Chapter 199: The "War" Between the Seven Brothers

Assistant Barton smiled and said, "Though the boss is getting older, no one dares to bully him, nor could they succeed if they tried." "The boss is more concerned about someone bullying the young lady, fearing that she won’t have anyone to rely on." Itha nodded, saying, "Uncle Barton, you’ve indeed been very dedicated to my sister." Assistant Barton smiled modestly, a bit embarrassed by the praise. Itha had long noticed how much Barton cared for Irene. Given that Barton had practically raised the seventh brother, Palmer, it was understandable. Itha didn’t feel jealous. On the contrary, he wished there were more people like Barton around, people who would look after Irene. But Itha was fully aware of what his sister had been through. The couple in that town were worse than animals. And the family that had taken her in, the Kashi family, treated her terribly, even kicking her out once their biological daughter returned. From what Itha had learned, they even wanted to marry Irene off to a wife-beating psychopath. Now that his sister had returned home, if they couldn’t make her life better than when she was living with that old lady, then this wasn’t a home worth returning to. Moreover, they wouldn’t deserve to call themselves her brothers. With that thought, Itha opened a group chat. The group was lively with conversation, led by the sixth brother, Holt Norman, who was currently complaining, "Look at this! He’s just jealous that the big director likes me, so he hired people to trash me!" "Seriously, are you guys even my brothers? You’re just going to stand by while I get slandered like this?" "Come on, brothers, help me out here~" **Big Brother:** I’m still abroad; you deal with it yourself. **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** I’m not too familiar with this, but I can ask my students to give you some positive publicity. **Earned Another 30 Million Today:** Are you sure you want to ask me for help? You know with family, we settle accounts clearly. **Holt:** ...Fourth Brother, you’re too ruthless. Do you have to charge me so much for legal fees? You’re just ripping off your little brother! **Earned Another 30 Million Today:** Haha, you caught me. **I’m the Champion:** Just contact our company’s PR department. Do you think they’ll just sit by and watch you get slandered? Holt sent a crying emoji in response. **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** Forget it. With your acting skills, no PR team can save you. Why didn’t you win Best Supporting Actor this year? Have you reflected on that? **Holt:** ... Here we go again. Just because you’re in the entertainment industry with Second Brother doesn’t mean you can lecture me! You’re a method actor; I’m an idol! We have different goals, okay? It’s annoying how you keep bringing this up to criticize me! But Holt knew that Second Brother was just trying to help. The idol path is fleeting, and he should transition while he’s still in his twenties. For now, though, he still had a year or two to build up his skills, so he wasn’t too worried. The group chat continued. **Big Brother:** Don’t worry. If you end up too broke to eat, come back and help me at the company. **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. **Holt:** Has anyone asked for my opinion? I don’t want to! **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** What about Third Brother? He should come back. He’s getting old for the army, and his job is dangerous. He should just retire and come home to help out. **Holt:** Yeah, Third Brother should come back. **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** He’s always out on missions, so he probably doesn’t check his phone much. **I’m the Champion:** Big Brother and Second Brother, you should chip in to bring Third Brother back home. **Big Brother:** Sure, I can contribute a million. **Camouflage Looks Best:** I’ve got something to say. **Holt:** Huh? Third Brother’s talking? That’s unusual. **Not an Actor, But a Teacher:** Who’s speaking? Wow, we’ve got a rare sighting here. **I’m the Champion:** Haha, Second Brother, you’re as sharp-tongued as ever. **Camouflage Looks Best:** No jokes. **Camouflage Looks Best:** I have important news. Listen up. **Earned Another 30 Million Today:** We’re listening, Third Brother. What’s up? Hurry, I’ve got a client waiting. **Camouflage Looks Best:** We found our sister. The group chat went silent for at least a minute. Then, the video call function rang. When Itha answered, all six brothers were present. Even the previously silent Seventh Brother, Palmer, had been drawn out. From the background of his video, it was clear he was at a bar, surrounded by flashing lights. As soon as Itha connected, everyone started talking at once. Itha couldn’t make out what anyone was saying, so he shouted, "One at a time! I can’t hear a thing!" Having trained with an army regiment, Itha’s voice was powerful and commanding, immediately quieting everyone. The brothers exchanged glances, their faces flushed with excitement. Finally, Big Brother spoke first, "Where’s our sister? What happened? How did you find her? We’re coming right now!" Seeing his brothers so anxious and excited, Itha finally felt a sense of satisfaction. "I can’t tell you where she is right now, but she’s been found. Also, you need to keep this a secret." "A secret?" Palmer, the youngest, repeated the word, then fell silent. Palmer wasn’t stupid. He understood the implication. "That Alice is a member of the Raphael family. Why should she become our sister?" And besides, that woman! Always with a sour face, acting one way in front of Big Brother and another in front of the rest of us! A sister like that? Palmer wasn’t interested. Big Brother Gray picked up on Itha’s tone, his voice cool as he asked, "Are you worried I’ll tell Alice?" Itha smirked silently. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m worried about. If that sister-in-law of ours finds out and whispers something in your ear, who knows how you’ll act? When Gray received no response, he sighed, "Third Brother, why are you so opposed to Alice?" Itha and Gray were close in age, and Itha knew Gray’s personality well. His tone now cold, Itha replied, "I know you care for our sister-in-law and her sister, but Big Brother, Alice is a Raphael. She should be focusing on her own family’s estate, not coming here to replace our sister! I will never allow anyone to take our sister’s place!" Gray, his expression unreadable, said, "You’re mistaken, Third Brother. No one’s trying to replace our sister. You’re thinking too badly of Alice." Fourth Brother, Tommy Norman, sensing the tension between them, interjected, "If she wants to join our family, what about her inheritance from the Raphael side? Have you discussed this with the Raphael family, Big Brother?" Gray fell silent. Clearly, he hadn’t. Tommy continued, "Big Brother, I know you’re close to Alice, but there are other ways to show you care for her."