Melissa bit her crimson lips in refusal, though hesitation flickered unmistakably in her eyes.
"If my brother finds out, I’m dead meat."
Her brother usually doted on her.
But when angered, he showed no mercy in punishment.
"It’s just you, me, and Sinclair here,"
Calvin arched an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his gaze.
"If we don’t talk, how would Taylor ever know?"
Lowering his voice with a hint of persuasion, he added,
"Besides, given their relationship, they’re probably discussing Taylor’s condition rather than personal matters."
His tone took on a coaxing edge.
"Aren’t you afraid Taylor might ask Camilla to hide the truth about his illness from us?"
"...I am," Melissa nodded, gnawing at her lip. "That’s exactly what I’m afraid of."
For years, her brother had always avoided elaborating on his health.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Calvin cast a sidelong glance at Melissa before leisurely picking up his teacup, his tone nonchalant.
"If you hear them discussing anything other than Taylor’s condition, just come back."
Sinclair’s fingers paused briefly around his teacup, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
Worried about Taylor, Melissa hesitated for a moment before finally rising from his seat.
"Fine, I’ll just take a quick listen.
If they’re talking about something else, I’ll be right back.
And you two—act like you know nothing, got it?" Sinclair ignored her.
Calvin, on the other hand, gave a careless nod.
Taking a deep breath, Melissa tiptoed forward, moving as quietly as possible toward the study.
His exaggerated caution and furtive demeanor practically screamed "sneaking around."
Seems like not only has his height barely changed over the years—his IQ hasn’t grown much either.
Leaning back on the sofa, Calvin watched Melissa’s retreating figure with amusement before shaking his head in silent laughter.
In his heart, Melissa had always been like a little sister to him.
Just looking at her would inevitably bring to mind the image of her tear-streaked face, frightened to the point of sniveling by a single glare from Sinclair.
Of course, Calvin saw it all too clearly.
Melissa’s affection for him stemmed solely from the fact that her world revolved around just the three of them.
Taylor was her older brother, but he played more of a fatherly role in her life.
As for Sinclair, she had been terrified of him since childhood.
In the end, her gaze naturally settled on him.
But this kind of fondness had nothing to do with romantic love.
Not only did he see it clearly, but Sinclair and Taylor understood it just as well.
Melissa tiptoed to the study door, pressing her body against the wall and holding her breath as she strained to listen for any sounds inside.
Perhaps the soundproofing was too effective—there wasn’t a single noise to be heard.
Then, throwing caution to the wind, she leaned her entire body against the door, pressing her ear tightly against the wood.
Sure enough, Taylor’s voice drifted out in fragments.
But before she could make out the words, the study door suddenly swung open from the inside.
That was the only thought that flashed through Melissa’s mind in that split second.
Earlier, in her eagerness to eavesdrop clearly, she’d leaned her entire weight against the door.
When it suddenly swung open, she couldn’t react in time.
Losing her balance completely, she tumbled forward face-first.
Taylor, who had opened the door, barely had time to react before watching his sister perform an undignified belly flop right at his and Camilla’s feet.
Even with the carpet cushioning her fall, a dull ache radiated through Melissa’s entire body from head to toe.
She bit her lip hard, not daring to cry out in pain.
This is it! I’m done for!
Camilla sounded genuinely startled.
"What on earth are you doing?"
Camilla raised her beautiful eyes, glancing at the two figures in the living room.
Sinclair gazed at her with a faint expression, though his eyes softened slightly.
Meanwhile, Calvin’s attention was fixed on Melissa, his lips curling into an unrestrained smirk that he could barely suppress.
Understanding flashed in Camilla’s eyes.
No wonder Melissa dared to eavesdrop right under their noses.
Melissa clenched her teeth, refusing to answer or move.
How could she possibly admit she was here to spy?
If only she hadn’t listened to Calvin in the first place.
Now she’d made a complete fool of herself in front of everyone!
Taylor pressed his lips together, his expression stern as he stared at her.
Was her brother really going to scold her in front of all these people?
Melissa stiffened slightly at the tone in Taylor’s voice.
Without hesitation, she squeezed her eyes shut and pretended to faint.
Taylor watched his sister lie motionless, knowing glint flashing in his eyes as he spoke slowly.
"Camilla, looks like I’ll have to trouble you to wake my sister up with some acupuncture needles."
Acupuncture needles?!
Melissa’s breath hitched.
Understanding Taylor’s intention, Camilla curled her lips into a smirk.
"Sure, I’ll go get them ready."
As she spoke, she brushed past Melissa and headed toward the living room.
Sinclair remained silent, but the intensity in his deep-set eyes was unmistakable—
Camilla’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she obediently walked over.
A faint smirk tugged at Sinclair’s lips before his long, powerful arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
As soon as Melissa heard Camilla’s footsteps fade into the distance, she immediately opened her eyes.
She’d just witnessed Sister Camilla’s acupuncture skills firsthand—no way was she going to end up like a human pincushion like her brother had.
"Oww, why does my head hurt so much?"
Rubbing her throbbing forehead, Melissa scrambled up from the floor and shot her brother an ingratiating look.
"Brother, what happened to me?"
Taylor’s expression remained impassive as still water.
"Keep pretending, and I’ll have you thrown out."
Melissa immediately pressed her lips together, not daring to utter another word.
Taylor fixed her with a stern gaze.
"Stand right there and face the wall to reflect on your actions."
Melissa protested, mortified that Sinclair and the others were still present to witness this humiliation.
Calvin couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Only then did Melissa belatedly realize—it was those two who had egged her on to eavesdrop in the first place!
"Brother, it’s not my fault," she declared, adhering to the principle of self-preservation over loyalty, as she pointed accusingly at Sinclair and Calvin.
"It was them—" Sinclair lifted his gaze, his cool eyes settling on her. Melissa gulped, then resolutely redirected her finger toward Calvin.