apologized, Mr. Horton. There's no need to be this formal."

However, Sean remained expressionless as he extended the apology letter forward with determination. "Apologizing is one thing, but recognizing my mistake is another. If I make a mistake, I must reflect and address it promptly."

He was as strict and upright as they came.

Wendy had no choice but to take the paper. Her freshly washed hands left a slight smudge on the crisp sheet.

As Sean looked at her fair hands, he was suddenly reminded of how they had touched him earlier. But he quickly forced the thought away.

"Xyla told me you took the letters I wrote to her. Please return them," he spoke again. His voice carried a chill that felt both oppressive and unyielding.

He had only recently learned of this. Xyla was too scared to confront Wendy herself, so she approached him about it.

Sean had known Xyla for half a year and had written her only four or five letters. The content was as dull and rigid as a report. They were written in a tone reminiscent of an old man urging her to study harder and stay fit.

This was also one of the reasons why the original Wendy wasn't interested in Sean.

However, those letters were long gone. The original Wendy burned them in a stove right in front of Xyla, who had even tried to save them.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was all part of Xyla's scheme.

Realizing she couldn't gain the upper hand, she seized the opportunity while Wendy was in the restroom to tear down the graceful image Wendy had just established in front of Wyatt. Her goal was to expose Wendy's true, ugly self to everyone.

Wendy's plans for attending school in Bellmire City were clear. Besides securing a stable, well-paying job, she also aimed to cut off ties with people who knew the original Wendy. She wanted to create a new social circle where no one knew her history.

After all, in the conservative and isolated 1980s, the fact that the original Wendy almost caused a life-threatening incident just to win over a man would lead to a lifetime of gossip and judgment. This would severely impact her future.

Sean and the entire Horton family were on her list of people she planned to cut ties with, so she admitted it openly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Horton, but I've already burned those letters. Xyla..."

She wanted to say that Xyla knew about that. But before Wendy could finish, Sean's gaze darkened, and he coldly turned to leave. His silhouette was sharp and imposing as he walked away. It was clear he had no interest in hearing the rest.

Wendy didn't mind. She had already seen his aloofness in previous interactions.

When she returned to her seat, Wyatt glanced at her with a hint of curiosity but still gave her a friendly smile, which she returned.

The train finally pulled into Bellmire City at 7:30 pm. It was dark outside, and rain had started to fall.

…

At the military base, the Horton residence was quiet.

As headlights shone through the colored glass of the second-floor windows, Jacob Horton, who was reading a newspaper on the couch, knew that Sean had arrived with the Stowell sisters.

Sitting across from him, the gray-haired matriarch, Moira Tucket, glanced out the window as well. "They're here," she said calmly before returning to her newspaper.

The topic of Wendy coming to Bellmire City for school had caused a fierce argument between Jacob and his wife, Linda Sutherland.

Linda was adamant that a girl who had nearly killed her own sister should not be allowed to attend school in Bellmire City, much less live with the Horton family.

Chapter 8

Jacob felt helpless as well. He knew that with the rural areas' traditional and conservative mindset, Wendy would have no way out if she didn't transfer to Bellmire City for school.

He also understood that Wendy's real reason for coming to Bellmire City wasn't just for her studies but was here to find someone to marry since she couldn't return home.

He had thought about having Sean marry her. But Linda, usually gentle and composed, was so furious she returned to her parents' house, leaving Jacob to deal with the mess he had created on his own.

Wendy was drenched in the rain. Her hair was clinging to her forehead.

As she followed Sean into the Horton residence with her backpack, she immediately sensed the heavy and oppressive atmosphere. She forced a slight smile, mentally preparing herself.

On the other hand, Xyla seemed much more excited than Wendy.

Looking at the bright and spacious living room, she was like a country girl entering a grand mansion for the first time, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet. Her eyes were filled with awe, and she instinctively moved closer to Sean.

The clean white walls were decorated with beautiful posters and several picture frames. The people in the photos wore military uniforms and had stern looks. This showed that the family had a long military heritage.

On the reddish-brown cabinet by the wall were a console TV and a double cassette recorder, both covered with a white lace cloth.

A standing fan with blue blades oscillated back and forth in front of the wooden couch with a rattan seat cover. When it turned to Xyla, it sent a refreshing breeze her way.

