Chapter 306 Too Late to Turn Back +8 Pearls

Watching someone else dote on his little sister—when he, her real brother, wasn’t even allowed to be there—Owen felt like there was a hole in his chest. A hollow that let in nothing but cold air.

He was the one who used to bring Yunice surprises, who used to make her laugh. He was her brother.

So how… how had he become the outsider?

Oscar’s voice echoed in his mind.

Not that you didn’t want Yunice. It’s that now, Yunice doesn’t want you.

She had cut him off.

She didn’t even want to be a part of the Saunders family anymore. She’d severed every tie with them.

She didn’t invite them to her wedding. They weren’t welcome at her birthday.

From now on, he had no place in any of the major events of her life.

Outside, fireworks lit the sky in a dazzling display, but under those bursts of color, Owen slowly crouched down, burying his fingers in his hair.

He finally realized—Yunice hadn’t been throwing tantrums to seek attention, or trying to guilt him. Every so-called act of rebellion had been a cry for help, a signal.

A warning, I’m leaving.

But now, even if he finally understood, it was too late.

His phone buzzed. Owen glanced at it like it was a lifeline.

It was a call from the Hotel Marcellus manager.

Hope flared in his eyes as he answered. Had it all been a mistake? Did Yunice still recognize him as her brother?

But the manager’s voice on the other end said, “Sir, the missing child has been found. He fell asleep in the dressing room. He’s completely safe…”

Before the manager could finish, Owen’s hope plummeted.

He snapped, “What does that kid have to do with me? He can sleep wherever he wants—why the hell are you calling me!”

Still, some part of him waited, hoping the manager would say something—anything—about Yunice.

But no. The call had been routine, just a hotel duty to clarify a situation and ease a guest’s concerns.

Seeing Owen was in a foul mood, the manager apologized and ended the call.

“Sorry for the disturbance.”

The dead silence from his phone made Owen want to smash it.

But before he could even breathe, Lily’s call came in again.

He answered, annoyed, only to be greeted by her sobs. She cried that he needed to return to the hospital right away—Elsie had been beaten up, and the attacker was demanding five million. They didn’t have that kind of money.

Owen pinched the bridge of his nose. His mind was drowning in Lily’s endless crying.

Lily cried, Elsie cried. Their lives were made of tears.

He said coldly, “She borrowed the money. Let her figure it out.”

Lily gasped. “You know Elsie doesn’t have any money…”

“And?” Owen snapped. “She’s an adult. If she’s broke, let her solve it herself. Yunice lived in our house for years. Did anyone give her a cent? Did you?”

Lily fell silent.

Owen’s voice was ice. “If Yunice could survive it, why can’t Elsie?”

Lily cried, “Elsie came from nothing. I know all of you look down on her–”

Owen didn’t even let her finish. He hung up.

He’d heard this same sob story so many times over the years, it used to make his heart ache for Elsie. But now, it just made his skin crawl.

Yes, Elsie had a rough background. But none of them caused that. So why did he have to keep paying the price?

The heaviness in his chest was unbearable. Deep down, he had a gnawing sense that maybe he had done something wrong—he just didn’t know what, or when, or how.

And like many people in that moment, Owen didn’t try to reflect or make amends. He numbed himself.

He ordered drinks and got himself blackout drunk under the exploding sky, finally passing out on the hotel room floor.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital…

Oscar also received a call from Lily.

She was his mother, and no matter how bitter he felt, he couldn’t bring himself to ignore her.

Through her sobs, she repeated Elsie’s situation.

She didn’t expect Oscar to come and take care of Elsie—she just hoped he could help cover the five million.

Tearfully, Lily wailed, “That woman was too vicious! She beat up me and Elsie! If we don’t pay soon, she’ll kill us!”

Oscar replied calmly, “Elsie’s room is filled with luxury items. She can’t come up with five million?”