"What are you doing? You got a death wish?"
Because Kitty had suddenly slammed on the brakes, the car behind them almost rear-ended her, sparking a chorus of angry curses.
Kitty composed herself and refocused. "Phoebe, your brother, Faulkner... is he still...?"
"I don't know, but that man might." He had recognized the birthday gift her brother had given her, and every time she mentioned her brother, his reaction was a departure from his usual cold and reserved demeanor. There was definitely something strange about it.
"Phoebe, how about I ask my brother for help...?"
"Don't," Phoebe stopped her. "I don't want to trouble Irving."
"I really don't get you. Why are you always so formal with my brother?" Seeing that Phoebe still wouldn't accept her brother's help, Kitty didn't press the issue. She just said, "If anything happens, you have to tell me."
"Okay."
Kitty drove Phoebe home.
Meanwhile, on the elevated highway, the driver was crawling along. 'Any slower and I'll get a ticket,' he thought. 'Is the boss actually looking for that girl he just left behind? We've circled the highway a few times now and haven't seen her. She must have hitched a ride and left. But the boss won't let me get off the highway, so of course I don't dare to.'
After what felt like an eternity, the icy boss finally spoke, his face grim. "Go back!"
"Yes, boss!"
Of course, Phoebe had no idea that the man who had abandoned her on the highway had turned around to look for her. After getting home, she invited Kitty up to her room. None of the Faulkner family heads were home at the moment, only servants, so she could come and go as she pleased.
Kitty entered Phoebe's room, took off her sunglasses, and glanced around before saying disapprovingly, "After Faulkner passed away, this is the shabby little room you've been living in? My bathroom is bigger than this room! Is this how your second uncle's family bullies you?"
This was the first time Kitty had seen Phoebe's room in Kenneth Faulkner's house, and she was not pleased.
"Kitty, it's perfectly fine. Besides, I only come back to stay for a few days now and then. I usually live at school or in my own apartment, right? I'm already enough of a bother to my second uncle as it is."
"A bother? What bother?" Kitty sat on the bed, her tone disapproving. "Those shares you inherited? Your second uncle is managing all of them now. Do you have any idea what they're worth, or how much income they generate each month? Phoebe Faulkner, you're the eldest daughter of the Faulkner family! The Faulkners are way richer than my Irving family, but look at the life you're living!"
"I won't even get into anything else, let's just talk about you being sold. Do you really think your second uncle knew nothing about it? Do you have any idea how much he stands to gain if you're dead? Even if you won't think for yourself, you have to think about your second brother, still lying in that hospital bed!"
"Kitty, no matter what, he's still my second uncle." Kitty's words made Phoebe's own conviction waver, but she still tried to reassure herself. "He's never treated me badly, not once since I was a child. I'm sure he wouldn't..."
"You! Honestly! You must have died of stupidity in your past life!" Kitty couldn't resist poking Phoebe's forehead. "When he finally sells you off, we'll see who you go crying to then."
"I'll cry to you!" Phoebe hugged Kitty. "Kitty, are you still leaving?"
"Not for now. I have to stay and watch over you."
"That's wonderful."
...