Chapter 2The Spoiler Effect

Bankrupt? Fighting dogs for food?!

Absolutely not.

I spent years catering to Tyler’s every whim just to secure a comfortable future. I did not put in all that emotional labor to end up homeless!

I needed to save my future. Immediately.

My survival instincts kicked into overdrive. I plastered on the sweetest, most sugary smile I could muster and launched myself at Sebastian, wrapping him in a bear hug.

"This brother is so handsome! I like him!"

I held on tight, my voice dripping with syrup. "I'm Chloe. Welcome home, big brother!"

He went rigid.

The icy mask on his face finally cracked. I could feel his confusion, his hesitation as his hand hovered awkwardly over my back.

I snickered internally and grabbed his hand, dragging him toward the dining room. "Brother, you're too skinny! This won't do. Dinner is ready, you need to eat a lot and get strong!"

The floating comments went wild: [??? What is happening? Did the villainess get possessed?] [She’s definitely plotting something. She’s Tyler’s number one lackey. In the book, she tortures the MC.]

At the dinner table, Mom’s favoritism was blatant. She piled all the expensive dishes in front of Tyler and me.

In front of Sebastian? A plate of stir-fried spinach.

Even Mom felt a little awkward. She picked up a piece of glazed salmon. "Sebastian, try this. It's delicious."

Sebastian glanced at it. "I don't eat fish. I'm allergic to seafood."

Mom froze, embarrassed. She silently moved the salmon to Tyler’s bowl. "Ty, you've been studying hard. You eat it."

Tyler grinned. "Thanks, Mom. I love salmon. Can we have it tomorrow too?"

Then, he pivoted, smiling maliciously at me. "By the way, Mom, Chloe was just telling me how much she wanted a massive seafood feast tomorrow. Right, Chloe?"

The comments exploded: [This guy is such a snake. He knows Sebastian is allergic and he's doing this on purpose.] [I can't wait until they're broke on the streets.] [Especially the sister. Pretty, homeless, and alone... her ending in the book is brutal. She gets targeted by...]

I stopped reading.

The food in my mouth turned to ash.

My survival instinct roared. I put down my chopsticks, wiped my mouth, and grabbed Mom’s arm, shaking it like a toddler.

"But Mom! I don't want seafood anymore! I really want sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy tofu, and truffle chicken soup!"

I batted my eyelashes. "Mommy, please? Can we have those instead?"

Mom ate it up. She tapped my nose affectionately. "Okay, okay. Whatever our little glutton wants."

Tyler’s face went dark. He hadn't expected me to go off-script and save Sebastian.

I pretended not to notice and shoveled rice into my mouth.

Honestly? I felt guilty. My muscle memory wanted to agree with Tyler. I was wired to please him.

But I was more afraid of sleeping under a bridge.

After dinner, Mom showed Sebastian to his room. It was right next to mine.

I thought I could finally sleep, but the damn text floated up again: [Unbelievable. Tyler poured water on Sebastian’s bed. What a jerk.] [It’s freezing at night right now. He’s trying to make him sick.] [It's fine. Just imagine them shivering in a cardboard box later. Karma is coming.]