She could hardly believe how luxurious Sean's home was. The thought of herself living in this two-story house if she married Sean made her eyes sparkle with excitement.

"Grandma, Dad, I'm back. This is Ms. Wendy and Xyla." Sean put down Xyla's backpack and introduced them to the two people sitting on the couch.

He then looked around the living room but didn't see Linda or his niece. "Did Mom take Sadie to bed?"

"Welcome back. The school sent your mom on a business trip to another state for a few days, and she took Sadie with her." Jacob made up an excuse as he looked at the two sisters.

Even without Sean's introduction, he immediately recognized Wendy among them.

17 years ago, when he was on a mission near Riverbend Village, he was bitten by a poisonous snake in the woods. It was Melvin who had carried him back and treated him with herbal medicine, saving his life.

At that time, Wendy was not even a year old. That chubby baby with bright eyes would giggle at him. She was truly adorable.

She would even feed him water from a mug and call him "mister" in her sweet baby voice. She was so endearing that he had wanted to ask Melvin if he could raise her as his own.

After returning to the army, he had always wanted a daughter, but though one was born, she unfortunately passed away at a young age.

When Sean graduated from military school, he was assigned to Northallow but was transferred back to Bellmire City this year to serve as the captain.

Jacob immediately thought about repaying the Stowell family's kindness by arranging a match between Sean and Wendy.

If they got along, great. If not, he could still bring Wendy to Bellmire City, arrange a job for her, and help her settle down. He would ensure that the Horton family could look after her.

However, the letters Sean sent went unanswered. Jacob only found out when the Stowells wrote back, explaining the situation.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Horton Senior and Mr. Horton. Thank you for letting me stay here while I study in Bellmire City." Wendy stepped forward calmly and greeted them with a polite bow despite Jacob's sharp and authoritative gaze.

Her fluent Bellmire dialect, paired with her gentle tone, made Moira, who had been sitting with her head down, adjust her glasses to look Wendy up and down. "Are you Xyla?"

Xyla quickly spoke up, "Mrs. Horton Senior, Mr. Horton, I'm Xyla. Thank you for letting me stay here while I attend a vocational school in Bellmire City."

But as a country girl unfamiliar with the outside world, her voice was timid. She stuttered nervously as she tried to mimic Wendy's words. Despite her attempts to speak the Bellmire dialect, her strong rural roots still came through.

Both Moira and Jacob exchanged glances of surprise. This was clearly different from what Sean had told them over the phone.

"Mr. Horton, thank you for always looking out for us over the years. Three years ago, during the severe drought in our village, if it hadn't been for the ten pounds of grain you sent, Xyla and I might have had to drop out of school.

"We're also really grateful for the chance to study in Bellmire City. I brought you some tea leaves that my mom, my two brothers, and I picked early this morning. It's just a small token of our appreciation. I hope you enjoy it."

Wendy set down her backpack and took out two tins, placing them neatly on the coffee table. She maintained a composed and gracious smile the entire time.

This contrasted sharply with Xyla's nervous, fidgety demeanor as she anxiously clutched at her clothes.

Originally, Melvin and Victoria had prepared bags of homegrown corn, peanuts, and potatoes. But these items were too heavy and, more importantly, not suitable for the prestigious Horton family.

If there were no impressive gifts to present, the focus would be on conveying heartfelt intentions.

They chose tea leaves, which were not only easy to carry but also sounded nice to mention, especially since they were picked early in the morning.

"Thank you. But if it weren't for your dad, I wouldn't be here today." Jacob looked at Wendy with a hint of appreciation and curiosity.

He then turned to Sean, silently asking whether this Wendy was the same person he had described on the phone.

Sean raised an eyebrow upon hearing Wendy's fluent Bellmire dialect. Throughout the journey, she had spoken in her local dialect. He had never heard her use the Bellmire dialect before.

Her confident and polite demeanor didn't match the image of a girl from a poor rural area. She seemed more like someone from an educated, middle-class family.

He looked at Wendy with a hint of curiosity in his gaze. Yet, he firmly believed that a person's true nature would not change.

"Take a seat. Martha, bring two clean, warm towels for them." Moira gestured for them to sit down with a stern expression.

