Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 223

Chapter 223: Ch 223: Why are you lying?
Rika left Damian’s apartment in high spirits.

The alpha had wanted Rika to rest another day before leaving, but Rika had too much work to do. She could not afford to sit back and relax.

Her body aching and protesting against strenuous activities, Rika somehow returned to her dorm.

She couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for declining Damian’s offer to drive her to her shared dorm. She knew he needed to get going but also valued his consideration.

He had a flight to catch for his selection test as the next alpha of his family’s mafia kingdom.

“Everyone is moving ahead in their careers and reaching their goals. I wish I knew what to do to reach my end goal.”

Rika’s frustration was palpable. Her life had no clear direction other than becoming independent, and it seemed to slip further away each passing day.

The more she tried to live independently, the more she realised how much she depended on her for support and networking.

Humanity was a species that was not meant to survive alone.

“Look at me! I’m trying to be philosophical so early in the morning. Maybe I should become an inspirational writer or something.”

Rika sighed as she rested on her balcony.

Everything felt alright, and Rika sighed in relief.

She looked down from the high point she was standing, and her eyes fell on Shuu.

“…”

“Rika, are you sure Shuu is a one-month-old pup? Isn’t he getting too big too quickly? He’ll be almost up to your knees by next month.”

Charon commented as she came after Rika on the balcony while sipping her coffee.

Her comment made Rika look down, and she had to admit that Charon was right. Shuu did look a lot bigger than before as he played in the garden.

“I should get him rechecked by a vet. Now that I remember, it had been some time since I last had Shuu visit a vet. I hope he won’t make a fuss this time.”

Rika sighed before deciding what she would do after school that day.

She was sure her work would understand why she missed another day. She had missed so many by now; what was one more in that tally?

‘Daniel would sure have much to say to me once I return. Sometimes, I feel sorry for him for being stuck with me, of all people, as a co-worker.’

…

“Young master, I’ve checked up on your sister. I am happy to announce that Miss Suzie is no longer in a critical condition. You can go and visit her now. She has regained her consciousness.”

The doctor told Mark before he left the Goodwill mansion.

Mark breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the doctor’s words. He wanted to see Suzie immediately and demanded to know what had happened.

But Damian did not want to seem overbearing, so he calmed down and pretended not to be angry.

‘I am not angry at Suzie. I need to give her time to explain what happened. I will not cause her to fear me.’

It was much more challenging to keep a straight face than Damian expected, but he did that anyway.

He opened the door, and Suzie’s face was the first thing he saw.

She was also looking at the door, waiting for it to open. Her face looked happy and scared simultaneously as she saw him enter the room.

“Mark, it was not my fault! My friend forced me to go to that club with her, and then I met Rika, who sprayed me with something to cause me to faint. Please believe me! None of this is my fault.”

Suzie sounded genuine when she said that, and her words made Mark feel for her.

But simultaneously, he was unsure if he wanted to let Suzie off the hook.

Not only had she broken a lot of rules, but she was also lying to cover up her mistakes. That was something that Mark could not allow her to get away with.

Simultaneously, his heart became soft when he saw Suzie cry and plead like this. It made Mark want to forgive her for what she had done.

“Are you saying that this is all Rika’s fault, Suzie? Should I take your words to mean that?”

Mark asked, wanting to know if Suzie would lie anymore.

He wanted his sister to come clean so he could end this topic now. But he was disappointed (and a little ashamed) to see Suzie nodding her head at his suggestion.

“You are right! This is all Rika’s fault. Why did she try to do this to me? Is it because she was jealous of me? She even stalked me to get into the same club as me. Isn’t that scary?”

Suzie asked in a trembling voice.

If Mark did not know she was lying, he would have fallen for her acting.

He would have fallen for her actions if he did not know the truth about what happened.

Rocxx had told Mark about the dangerous substance he was investigating and how Rika had asked to help.

It was a situation that had hurt Mark’s head. He had demanded Rika be pulled out of the operation, only to be told that he had no right to decide that.

That left Mark in more shock than he would like to admit.

“Mark, are you alright? Should we discuss this matter with the mother and tell her what happened? You know how mother can get! What if she gets the wrong idea about what happened to me?”

Suzie sounded genuinely upset, which hurt Mark’s head and heart simultaneously. He wanted to laugh and cry at her words, but Mark held himself back.

“How long will you lie like this to me, Suzie? Do you think I am a fool who does not get that you are trying to trick me by saying all this? You say this all is Rika’s fault? But even you don’t know the truth of the substance your friend gave you, right?”