As Skylar and Charles laughed together, it seemed as though Charles was her real brother. This sight only served to anger Samuel further.
“Let’s go take a look,” Kenny suggested, heading in Skylar’s direction.
Samuel scowled, his voice dripping with bitterness. “What’s the point? We’ll just get the cold shoulder anyway.”
“Stop talking so much. Let’s just go,” Kenny replied curtly.
“Fine.”
At the lake, Skylar and Charles found several groups enjoying camping trips. The vast expanse of azure water shimmered invitingly under the sunlight.
“We should bring the whole family here to camp sometime,” Charles said, pointing to a group by the shore. “It looks so cozy with everyone together.”
Skylar smiled at the thought. “Yeah, it reminds me of our childhood, when I took you swimming. Mom really gave you a hard time after she found out.”
Skylar chuckled as the memory resurfaced. “She used that broom of hers to hit you, right? The same one she uses to sweep the yard? She even broke it while scolding you.”
Charles laughed, his tone light. “I don’t blame her. That summer, two or three kids our age drowned in that river. She was just worried about us.”
Skylar picked up a stone and skillfully sent it skipping across the water with a flick of her wrist. It bounced five or six times before disappearing beneath the surface.
Charles’ eyes lit up, a spark of competitive spirit igniting. “Skylar, you’re really good at this! Did you practice in secret?”
“I’m just naturally talented,” Skylar replied with a playful smirk.
Growing up with only brothers, Skylar had always enjoyed rough-and-tumble games. Stone skipping was one of her favorites. She, Charles, and Harvey used to play it for hours when they were kids.
“Watch and learn, little sis. The master is always better than the disciple,” Charles said with a grin, picking up a stone he was satisfied with and throwing it.
The stone skipped ten times across the surface of the water.
Skylar gave him a thumbs-up. “Impressive, but Harvey won’t be easily convinced.”
Charles chuckled confidently. “Ha! Harvey learned everything from me. There’s no way he can surpass the master.”
Skylar didn’t want to burst Charles’ bubble. In truth, she and Harvey had secretly practiced together when they were kids, and by now, they had long surpassed Charles’ level. She had intentionally held back earlier.
Before she could say anything, a cold sneer interrupted the siblings’ fun.
“How childish.”
Charles frowned, turning toward the voice. “Everywhere I turn, there you are,” he muttered under his breath. His expression darkened as he saw Samuel approaching. “Can’t the Williams family keep their attack dogs on a leash? This isn’t the jungle. We have laws here.”
Skylar stifled a giggle, amused at Charles’ sharp sarcasm.
Samuel’s anger flared. “Charles, you’ve got some nerve! How dare you speak to me like that? Believe it or not, I’ll have a word with the director, and your role as the male fourth lead will disappear faster than smoke.”
Charles’ eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. “You’re vicious and shameless. You’re lucky you have your family backing you up. But your arrogance won’t last forever, Samuel. With your lousy acting skills, do you really think you’ll make it in the entertainment industry? What goes around comes around.”
“Enough!” Kenny’s voice cut through the tension as he stepped forward, his tone cold and firm. “Stop it, both of you. I didn’t come here to escalate things. I came to have a civil conversation with Skylar.”
He turned to Skylar, his voice softer but still tinged with urgency. “Skye, do you know who’s targeting our family? Do you really have a powerful benefactor helping us?”
Skylar could sense the weight in his words. Kenny’s position at the company was in jeopardy. He’d already tried to suppress Steven once, but the company had turned a blind eye. Now, they seemed to be valuing Steven more, even rewarding him with another bonus.
Kenny wasn’t bothered by the money, but the public recognition stung his pride deeply.
“Think before you speak!” Charles spat, raising his fist, ready to strike.
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