Xyla tensed up. Seeing how Wendy, whom she had always considered inferior, behaved so gracefully and politely, she feared making a mistake. She mimicked Wendy's actions, approaching the chair and sitting down straight.

"Thank you, Martha." Wendy accepted the towel from Martha Tabor, the Horton family's housekeeper, and expressed her gratitude with sincerity in her eyes.

"Don't mention it." Martha's face lit up at Wendy's gentle and soft voice, leaving her with a favorable impression.

"Thank you, Martha," Xyla also said, but her voice remained timid and soft, giving off a modest impression.

Martha thought that the Stowell sisters seemed quite nice. The only difference was that one was timid, lacking her sister's confident presence.

After bringing them each a cup of water, Martha headed to the kitchen to start cooking.

Chapter 9

"Wendy, your Bellmire dialect is so fluent. Your grades must be excellent. What's your class ranking?" Moira adjusted her reading glasses.

Even at over 70 years old, this veteran revolutionary, who had risen from the ashes of turmoil, spoke with a steady voice and sharp gaze. It was as if she were a mirror that could reveal one's true self in an instant.

The original Wendy had done well in middle school, but once high school began, her focus shifted away from academics. Hence, her grades plummeted.

As Wendy pondered her response, Sean handed over her transfer documents, which included not only her final exam scores but also comments from her homeroom teacher.

Moira took a quick look and thought she might be mistaken. She removed her reading glasses and looked again. The report card displayed Xyla's results.

"Mathematics: 9

Chemistry: 23

Language: 54

Foreign Language: 3"

The remarks in the behavior section noted, "Lacks intrinsic motivation and self-discipline, poor time management, easily distracted, and shows a lack of commitment to studies. Was late 15 times and skipped class five times. Recommended for withdrawal."

After reading it, Moira passed it to Jacob. He was usually unruffled, but his lips quivered slightly as he glanced at the grades. He quickly placed the report on the table.

But it didn't matter. After all, Wendy wasn't really here to study, so her grades didn't matter much. It was fine as long as she could graduate from high school.

Xyla looked at the report card with scorn and sarcasm, nearly laughing out loud. No matter how polite and eloquent Wendy had been before entering, this report card slapped her in the face.

Xyla straightened her back, tilted her chin slightly, and pretended to speak for Wendy. "Mrs. Horton Senior, Mr. Horton, it's possible that Wendy was sick during that time, which affected her final exams. She usually does quite well in her studies."

Xyla was right. The original Wendy had indeed been unwell at the time because she had deliberately caused Xyla to be trampled by a rampaging bull in an attempt to steal Sean.

When the adults found out, they beat the original Wendy with a wooden stick, hitting her head in the process. For a while after that, she had been vomiting and feeling dizzy.

This caused the original Wendy to suffer a mild concussion and lose her memory of that day. Wendy still had no idea what had happened, how the original Wendy had tied the red cloth to Xyla's back, or how she had provoked the bull. All she remembered were fragmented images of being beaten.

Seeing Xyla's injured right leg, Moira and Jacob quickly understood what Xyla meant by Wendy's illness and looked at her with pity and affection.

They felt that Xyla was such a thoughtful child. Despite nearly being harmed by her sister, she still stood up for her.

"Xyla, I remember you and Wendy are only a year apart. How is it that she is in the second year of high school, while you just graduated middle school?" Moira asked, her stern gaze softening.

"There was a lot of work at home, and my dad was having back problems, so I took two years off school to help the family," Xyla replied modestly.

This made Moira and Jacob feel even more sympathetic. They looked at the tall, fair Wendy, contrasting sharply with Xyla, who appeared dark and thin. It was clear that Xyla had endured a lot at home.

This confirmed that Wendy was lazy at home, leaving all the farm and household chores to the frail Xyla.

For a moment, all attention shifted to Xyla.

"To take two years off and still get into a vocational school is impressive," Moira said, breaking her usual serious demeanor with a rare smile. "What was your rank in the county?"

In this era, vocational schools held more prestige than today's top-tier universities. Only the top 40 in the county could gain admission, followed by junior colleges and finally high school.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Horton Senior. I didn't do very well and only ranked 29th in the county," Xyla replied while biting her lip in feigned modesty.

With her back straightened, she no longer appeared nervous or awkward like when she first walked in. Instead, she casually glanced at Wendy with eyes sparkling with a hint of pride and triumph.

