Chapter 4

At the send-off party, Brandon stood, glass in hand, soaking in the mix of colleagues' fawning praise and barely concealed resentment.

The electronic screen in the hall only read, "Farewell to Director Chen's Son, Journeying to Antarctica," without specifying a name.

The person speaking hadn’t expected me to show up.

He paused for a few seconds, then stubbornly continued, "What are you looking at? Brandon is just better than you, his older brother! I heard you grew up in the countryside, right? No wonder you're such a coward!"

Someone else chimed in, "Exactly! They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but *this* guy is too chicken to even go to Antarctica! It's a damn insult to Director Hayes's and Mr. Hayes's legacy!"

Brandon strode forward, calling out to me by the entrance.

"Mom said you *volunteered* for this suicide mission in Antarctica. Smart move. Scarlett loves me so much, if I died down there, would she be so heartbroken she'd live the rest of her life as my devoted widow?"

"I'm being so generous, giving you this chance to make history for the Institute. But if our colleagues want to think that, what can I do…?"

"I guess I'll just have to make sure to throw a bigger party when you're gone, to thank you for 'looking after' my wife all these years~"

I scoffed, giving him a pointed, knowing look.

"You going is certainly a suicide mission. But why would it be for me?"

"You barely scraped by with your master's and doctorate, and now you think you're better than me—a direct recruit, top of my class at the National Academy? Mom's been covering for you, cheating you through every assessment. Did you actually believe your scores were anywhere near mine?"

Before I could finish, he suddenly staggered backward, feigning alarm. "Brother, even if I shouldn't be so close to Scarlett, you shouldn't…"

The sound of footsteps was all it took; I knew it was Scarlett. I was about to turn.

A burning slap landed across my face. Before I could even register it, another one followed on the other side. Scarlett shielded Brandon behind her like a mother hen protecting her chick, the fury in her eyes almost solid.

"I truly underestimated you!"

"Brandon is going to Antarctica for everyone's sake! And at this critical moment, you target him? Are you trying to get him killed?"

I shook my head. "There are security cameras here, you…"

"Shut up!"

Scarlett’s voice rose, her eyes like daggers.

"You've always been a cowering coward, running from the Antarctic expedition.

Fine! But your brother is going to such a dangerous place in your stead, and you not only show no gratitude, you try to harm him!"

"An ungrateful snake like you! I shouldn't have saved you back then; I should've just let those kids beat you to death!"

"You're nothing but a stain on Mr. Hayes's legacy!"

My body went rigid, my breath catching in my throat. I couldn't hear anything, only saw her lips moving.

But the lanyard around my neck was violently yanked, snapping me out of my daze.

I raised my bloodshot eyes, staring intently at the good luck talisman Scarlett shoved into Brandon's hand.

"What are you doing?!"

Brandon whined piteously, "I'm going to Antarctica anyway, Ash, can't you just let me have this? I just wanted Dad's blessing and protection…"

My eyes never left her face, watching Scarlett's expression intently.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten what that talisman means to me!"

Scarlett's face paled. Seeing Brandon's hurt expression, she stepped forward and grabbed my arm.

"Brandon is leaving for Antarctica soon, Ash! This is about national interest! Don't be so petty!"

"We're both Mr. Hayes's sons. I just wanted it to protect Brandon. Mr. Hayes wouldn't mind…"

"After the wedding, I'll buy you ten, a hundred talismans to make up for it, okay?"

I shook off Scarlett's hand, reaching for Brandon. With a sharp rip, the talisman tore into two halves.

Brandon mumbled, "I didn't mean to!" but the smug triumph in his eyes, fixed on me, was unmistakable.

I was about to throw a punch when Scarlett pulled out her scalpel, pointing the tip directly at my forehead. This was the second time she'd used her lab scalpel on me.

"Didn't you hear Brandon say it was an accident?"

"Do you really want me to report you for insulting a national hero?!"

I let out a bitter laugh, then pulled the corrosive chemical vial from my uniform pocket and rattled it, deliberately showing her the identification number.

Watching her panic, my mind flashed back to our past life, how we constantly glowered at each other, each wishing the other dead.

Through my hazy vision, I almost saw the look in her eyes as she pushed me, for the very last time.

Thwack! Through my tear-blurred vision, I watched the spreading crimson.

Scarlett's hand went slack, her gaze fixated on the scalpel now buried in my chest.

Just like every bitter confrontation in our past life, she was always the one going for the kill, and I, always the one holding back.

Clutching my chest, I tried to support myself, stumbling towards the door. But my legs gave out, and I fell back into a welcoming embrace, filled with the sweet scent of jasmine.

The dampness trickling onto my neck felt unnervingly cold.