Chapter 5 Engagement

Erin's POV:

After finishing our statements, I walked out and saw my brother Leopold standing by his car, staring at me.

Seeing him made me feel both heartbroken and guilty, so I stood there without moving.

Leopold walked toward me and spoke in a deep voice. "Erin. Why did you run away from home? Have you been hiding here for five years?"

I pressed my lips together, knowing I couldn't avoid this. I told him everything that happened five years ago.

For five years, I thought I had let go of what happened before. But talking about it in front of my brother, I couldn't help choking up.

A flash of guilt crossed Leopold's eyes.

"Erin, I failed to protect you. Don't worry, I'll deal with Gloria. As for Dad... he got over his anger long ago. He's missed you all these years."

I didn't respond. Because Dad valued Leopold so much, they had always had a good relationship.

The Dad in Leopold's eyes was different from the Dad in mine.

I couldn't blame him. He hadn't experienced what I went through, so he couldn't understand my feelings.

"But you shouldn't have just run off without a word. Gone for five years. Do you know how long I looked for you? How worried I was?" Leopold ruffled my hair.

The long-missed feeling of being cared for made my nose sting.

My eyes reddened uncontrollably. I looked up at Leopold.

"I'm sorry, brother. I had my reasons."

Leopold looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

"I was pregnant. You know Dad would never have allowed me to give birth to this child."

Leopold took a deep breath. His face darkened.

"So now, has the child been found?"

From that phone call earlier, my brother should already know about Harrison being taken.

Mentioning Harrison, my tears couldn't help falling.

I shook my head and grabbed Leopold's arm, pleading with him.

"Brother, please, help me find Harrison."

Leopold lifted his hand to wipe away my tears, but spoke ruthlessly.

"If you can't find him, stop looking. A bastard child brought back to the Perez family would only be killed."

Leopold's cold words made him seem both strange and realistic to me.

He truly was the heir Dad had trained. Just as cold-blooded.

I pushed him away angrily. "No, Harrison is my child. I have to find him. I won't return to the Perez family. Brother, just pretend you never found me. Let me and Harrison live quietly."

Leopold looked at me like I was an idiot.

"You're too naive, Erin. When you called me, Dad was there too. He knows you're here. You can't escape. Since you care so much about the child, do you want to wait for Dad to make his move? You know the consequences..."

In an instant, all the strength seemed drained from my body.

I was angry but powerless.

I knew Dad's methods. He would never allow Harrison to damage the family's reputation. He wouldn't spare Harrison.

"Erin, if you can't protect the child, you shouldn't try to get him back!" Leopold's words were harsh but true.

"Besides, have you forgotten how Mom died? These five years, Gloria has taken everything that belonged to you. Everyone outside thinks she's the Perez family princess. Erin, you need to shoulder your responsibilities. You need to assist me. The Perez family can't fall into the hands of that mother and daughter!"

How could I forget?

Back then, stepmother Hilda was Dad's mistress. Even when Mom was sick, she would come to provoke her.

She literally made Mom die of anger!

Although I understood my brother's meaning, I was still worried about Harrison.

Leopold stepped forward and placed his hand on my shoulder, trying to persuade me.

"Besides, you can't protect the child now. It's better to wait until you have the ability to protect him before bringing him back. Don't worry, I'll help you look for him during this time."

I fell silent.

It seemed I didn't have much choice.

"If you really want to see your child again, come with me now."

Leopold stuffed me into the car without question, not giving me any chance to refuse.

My brother brought me to an estate, confiscated my phone, and didn't allow me to contact the outside world.

He said to wait until everything settled down, but I knew he was essentially keeping me under house arrest.

Two days later, the Perez family banquet was held in the largest hotel ballroom in Varedo.

I wore the haute couture dress my brother had prepared and walked slowly into the ballroom on his arm.

When I saw Gloria, I wanted to rush up and smash her face. But Leopold stopped me.

"Stay calm," Leopold told me.

I could only suppress the anger in my heart.

Gloria turned pale with fear when she saw me. Did such a vicious woman also know fear?

"Erin, where have you been all these years? You just ran away in a huff after being grounded for two days! Your father has been looking for you." Hilda was the first to react, immediately coming over to fake concern for me.

Dad snorted coldly at her words, his dissatisfaction growing more intense.

If that bullet hadn't whizzed past my ear five years ago, I might have actually believed Dad was looking for me out of concern.

"Sister, have you been well these years? Dad, Mom, and I have all been worried about you!" Gloria came over warmly and linked arms with me.

I didn't expect her to be so shameless. I immediately shook off her hand.

"You were thinking of killing me."

"Shut up! How dare you talk to your sister like that?" Dad Lorenzo scolded angrily. "Gone for five years, and the first thing you do when you come back is make everyone unhappy!"

"I didn't want to come back either. I know this family doesn't welcome me! I'm leaving right now!"

I turned to leave as I spoke.

But Leopold blocked me. I was always a little afraid when facing my brother.

He wouldn't let me go, so I could only stay obediently.

"All you do is make me angry! Not at all as sensible and obedient as Gloria!" Dad glared at me fiercely.

It didn't matter. In Dad's heart, I could never compare to Gloria.

"Stay here properly. I'll introduce you to someone later." Dad threw out this sentence.

Then he walked onto the stage, took Gloria and Kai's hands, and spoke with a smile.

"I have good news to announce to everyone. My youngest daughter Gloria and Kai, the heir of the Thomas family, will be engaged today!"