This Time, I'll Be the Villain's Favorite Daughter novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286 A Night in the Family Shrine

George shot him a helpless look. “Well, thanks a lot for that.”

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When Maya saw him arrive, her eyes lit up. She climbed off the cushion and ran over. “Edric, are you staying here with us too?”

Edric nodded gently. “I am. But I didn’t expect you guys…”

His voice stayed calm, but his expression turned a little strange. “…to turn this place into a buffet.”

Maya stuffed the snack in her hand into her mouth.

“Sorry, but I’m hungry.”

Alfred was hungry too.

He was busy chewing on an apple.

Edric had nothing to say.

Forget it.

If the kids wanted to eat, then let them eat. The ancestors had seen all kinds of things in their lives. They wouldn’t care about a little food.

Spending a whole night kneeling in the family shrine was usually miserable. When they were kids, they had all been sent here plenty of times after getting into trouble.

But now that there were more people around, the place felt lively instead. Even the old bad memories had faded quite a bit.

Maya liked moments like this. Whenever she got tired of lying on the cushion, she would lean against someone, like a cat that didn’t understand personal space.

Seeing that Toby, the one who was the best at pretending, was still keeping up his good–kid act, Maya crawled over to him and looked up. “Are you really not hungry? I still have an orange.”

Toby almost lost control of his expression.

He was kneeling properly on the cushion, putting on a good show with his back perfectly straight. Then, suddenly, a little face popped up in front of him, asking if he wanted an orange.

Toby reached out and tapped her forehead with a little force. Lowering his head slightly, he spoke in a quiet voice, “Maya, you’ve been spending too much time with George lately. You’re

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Chapter 286 A Night in the Family Shrine

picking up all his bad habits.”

She had never been this bold before.

George shot him a cold glance.

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After Toby said that, he noticed that even the way Edric was looking at him had become a little unfriendly.

“You should behave yourself, George,” Edric said calmly, his voice carrying a hint of coldness. “I don’t want to spend my time cleaning up your messes every time I go out.

“Every time, you’re the one who causes trouble for me.”

Toby turned his head. “Edric, you really should give him a good beating. That’s the only way he’ll behave.”

George had been looking at his phone. Hearing that, he immediately looked up. Seeing the two of them acting as if they had finally found someone who understood them, taking turns criticizing him, he couldn’t help shouting, “Why are you two blaming me again?!”

Maya hadn’t expected the three brothers to still be chatting this much at such a late hour. She yawned.

Then she pattered over to Edric and threw herself into his arms.

Edric was the most reliable one here, so Maya decided he would be her pillow.

Edric was clearly caught off guard by her sudden affection. When she snuggled against him, he shifted into a sitting position.

He wrapped an arm loosely around her. His movements were gentle and steady. Then he fell silent and stopped lecturing George.

Toby turned to the other side. “Alfred, aren’t you sleepy?”

Kids got special treatment.

Even if Alfred picked a brother at random and used him as a pillow, nobody would mind.

But he clearly didn’t want to copy Maya.

He didn’t want to be held by his brothers.

He was the kind of person who was difficult by nature. When others treated him kindly, he only found it annoying.

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Chapter 286 A Night in the Family Shrine

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Seeing that Alfred wasn’t responding and was even wearing a tense, resistant expression, Toby lost interest. He couldn’t be bothered with him anymore.

The next morning.

When the butler arrived, even though he had already prepared himself, he was still a little shocked by the scene inside.

It really was a strange sight. Everyone was in a different position.

One was lying down, one was sprawled on the floor, one was leaning against the wall, one was sitting up, and of course, there was even one still kneeling.

The one kneeling had probably heard someone coming and quickly put on an act, kneeling properly for a few moments to keep up his good–kid image.

The butler decided to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.

He was just an employee. He couldn’t manage all of this.

However, when his eyes landed on the tribute display, which looked as if it had been raided by mice, he had no choice but to ask, “May I ask where are the fruits that were placed here last night?”

Maya answered immediately, “We ate it all.”

The corner of the butler’s mouth twitched slightly. Still, he forced a professional smile. “Alright. I understand.”

Not long afterward, he had someone replace everything with fresh fruit.

Maya had spent the entire night lying against this person and then that person, having an especially comfortable time.

The butler could tell she had probably slept well. He smiled and said, “Ms. Clark, Mr. Philbert would like to see you all.”

“Do we still have to kneel?” George asked.

“No.”

The butler watched as they disappeared down the hallway and finally let out a breath of relief.

They’re finally gone.

These kids could really eat.

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Maya hid behind Edric, showing only half of her face.

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Her amber eyes blinked as she quietly watched the person across from her. Both of her hands were clutching the edge of Edric’s clothes. Philbert sat on the sofa, a steaming cup of coffee resting in front of him. The rich scent of coffee mixed with the lingering smell of candles from the family shrine created a warm and comforting atmosphere.

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