"Getting 29th in the county after taking two years off school is quite an achievement." Jacob nodded appreciatively.

Both the Stowell sisters were commendable—one clever and considerate, the other poised and confident. From Wendy's demeanor, she seemed the complete opposite of what Sean had described over the phone.

Everything unfolded just as Wendy had anticipated. She quietly sat nearby and used the towel to wipe the rain from her face and neck. She just blinked as she listened to Moira and Jacob praise Xyla.

The overhead fluorescent light illuminated her freshly wiped, youthful face, casting a soft glow that made her look innocent.

She folded the towel neatly with her delicate, fair hands. Her fingers were slender and polished, with a faint hint of pink at the tips.

Sean glanced down at her. His gaze lingered on her hands before he quickly averted his eyes.

"Grandma, Dad, I need to report back to work. I'll take Xyla to the hospital tomorrow to treat her leg." After saying that, Sean took a long stride upstairs to grab something.

When he returned, he held a brand-new, deep brown leather suitcase, elegantly packaged with aluminum strips and a lock. "Xyla, this suitcase is a gift for you as a back-to-school present."

It was a truly exquisite item. Only affluent city students could afford such high-quality goods.

Stunned, Xyla covered her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief. It felt like a dream to her. She quickly replied, "No, Sean. This is too precious. I can't accept it."

"You can take this suitcase to the dorm when you move in. A backpack isn't as convenient. This one has a lock, so you can secure your belongings." Sean stepped past Wendy to place the suitcase in front of Xyla.

Xyla couldn't help but caress the suitcase. Her cheeks flushed as she looked at Sean with shyness and delight.

"Don't be shy, Xyla. Just accept it. You've earned it by getting into a vocational school. From now on, consider this place your home. Come back to stay on weekends during breaks."

Jacob knew that Sean saw Xyla only as a sister. The way Sean looked at Xyla lacked the typical scrutiny a man would have for a woman. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just given her one gift. There should have been something more.

Moreover, he felt the two were not suited for each other.

Perhaps it was the way Wendy carried herself with such grace and poise when the Stowell sisters first entered that made him realize he should find Sean a partner from a cultured, well-educated background.

One was tough, while the other was gentle. Together, they would complement each other perfectly.

Chapter 10

"Thank you, Sean," Xyla said sweetly.

"Oh, Xyla, I've also prepared a gift for you to celebrate your admission into the vocational school." Jacob then had Sean bring over a fountain pen made overseas from his study.

Xyla carefully opened the box. Inside was a silver fountain pen with a sleek, polished appearance that shone with a metallic gleam. It felt comfortable in her hand, firm yet not slippery.

"Thank you, Mr. Horton. I-I will study hard." Xyla imitated Wendy's respectful manner when she entered, bowing deeply.

Her excitement was evident as she held the pen in one hand and the suitcase in the other. It was as if she was afraid they might be taken away.

Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she turned to Jacob and asked, "What about Wendy?"

At once, the joyful atmosphere became tense.

"Don't worry, Wendy. I'll also prepare a gift for you when you graduate high school." Jacob smiled gently with eyes full of encouragement.

He wasn't expecting her to go to university. He just hoped she could finish high school.

Smiling, Wendy nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Horton."

Everything was just like in the viral web serial. Though she didn't come to the Horton residence as Jacob's daughter-in-law this time, the gifts given to Xyla for school were the same.

In the serial, the original Wendy, who didn't receive any gifts, made a scene. That only made Sean more annoyed with her and left the Horton family deeply disappointed.

"Grandma, Dad, I need to go now," Sean said before casting a glance at Wendy. He wondered if she would continue to be this gentle and elegant after he left.

Moira and Jacob nodded, and Martha brought in the dishes.

Just as Sean was about to leave, the door opened from the outside. A young man in his 20s, carrying a bag with two watermelons, walked in as if he were very familiar with the place.

When he saw Sean at the door, he looked surprised. "Sean, you're back. How did the blind date go? Is my future cousin-in-law pretty?"

As he spoke, he turned and saw the blushing Xyla standing in front of the couch. His gaze lingered for a moment before shifting to Wendy behind her. The disappointment in his eyes quickly transformed into admiration.

