"Confess? Apologize? How can I confess to or apologize for something I haven't done? By what right do you convict me? What, has everyone here already decided that I stole the necklace?"
Lin Ge scanned the room with a faint, cold smile. His voice was chillingly detached: "If something is lost, call the police. Passing judgment on others without proof is a crime in itself!"
"You rebellious brat!"
Lin Rude was incensed by Lin Ge’s indifferent attitude. He lunged forward, raising his hand to strike him. Huang Huijuan, blinded by fury, actually supported her husband’s actions: "He needs a good lesson. Making a mistake isn't the problem; it’s this terrible attitude. We didn't discipline you well enough before, but it's time to set you straight. If we don't, you'll just keep growing more crooked!"
As the slap was about to land on his face, Lin Ge sidestepped quickly. He would no longer be the blindly obedient fool he once was.
"Dad, stop!"
Lin Xinyi, shocked by the turn of events, rushed over and grabbed Lin Rude’s raised arm with all her might.
"Don't stop me! I am going to teach this rebellious brat a lesson today!" Lin Rude roared.
"Dad, violence won't solve anything. This matter still needs investigating. Let's hold off for now!" Lin Jiayi urged.
Both sisters had heard Lin Ge’s inner thoughts again, and both were stunned and bewildered. What? Lin Qingyang had actually taken the jade necklace and quietly given it to their aunt? That was impossible! In their eyes, Lin Qingyang and the act of theft were worlds apart. It was even more impossible that he would take their mother's necklace to give to their aunt. After all, Lin Qingyang had repeatedly told them that their mother was his only real mother, while the aunt was just an aunt. He was always affectionate toward their mother and kept a clear, distant boundary with their aunt.
The two sisters were confused. Emotionally, they leaned toward believing Lin Ge was the thief, but logically, the current evidence couldn't confirm it. Furthermore, Lin Ge’s inner thoughts couldn't be faked—he didn't even know they could hear them. That was why Lin Xinyi had stepped in; she feared that if Lin Ge were innocent, this slap would have dire consequences. Over the past two days, she had clearly felt that Lin Ge had changed. The old Lin Ge would have apologized long ago; he never would have provoked their father into such an uncharacteristic display of violence. This was the first time their father had ever raised a hand to them.
Lin Jiayi felt the same, though she had been too far away to intervene herself. Seeing her third sister succeed, she let out an involuntary sigh of relief. When their father refused to let it go, she couldn't help but speak up as well.
The sisters' unusual reaction left the rest of the family astonished.
"Third Sister, what are you doing? Father is disciplining Lin Ge—he deserves it!" the youngest sister, Lin Qingyi, asked, confused. "And Second Sister, why are you siding with him?"
Lin Ge was also surprised by their behavior, but he didn't dwell on it. Feeling utterly disillusioned, he had no intention of wasting his energy on anyone in this family.
"It’s plain as day. Lin Ge took the necklace. What else is there to investigate?" Mother Lin, Huang Huijuan, glared at Lin Ge coldly, finding him more repulsive by the second. "I never expected you not only to have sticky fingers but to be so defiant. Do you not want to stay in this family anymore?"
The room fell into an eerie silence. The sisters were stunned. They all favored Lin Qingyang, but this was the first time their mother had ever said something so heartless.
"Mom, Dad, please calm down! Brother must have his reasons. Please, forgive him! You mustn't kick him out!" Lin Qingyang was the first to react, acting with feigned anxiety. "Brother, hurry up and apologize to Mom and Dad! As long as you apologize, you can stay!"
Lin Ge looked at the "anxious" Lin Qingyang with cold eyes, silently marveling at his performance. He was clearly desperate to have him thrown out, yet he pretended to be the saint. His words sounded like an appeal to reason, but in reality, they were pouring gasoline on the fire. It truly was a case of a man being more manipulative than any woman could hope to be.
Lin Ge ignored him and stared blankly at his mother. Although he had already decided to leave the Lin family once he got into college, her willingness to cast him aside over a necklace made his heart turn to ice. How little was the affection he had craved so dearly worth in their eyes? Apparently, less than a necklace.
"So, the yelling and the hitting today—it’s all because you want to drive me out!" Lin Ge said, his voice cold despite the smile on his face. "If you didn't like me, you shouldn't have brought me back in the first place! If you want me gone, just say it. Why frame me as a thief? I honestly don't want to stay in this family anymore either!"
He paused, looking at everyone in the room. "Since nobody here likes me and you all want me to leave, then I will grant your wish."
Without another word, Lin Ge turned and walked up the stairs to his bedroom to pack his things.
Huang Huijuan regretted her words the moment they left her mouth. She hadn't truly meant to kick him out; she had only been provoked by his rebellious attitude and wanted to teach him a lesson. She knew how much Lin Ge valued family, so she had used that to threaten him. Who would have thought...
Just as she was hesitating about whether to explain herself, Lin Ge came back down with his luggage. Under the watchful eyes of the stunned family, he walked up to Lin Rude and Huang Huijuan and placed several sheets of paper on the coffee table.
"I’m leaving! From now on, we go our separate ways. To ensure there are no further entanglements, Mr. Lin and Ms. Huang, please sign these!"
"A severance agreement?"
Lin Rude and Huang Huijuan picked up the papers in confusion, their expressions changing instantly.
"Bang!"
"This is outrageous! Hmph, Lin Ge, do you really think you can use this to threaten us? You’re far too naive!" Lin Rude slammed the paper onto the table, his face flushing with rage. He didn't believe for a second that Lin Ge had the courage to sever ties. He assumed this was just a bluff to force their hand.
The five sisters and Lin Qingyang, noticing their parents' reaction, crowded around to see what was written on the papers.
What? Lin Ge actually wanted to sever ties with his parents?