Chapter 228 Let's Try It on Him First
That night, Arnold and Kevin were practically begging Paul.
They were genuinely worried about Enrique, thinking his knees would get wrecked and mess up his chances for the upcoming show. Plus, they had their own reasons: they wanted to see if Brenda was for real.
But Paul wasn't having any of it. Not only did he shut them down, but he also chewed them out big time.
To make things worse, Paul told them to kneel outside with Enrique.
Arnold and Kevin were about ready to cry. They just wanted to help Enrique, but now they were in trouble too.
They glanced over at Brenda.
Brenda didn't see Paul's anger coming this time. Even the ones who tried to help were getting punished.
Always somewhat fearful of Paul, she now chose to remain silent, not wanting to provoke his anger. As the head of the family, she needed to butter him up and keep him in good spirits.
All she could do was give Arnold and Kevin a helpless, sorry look.
Arnold and Kevin were totally convinced now—Richard was right: Brenda was all talk, no action.
The butler kept an eye on them as they went to kneel at the door.
Enrique's knees were already killing him from kneeling.
Seeing the two join him, he couldn't help but smirk, "You guys got punished too? Serves you right."
Arnold snapped, "We got punished because of you. We just tried to talk to Dad for you, and now we're in trouble too."
Kevin added, "Yeah, and you're laughing? We got punished because of you."
Enrique was genuinely surprised; he didn't expect his brothers to suddenly show some brotherly love. He muttered, "Then kneel with me. I can't take it alone anymore."
Arnold and Kevin went quiet. They shouldn't have felt bad for Enrique.
The three of them knelt and chatted.
Arnold and Kevin were trying to show Enrique how fake Brenda was. But Enrique wasn't getting it. Eventually, Arnold just came out and said what he thought about Brenda.
Enrique shot back, saying if they had issues, they should take it up with him, not Brenda.
He even lectured Arnold and Kevin, saying they were too cold-hearted and didn't care about family. Brenda was just a girl with broken hands and legs. How could she kneel with them?
This made Arnold and Kevin give up on trying to talk sense into Enrique. They had already warned him, and if he didn't listen, that was on him.
None of the three had eaten. They were starving by night, and their legs felt like they were going to snap from kneeling.
But with bodyguards watching, any attempt to stand up got them shoved back down. Arnold and Kevin were seriously regretting their earlier actions.
When Brenda showed up with a tray of food around midnight, Enrique was moved again.
But as soon as she got close, a big bodyguard stopped her. "Mr. Clark said no food for them," he said flatly.
Brenda tried to sweet-talk the bodyguard, but he wasn't budging.
She gazed at the three and softly uttered, "Arnold, Enrique, Kevin, I want to help you. But Dad won't allow it. There's nothing I can do."
Brenda didn't really care if they ate the food. She was just putting on a show to make them think she cared.
She added, "I'll stay with you."
Knowing how much her brothers cared for her, they definitely wouldn't let her stay and suffer the cold night air. Plus, she had deliberately worn a very thin silk nightgown.
Sure enough, Enrique, all concerned, said, "It's okay, Dad's just being a hard-ass. It's freezing out here, and you're still sick. Go back to your room and rest."
Brenda shook her head, all determined. "No, I want to stay with you."
Arnold jumped in, "Brenda wants to stay with us, Enrique. How can you turn her down?"
Kevin added, "Yeah, let her stay. It'll make her feel better. Enrique, you're being a jerk. You can't even let Brenda have this?"
Brenda's smile froze at their words. Were these two actually taking her seriously?
Forcing a gentle smile, she insisted, "Yes, I just want to stay with you." Speaking to Enrique, she shivered, "Enrique, I'm not cold. Don't worry about me," trying to sound tough.She'd been playing this game for over ten years. It was second nature to her. It used to make the Clark brothers care for her even more.
Sure enough, seeing her dressed so thinly, Enrique reached out and touched her hand. It was ice-cold.
"Don't be ridiculous! If you stay and get sick, we'll have to take care of you instead," he said sternly. "Be good, listen to me. Go back to your room. We're fine."
Brenda subtly insisted that no matter how cold it was, she wanted to stay with them.
But Enrique forcefully sent her back. She could only helplessly return to her room.
Seeing them talk, Arnold and Kevin stayed quiet. After Brenda finished her act and had a servant push her back to her room, the two shared a knowing look.
If they hadn't known her true colors, they might've thought she was genuinely concerned.
If Brenda really wanted to stay with them, why wear something so thin? And she specifically emphasized she wasn't cold, just to make them feel sorry for her and let her leave.
Seeing Enrique's concerned and moved expression, Arnold and Kevin thought he was so naive.
After kneeling all night, their legs were killing them. In the morning, the butler had them carried back to their rooms. And the family doctor was called to treat them.
Later, Brenda hypocritically came to visit them, even offering to massage their legs.
All three refused. Enrique didn't want Brenda to tire herself out. While Arnold and Kevin didn't dare let her touch them.
A few days later, the three could finally go downstairs to eat.
That day, Betty accompanied Paul to an important business banquet. As the heir, Loren also went along. Only the four brothers and Brenda were left at home.
After dinner, Brenda suggested they head to the living room for some coffee. They engaged in casual conversation for a while.
Brenda stood up, limping on one leg, to pour coffee for the four of them. Then she suddenly lost her balance and fell toward the sofa.
Except for Enrique, who unhesitatingly went to catch Brenda, the other three moved aside.
Enrique caught Brenda, preventing her from falling. "Brenda, you don't have to do it, just have a seat," he said.
Brenda sat down and apologized, "It's all my fault."
She was very resentful toward the other three brothers, who didn't come to help her and instead moved aside.
Since they were not good to her, she wouldn't hesitate to harm them.
So she started to complain sadly, saying she didn't know why she had been so unlucky recently.
Enrique kept comforting her.
Richard sensed that Brenda's lengthy complaints were building up to something, so he offered her some comfort. He reassured her that everything would be okay and that things would improve soon.
As soon as he finished, Brenda looked at him. As if joking, she spoke gently, "I've been so unlucky lately, Richard. Why don't you share some of your good luck with me?"
Recently, Richard had been the coldest and most hostile toward her, so she decided to test him first.
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