When Katie heard the words “family”, she couldn’t help but feel absurd. She had thought the same way in her previous life. But on the eve of winning the championship, Sally took her place. What kind of family is that? Katie replied decisively, “I’m not joining the team. I want to focus on my studies and prepare for the exams.” Melvin said sarcastically, “Didn’t you beg me to teach you how to play, follow me around for training, and say you wanted to be a full-time team member? How come you’re suddenly so focused on studying now?” Katie felt a pang of pain in her heart. The reason she had chased after Melvin to play games was to build a better relationship with him and have more things in common to talk about. But now, that didn’t matter anymore. Katie responded, “It was the gaming that messed up my studies. My scores dropped a lot in the last monthly exam, so I don’t want to keep playing games.” Melvin was left speechless. “Fine, just don’t regret it. When the competition starts, all anyone will see is Sally, and they’ll think she’s the real member of the family.” Since Katie was so ungrateful, he didn’t care anymore. “Well, that’s fine.” Katie didn’t want to waste any more words. She turned and walked out of the dining room. After returning to her room, Katie took a moment to calm herself before settling down to focus on her homework and review the material she had forgotten in the past. … The next day, after school. Katie and Sally walked to the school gate, one right after the other, where the driver was waiting outside. Sally stood in front of the car and said, “Oh, by the way, I’m heading to the training camp today. The driver will take me there first, so we won’t be going the same way.” The driver, his face stern, said, “Ms. Katie, I got a call from Mr. Melvin. I’m instructed to take Ms. Sally there first, and I can’t waste any time.” Katie, unfazed, replied, “I’ll take a cab home.” Sally got into the car, her face lighting up with excitement. “Katie, I’ll talk to Melvin later.” Katie turned and walked away, leaving only the back of her head for Sally to see. Sally watched Katie’s retreating figure, biting her lips. Katie, just wait. One day, I’ll take everything from you! This is what you owe me! Katie stood by the roadside, feeling bored and suddenly not wanting to go back to the Maddison Residence. Maybe she should find a study room near the school instead. “Hey, kid, why aren’t you going home after school? What are you doing hanging around here?” Katie turned around and saw a handsome man. She froze for a moment, and only after meeting his gaze did she recognize him. It was the sharp-tongued school doctor. He usually wore a mask and a white lab coat, so his change of clothes almost made her not recognize him. Ryan stood before her. “I’m talking to you.” “I don’t feel like going back right now. I want to find a study room to do some homework.” “Come with me.” Katie hesitated for a second, watching his back, but eventually decided to follow him. She followed him to the school infirmary and stood at the door. “Why are we here? I’m all better now.” Ryan gestured to the desk. “It’s quieter here, and safer than a study room.” Katie thought it over for a moment. It makes sense. She set her backpack down. “Guess I’ll be a bother, then.” She pulled out her textbooks and began working on her homework. Ryan gave her a quick glance, his expression cold, before turning and heading to the consultation room, closing the door behind him. When Katie snapped out of her thoughts, she realized it was getting late. She noticed a nameplate on the desk with a photo of the sharp-tongued doctor—so his name was Ryan Ashford. “Have you seen enough?” Katie was caught off guard. Blushing, she quickly put the nameplate back. “I wasn’t snooping. I just saw it by accident.” “Did you finish your homework?” “Yeah, but there are some problems I couldn’t solve. I’ll ask the teacher tomorrow.” Ryan walked over, took her workbook, and pulled it towards him. “You can’t solve something this simple?” Katie felt a bit discouraged, lowering her gaze to her textbook. “Yeah, I didn’t take it seriously before, and other things got in the way of my studies.” “Listen, I’ll say this only once.” Ryan grabbed a pen, and as he wrote on a scrap of paper, he began solving the problems. Katie froze, watching the man in front of her. Her emotions suddenly became complicated. Because of Sally, she didn’t have many friends, and even the teachers didn’t seem to like her much. No one had ever offered to explain the problems to her before. Ryan lowered his gaze, his expression indifferent. “With your level of focus, you probably daydreamed through class!” Katie quickly snapped back to attention, her voice soft. “Sorry, I’ll pay more attention.” Noticing how obedient she seemed, Ryan’s throat tightened a little, but he patiently continued explaining. By evening, the warm glow of the lights enveloped the two of them. Katie sat there while he stood next to her, one hand braced on the desk as he explained the solution. “Your mind’s like a straight line, can’t you think outside the box? This problem is solved the same way as the last one. “How could you not spot the trick in this simple problem? Are your eyes just for decoration? “Have you ever had your IQ tested? Maybe you didn’t pass. Do it again!” His tone was flat and emotionless, but his words were sharp, hitting where it hurt. Thankfully, Katie was already aware that he was sharp-tongued, or she would have broken down by now. She managed to hold on until the end. She packed away her finished homework. “Thanks, Dr. Ashford. You’re really impressive, remembering all of this.” Ryan twirled his pen, his eyes scrutinizing her. “Don’t your family hire a tutor?” Katie pursed her lips. “I don’t want to owe them.” Private tutoring is so expensive. She didn’t have the money, and she didn’t want to ask the Maddisons for help. Ryan observed her pale profile, her lowered eyelids hiding the emotions she was feeling at that moment. Katie hesitantly lifted her head. “Dr. Ashford, can I come to you if I have questions in the future?” He turned his head slightly, his tone a bit awkward. “I’m busy.” Katie wasn’t upset after being rejected; she packed up her bag obediently. Ryan tapped the desk and turned his head, adding, “It depends on my mood.” Katie gave a bright smile. “Thanks, Dr. Ashford … no, you’re my mentor now, thank you, sir!” She said it with a grin, not waiting for his reaction, and rushed out with her bag. Ryan narrowed his eyes, a lazy smile curling on his lips. Well, fine. I’ll just consider it a way to pass the time. … Katie got home, and it was already dark. Bertram the butler approached her and said, “Mr. Eddie, Ms. Sally, and the others are having a dinner gathering, so they won’t be back for dinner.” “Okay.” Katie went to the dining room to eat by herself, enjoying the rare moment of peace. She opened her phone and, as expected, saw a post from Sally: “Having a big meal with the brothers!” In the photo, all the brothers were smiling at the camera with affectionate expressions. Katie glanced at the post but quickly closed her social media and continued eating quietly. The next morning, Katie woke up and went to the dining room for breakfast. The brothers hadn’t arrived yet, and only Sally was there. Sally subtly bragged, “I made a lot of progress at the team training yesterday.” Katie sat down and ate without showing any expression, not responding to Sally. Sally, in a good mood, didn’t mind Katie’s cold attitude and didn’t press it. Katie looks calm, but she’s definitely furious inside! She finished her breakfast in no time and headed out. However, the driver stood still, not moving. “Ms. Sally hasn’t come out yet. You have to wait for her.” Katie sat in the car for over ten minutes, but Sally still hadn’t arrived. She glanced at the time and, feeling frustrated, muttered, “If she doesn’t hurry up, we’re going to be late!” She was growing increasingly intolerant of everything related to the Maddisons. She decided she wasn’t going to wait any longer. She opened the car door to leave, but Clifford appeared. “What’s the hurry? What difference will it make if you wait a little longer for Sally? Her father saved your life and didn’t just leave you behind. Yet now, you can’t even wait a few minutes for Sally.” Katie’s hand gripped the door handle tightly.