Chapter 3

At the farewell party, Damian held his glass, listening to the compliments and resentments of his colleagues.

"Asher Thorne is such a calculator, isn't he? When it's a matter of life or death, he pretends not to be the Dean's son, but when it's about stealing someone's girl, he suddenly remembers his Thorne name! He's nothing but a coward!"

"His own brother is practically going to die, and he's still trying to steal his woman. What's the difference between him and an animal?!"

The electronic screen at the venue only announced a farewell for "Dean Thorne's son heading to Antarctica," without specifying a name.

The man who was speaking hadn't expected me to appear. He froze for a few seconds, then defiantly stuck out his neck.

"What are you looking at? Damian is just better than you, brother. I heard you grew up in the countryside, right? No wonder you're such a turtle, hiding your head!"

Someone else chimed in:

"Exactly! They say a tiger doesn't sire a dog, but his mother's son won't even go to Antarctica! It's a disgrace to Dean Thorne and Mr. Thorne's genes!"

Damian strode forward, calling me over at the entrance to the hall.

"Mom said you volunteered to go to Antarctica to die. You're pretty sensible, you know? Valentina loves me so much, if I die in Antarctica, won't she be heartbroken and mourn for me forever?"

"I'm so generous, giving you the chance to make history at the institute, but if colleagues think otherwise, there's nothing I can do…"

"I guess I'll just burn more offerings for you when you die, as a thank you for looking after my wife all these years~"

I gave a sarcastic smile, looking at him meaningfully.

"You going there would definitely be a death sentence. But why would it be for me?"

"You barely scraped by with those 'graduate' degrees, thinking you're better than me, the specially recruited top student from the National Institute of Advanced Sciences? Mom pulled strings for you behind the scenes, and you actually believe your scores caught up to mine?"

Before I could finish, he suddenly stumbled backward dramatically, feigning alarm.

"Brother, even if I shouldn't be so close to Valentina, you shouldn't…"

Just by the sound of footsteps, I knew it was Valentina. I was about to turn.

A fiery slap landed on my face. Before I could recover, another hit the other cheek.

Valentina shielded Damian like a mother hen protecting her chick, the fury in her eyes almost solid.

"I truly underestimated you!"

"Damian is going to Antarctica for everyone's sake! Are you trying to get him killed by targeting him at this crucial moment?!"

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

"Shut up!"

Valentina raised her voice, her gaze like daggers.

"You've always been timid, avoiding the Antarctic expedition. That's one thing. But your brother is going to such a dangerous place in your stead, and not only do you show no gratitude, you try to harm him!"

"You ungrateful wretch, I should've just let those kids beat you to death back then! You're a stain on Father's legacy!"

My body stiffened, and I struggled to regulate my breathing.

I couldn't hear anything, only saw her lips moving.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sharp tug on the cord around my neck.

I lifted my bloodshot eyes, staring intently at the amulet Valentina was shoving into Damian's hand.

"What are you doing?!"

Damian whimpered, "Anyway, I'm going to Antarctica. Can't you just let me have this, big brother? I just want Dad's blessing and protection…"

My eyes never left Valentina's expression.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten what this amulet means to me!"

Valentina's face paled. Seeing Damian’s wounded expression, she stepped forward and grabbed my arm.

"Damian is leaving for Antarctica soon, this is for national interest, don't be so petty!"

"You're both Mr. Thorne's sons, he wouldn't mind if I used it to bless Damian…"

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

I shook off Valentina's hand and reached for Damian.

With a sharp rip, the amulet tore in half.

Damian murmured, "I didn't mean it!", but his eyes, facing me, gleamed with triumph.

I was about to throw a punch.

Valentina pulled out her scalpel, pointing the tip at my forehead.

This was the second time she'd aimed a lab scalpel at me.

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

"Do you believe I'll report you for insulting a national hero?!"

I gave a bitter laugh, pulled a vial of corrosive reagent from my uniform pocket, and rattled it, showing her the serial number.

Watching her panicked expression, I thought of our previous life, how we were glaring at each other, hating each other's guts, practically wishing the other dead.

Through my blurring vision, I thought I saw her final look when she pushed me.

I reached out, trying to grasp the hand hanging beneath the ice and snow –

*Pffft!*

My tear-blurred eyes fixated on the spreading red. Valentina let go, staring blankly at the scalpel plunged into my chest.

Just like every confrontation in my past life, she always went for the kill, while I always pulled my punches.

Valentina's gaze swept over the reagent vial rolling on the ground. She broke down.

"Asher! Don't you hate me?"

"Why did you stop?! Weren't you trying to die with me?!"

Hearing those familiar words, I pressed my hand to my chest, supporting myself as I stumbled towards the door.

But I couldn't stand steadily, and fell into an embrace filled with a heavy lychee scent.

The cold wetness dripping onto my neck only made me feel colder.