This Time Hi Be the Villain’s Favorite Daughter novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147 The Clark Family’s Survival Guide

Alfred stood to Toby’s right, thinking back. “No. The last time I saw George was when Edric caught him gambling and had him thrown in prison to do hard labor.

“But he said the food was gross and he didn’t want to get up early for work detail, so he broke out the next day.”

“Hold on.” Maya tried to cut in. “Gambling? Prison break? Actual jail?”

Alfred nodded. “Dad used to gamble too. He had the worst luck, though. Mom used to grab a knife and storm into the casino to drag him out.”

Maya had no words. The Clarks were a whole reality show, every single day.

Toby had clearly never heard this story either. He went blank for two seconds, completely at a loss for how to respond to Raymond’s behavior.

“…Just stay away from Edric and George. Both of you.”

As far as he was concerned, the family was Wendy, Raymond, Alfred, and Maya. That was enough. The other two brothers had been permanently removed from the roster without a second thought.

Toby had barely had contact with any of his family growing up. The only sibling he actually knew was Alfred, who sent gifts regularly and called once in a while. His relationship with the other two ranged from bad to nonexistent.

And it wasn’t just him. Nobody in the family really knew Edric.

Edric was like a cactus. Impossible to get close to. And if you tried anyway, you got stabbed.

“Let me guess.” Maya swung his hand back and forth. “In your family, is it always the older one who likes the younger one more?”

“George probably really likes you, right?”

From what Alfred had told her, Maya had already pieced together how the brothers worked.

Edric kept George in line whenever he felt like it. George kept bugging Toby whenever he was bored. And Toby’s favorite sibling was Alfred.

What a lineup.

“Likes me?” Toby’s calm expression twisted for a split second, like he was about to be sick. “Do you even hear yourself?”

“Yeah, I do.” Maya nodded. “Am I wrong? You’re always bringing him up. He obviously comes looking for you all the time.”

“That’s only because…” Toby’s voice dropped, irritated by her bizarre logic. “Alfred’s no fun to mess with, so George comes to me for entertainment.”

“Yes.” Toby pinched his cheek, smiling that fake smile. “You don’t want to lose your sister either, right? So if she ever tries to leave, you die.”

Silence.

Alfred looked at him flatly. “Why don’t you die?”

“Also fine.” Toby cracked what might have been a joke, his tone going light. “We’ll both die. Then she’ll definitely feel too guilty to leave.”

Maya stared at them both. This entire conversation was deeply unhinged.

“I said I’m not leaving!” She couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed one in each hand and shoved them toward the car. “Let’s go home! We have school tomorrow!”

“School? You remember school exists? You two haven’t gone to class in an entire week. If Mom finds out…” Toby reached over and gave the back of her neck a light squeeze.

His voice was just as light.

“You want to guess whether it’ll be a knife at your throat or a gun to Alfred’s head?”

Maya might not have known. But Wendy, when she got angry, was terrifying. She genuinely believed that discipline built character.