Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 222

Slater stared at Swain for a long moment before finally speaking. “Brother, did Seren say something bad about Carla? Is that why you’re so biased against her?”

A faint smile touched Swain’s lips. Slater’s reaction reminded him of his old self—how he used to judge Seren with the same prejudice, assuming everything she said or did was wrong. Back then, he probably would have found fault in the very way she breathed. The memory filled him with a familiar wave of regret and guilt that gnawed at his conscience.

All Seren had ever wanted was a warm home and a family that cared. From the day she had returned, she had tried so carefully, so earnestly, to fit in, to feel a little of that warmth. And he, her older brother, had been the one to consistently push her away, never truly accepting her. The guilt was a constant shadow, tormenting him and stealing his sleep.

He shook his head. “Seren isn’t the type to gossip or slander someone behind their back. I just personally think Carla’s character is questionable.”

“That’s just your opinion!” Slater’s brow furrowed, unable to hear a single bad word against Carla. “She has defended you time and time again these past few days. And while you’ve been gone, leaving this mess behind, she’s been the one at Rutledge Group helping me.”

To Slater, Carla was flawless. He was convinced Seren had somehow warped Swain’s thinking, poisoning him with this baseless prejudice.

Swain felt a wave of helplessness. He had only been trying to offer a word of caution, yet Slater was so defensive of Carla that he was now rebuking his own brother. His good intentions had been twisted into malice. Suddenly, he had nothing left to say. He looked down, avoiding Slater’s gaze.

“Just go,” he said flatly. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

There was no point. Slater would have to hit rock bottom before he finally learned his lesson.

Knowing he couldn’t persuade Swain, Slater let out a heavy sigh and turned back to his room. After closing the door, he took several deep breaths to calm his frayed nerves, but Swain’s words echoed in his mind, stirring up a seed of doubt. *Is Carla’s character really that bad?*

Slater hesitated instinctively. That corporate seal was kept locked in the office safe, and besides Zena, only he was authorized to use it. The safe also contained confidential company files that couldn’t be compromised.

But then he reasoned that Carla was his sister, part of the family. There was no need to be so guarded. Besides, she was so naive and innocent; she wasn't the type to have ulterior motives. She was only trying to help. If she knew he didn't trust her, she would be heartbroken.

Finally, he gave her the combination. “The seal is in the safe. You can get it from there.”

After hanging up, Slater felt a pang of shame for his earlier suspicion. Carla was always so good to him, and yet he had allowed himself to doubt her. It was wrong. Swain was trapped in his own negativity, biased against the whole family. He couldn’t let himself be dragged down that same path, losing his own judgment in the process.

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