The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

The month-long military training quickly came to an end, and in the blink of an eye, it was the holiday season.

On the first day of the holiday, David and Paul, along with a group of old classmates, attended Nancy’s wedding. The venue was the city’s top-tier hotel, and guests from all walks of life were gathered there.

It was said that the groom’s family had either invited politicians or tycoons. The wedding scene was decorated with romance and luxury, with the groom holding Nancy’s hand and whispering softly in her ear, presenting a picture of a loving couple.

Nancy maintained a smile in public, but behind closed doors, she looked tired. For the wealthy, this wedding was just a grand social party.

Paul pointed to a middle-aged couple exchanging pleasantries among the crowd. The man, in his fifties, wore a handmade suit and was tall and thin. Despite his smile, there was a hint of fierce in his demeanor.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

He was Jake, the groom’s father, once a prominent figure in the business world who later went to prison. However, there had always been rumors about him in the business world. He was released from prison a month ago, and various media outlets were competing to report on him, indicating his influence. The grandeur of his son’s wedding was also a way to convey his intention to return to the scene.

The woman, in her forties, exuded grace and elegance in her every move. She was Evelyn, who had been managing Masters’s Enterprises for ten years while her husband in prison.

“See, Nancy’s in-laws. This stepmother has a son who just entered high school. On the surface, they seem harmonious, but in fact, she doesn’t get along with Nancy’s husband. I overheard Nancy’s husband’s relatives complaining, saying he had no vision marrying a teacher. How will he compete with this stepmother in the future? Nancy seems to have married into a wealthy family, but her future may not be so bright.”

After Paul finished speaking, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he added, “Annabel’s family is even more complicated, right? Maybe she’ll have to contend with Logan in the future.”

David paused for a moment. “You know everything,” he said sarcastically.

“I heard that Annabel didn’t go abroad to study, but instead went to our university?”

David nodded slightly.

“Is she still pestering you?”

David frowned, displeased with Paul’s choice of words.

“She’s not.”

Paul could tell from David’s expression that they had seen each other at school. He sighed and said, “You’re in trouble. She’s clearly willing to risk her future to stay with you.”

David slapped him hard on the back. “Don’t talk nonsense. You know how distant she’s been with me these past two years.”

Paul hesitated, but couldn’t hold back. “After the exams, Annabel came to me, asking if you agreed to join forces with her father to deceive her for money. But, you even kept this from me, and I’m a bit upset about it.”

Paul had always worried that Annabel’s face, so similar to Lola’s, would cloud David’s judgment. He also found it strange that Annabel hadn’t spoken to David in two years. He had previously complained that Annabel lacked conscience, unaware of what was happening behind the scenes.

“How did you respond?” David inquired.

“I didn’t know the specifics at the time. I just told her about the incident where her father gave you five hundred thousand, and you returned it,” Paul replied.

David helpless. “Why bother explaining? Although it wasn’t for money, deceiving her for personal gain isn’t any different.”

Paul gave him a glare. “Why do you speak of yourself like that? Did you deceive her to harm her? It was for her own good. She could use more deceivers like you who lead her onto the right path!”

He sighed. “But it’s still deceitful. You didn’t see how she questioned me; I didn’t dare look at her eyes.”

At that time, David was particularly worried that she would lose trust in people and give up on herself, but fortunately, she didn’t.

Paul paused. “If I’m not mistaken, your agreement with her father was to stay at Shining High School, right?”

David’s gaze sharpened. “Did you tell her?”

“No, I let her ask you herself. I scolded her and told her there’s no way you approached her for money. She didn’t say anything and left.”

David’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. It was no wonder her attitude towards him changed after their reunion. He now had answers to why she didn’t study abroad and why she enrolled in a normal university. There was a hint of unwarranted joy in his heart, but mostly, he felt resigned to reality. He didn’t know how to resist her in the days to come.

He glared at Paul with resentment. “You’ve caused me trouble!”

Paul knew he had made a mistake and could only laugh it off. “You should find a girlfriend quickly. Don’t let that little troublemaker Annabel succeed.”

David couldn’t help but smile. “That’s worth considering.”

Paul thought to himself, even if you find ten girlfriends, Annabel could still break you up.

“But I think you’re doing fine now. Being a teacher at Shining High School was Lola’s dream, not yours. Even if you did what she wanted, it wouldn’t change anything. It’s good that you can understand that,” Paul concluded.