His face reddened slightly, and he naturally assumed Wendy was Sean's date. "Sean, your fiancée is so pretty. She's even more beautiful than the campus belle from my university."

This was Sean's cousin, Simon Murphy, who had just turned 20 this year. Seeing such a beautiful "cousin-in-law", he fumbled with the bag in his hand.

"Simon, this is Wendy Stowell and her younger sister, Xyla Stowell. They're like Sean's sisters and will be staying with us while they attend school. Wendy is here for high school in Bellmire City, and Xyla has been accepted into a vocational school."

Jacob made it clear that the two were just sister figures to Sean. He continued with the introductions, saying, "This is Sean's cousin, Simon Murphy. He'll be starting his second year at Southgate University.

"Wendy, if you need help with your studies, Simon can help you. Luxor High, the school you're transferring to, is Simon's alma mater. His mom is the grade-level dean there."

"Hi, Simon. I'm Wendy. My sister, Xyla, is Mr. Horton's date," Wendy clarified softly.

The viral web serial had mentioned Simon. He felt sympathetic toward Xyla and often defended her due to the original Wendy's antics.

Realizing he had mistaken Sean's date, Simon felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him, and his blush deepened.

"Hi, Simon. I'm Xyla. Are you actually a university student? That's amazing! I really need to learn from you," Xyla said with a sweet smile, her eyes full of admiration.

Yet, her grip on the pen box tightened as she felt frustrated. She was determined to send Wendy back to their hometown eventually. As long as Wendy was here, she would always be overlooked.

"No, I was only able to get into university because my mom pushed me hard. You're amazing too, getting into a vocational school." Simon seemed flustered by the compliment, but his eyes wandered to Wendy again without him knowing.

He found it strange. Wendy was clearly prettier. Why wasn't she the one matched with Sean?

"Why are you here so late?" As Sean observed his actions, his gaze turned sharp.

"My mom asked me to bring some watermelons," Simon replied. Both he and Sean lived in the same military base, with his father serving as a deputy division chief of staff.

"Leave the watermelons here. Let's go." Sean grabbed the bag from Simon and set it down before leading him out.

"What?" Simon had just arrived and hadn't even had a sip of water yet. "I haven't even greeted Grandma and Uncle Jacob. Why are you rushing me?"

"Simon, focus on your studies during the summer break and participate in some social practice activities. Don't come around here too often," Sean sternly warned him.

Sean recalled Wendy's words about wanting to find a young, attractive partner within three months. She seemed disinterested in him because of his age and the fact that he had a child.

In contrast, Simon was exactly the type she was looking for.

"Why? Uncle Jacob just asked me to help Wendy with her homework," Simon said, confused.

"Aunt Alexandra is the grade-level dean there, so Ms. Wendy can ask her for help if she needs it. If she comes to you, ignore her. You may be a university student now, but you must still maintain appropriate boundaries between men and women.

"Ms. Wendy is still young and might not understand, but you should know better." Sean didn't elaborate too much on his point.

Simon nodded, seeing some sense in Sean's words. Previously, when Jacob and Linda were away at work, only Moira and Sadie were at home. Now, with two new girls in the house, he understood he needed to keep a respectful distance.

But he suddenly remembered that the name he had heard his mom, Alexandra Horton, mention before was Wendy.

Jacob had always praised his future daughter-in-law for being adorable and chubby as a child, insisting she would grow up to be a beauty. Xyla didn't seem to fit that description at all.

"Sean, didn't Uncle Jacob say your date's name was Wendy? Why is it Xyla now?" Simon asked in confusion.

Sean halted and stated firmly, "They're both just my sister figures. They're only staying at the Horton residence temporarily for school."

Simon quickly caught on and joked, "Is it because you're too strict that Wendy isn't interested in you?

"She's so beautiful and speaks so softly. She must have many admirers. She's just like the campus belle at my university, always popular in school. You're always wearing that stern face…"

Sean's expression suddenly darkened. Frowning, he fixed a sharp gaze on Simon. "Simon! Remember what I just said. You're not allowed to come here while I'm not home.

"Keep a distance from both of the ladies, especially Ms. Wendy. If I catch you getting too close to her, you'll be doing 100 hanging leg raises."

His cold warning carried an undeniable authority.