Chapter 531

Preston Valentine's gaze fell on Evelyn Ross.

His jawline was tense.

His voice held a barely perceptible tremor.

"Sister."

He paused.

"Do you really... not care about me and your fifth sister-in-law?"

Evelyn frowned.

Ethan Valentine had already rushed over.

"Preston!"

He positioned himself in front of Evelyn.

"What nonsense are you talking? Sister just came home. We're still getting to know each other. How can you say such a thing?"

Susan Langley gently took Preston's hand.

"Preston."

Her voice was soft.

"Don't be like this... You've been hoping for a sister for so many years. Of course your feelings run deep. But Evelyn is different. She didn't grow up in the Valentine family. There are so many siblings... She's not close to you all yet. A wedding dress is a very personal item. It's understandable she wouldn't lend it to me..."

Preston lowered his head.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah."

He murmured.

"We hold our sister in the palm of our hands. We only have one sister. But our sister? She has six older brothers and one younger brother. What do I even count for in her heart?"

He suddenly looked up.

His gaze pierced straight toward Evelyn.

"If the dress could be lent to our eldest sister-in-law, why can't it be lent to me? Am I not your brother too?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together.

Her throat felt tight.

Susan's words were like a knife.

They laid bare a truth she didn't want to face.

Her feelings for these seven brothers.

They truly weren't deep enough.

She hadn't grown up with them.

After being recognized by the Valentine family, she hadn't moved back in.

For most of the brothers, she'd only met them three times.

How could there be deep affection?

But they were different.

They had hoped for a sister for so many years.

They held a natural expectation and doting affection for her.

Evelyn took a deep breath.

She wanted to say something.

Ethan had already thrown a punch.

His fist connected with Preston's face.

"Are you insane?!"

Ethan roared.

"Little sister just came home, she's not even settled in yet, and you're already demanding returns?"

Preston covered his face.

His eyes reddened.

"Then let me ask you."

His voice was hoarse.

"If I was getting married and was short a suit, would you be willing to lend me your wedding suit in an emergency?"

Ethan faltered.

Of course he would.

They were brothers.

But he couldn't say that.

Saying it would be driving a knife into his sister's heart.

He was speechless.

Preston let out a derisive laugh.

"You would."

"I would too."

"If any of you brothers were getting married, I could take it out unconditionally. Because we are family."

His fingers clenched the hem of his shirt.

"Right now, we treat our sister as family."

"But our sister?"

"Does she treat us as family?"

Preston didn't fight back.

He just stared fixedly at Evelyn.

"I just realized it now."

"The sister I've always held in the highest regard."

"She doesn't have me in her heart at all."

"Or perhaps, I hold some position in her heart."

"But that position..."

He gave a bitter smile.

"It's insignificant."

Ethan shouted sharply, "Shut up!"

Charles Valentine also spoke up. "Fifth brother, you're going too far. Cousin Evelyn has been good to us. Feelings need time to develop. I believe as we spend more time together, she'll come to see us as her real brothers."

Preston shook his head.

"Listen to yourselves."

"So you all know."

"You all know the feelings between us and her are not equal."

Susan added at the opportune moment.

"Preston, don't say that."

"Little sister suffered outside since she was young, while you all grew up in comfort. The Valentine family... owes her something."

Preston's head snapped up.

His eyes were bloodshot.

"It wasn't me who lost her!"

His voice rose.

"What do I owe her?"

"When she came home, I was overjoyed. I gave her my most cherished things to welcome her."

"And the result?"

"Turns out I'm the one who owes her."

He repeated.

"I owe her."

Preston felt like a joke.

Ethan's brow was deeply furrowed.

"Our affection for our sister was never about expecting anything in return. Isn't that what family love is? Do I treat you well so that you'll treat me well later?"

Preston laughed.

The laugh was bleak.

"But feelings are mutual."

"You don't need to give me anything. I know that in the face of hardship, we would risk our lives for each other."

He looked at Evelyn.

"But what about little sister?"

"Does she have that kind of feeling for me?"

Evelyn's heart clenched.

A strong sense of crisis washed over her.

That unmarked number had sent a text.

The fox had arrived.

It was here to sabotage her relationship with the Five Great Families.

She had always thought it was the Evans family.

She had also always thought that the Valentine family was deeply bound to her.

After all, she was a Valentine.

But at this moment.

Susan's presence made her suddenly see clearly.

It turned out she and the Valentine family.

Weren't bound that tightly either.

She hadn't grown up in the Valentine family.

Her feelings for these brothers.

Couldn't withstand scrutiny.

Ethan was still speaking up for her.

"Of course little sister has feelings for you!"

"If she didn't, would she care whether you and Susan get married or not?"

"If she didn't, would she keep doubting Susan?"

"If she didn't, would she know that hacking into someone's phone is illegal, an invasion of privacy, and still take the risk to do it, just to get that photo to prove something?!"

His voice was firm.

"Even though she misunderstood Susan."

"But if she had no feelings for you, she could just offer insincere blessings. Why play the villain here?"

"Isn't it because she's afraid you'll be deceived?"

Ethan stared at Preston.

"How can you be so confused?"

Preston was stunned.