True Love Deserves a Second Chance
Chapter 229 I Am the Older Brother

Sebastian's tone wasn't questioning; it was firm. His eyes locked on Leonard.

The room got so quiet they could hear each other's breathing.

After a few seconds, Leonard chuckled. "When did you find out?"

That one sentence made Sebastian's heart sink. Finding out he had a brother in this world was overwhelming. He'd always been wary of Leonard, partly because of his mysterious background and partly because of his feelings for Joyce. He'd considered many scenarios, but never that Leonard was his half-brother.

Sebastian stayed silent for a few seconds before saying, "When I found out doesn't matter. What matters is you knew for a while and suspected Cordelia of framing your mom, investigating in secret, right?"

Leonard didn't hold back. "Yeah, from the first time I saw you, I took your stuff and did a DNA test. I also knew Derek was the jerk who abandoned my mom. If it weren't for Joyce, do you think I'd have waited this long to get back at Derek?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Does Mrs. Guise know?"

"No, but you can tell she has feelings for your dad."

"He's your dad too."

"No, he's not. If it weren't for him, my mom wouldn't have been hurt, and we wouldn't have been hunted all these years. It's all his fault. You call him father because he gave you a cushy life, but he gave me near-death experiences. I believe my mom wouldn't knowingly get involved with a married man, so your dad must've lied to her. After she had me, he ditched her, leaving her to fend for herself."

Leonard, usually calm and elegant, showed emotion now. His deep eyes had a faint red hue.

He couldn't not hate Derek. Thinking of Elise being pregnant alone, almost dying in a fire, enduring immense pain to keep the child, his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Sebastian looked at him meaningfully, his voice a bit hoarse. "This isn't as simple as you think. Maybe my dad was set up too. I'm investigating. If it was Cordelia, she won't get away with it." "Hope you mean it. If Cordelia bothers my mom again, I won't be polite."

"She won't. She can't escape my control," Sebastian said firmly.

Sebastian pulled the somewhat shocked Joyce into his arms, a mysterious smile on his face. "Is it hard to accept that your childhood friend is now your brother-in-law?" Before Joyce could speak, Leonard cut in, "I haven't acknowledged you as my brother, and my relationship with Joyce won't change because of you."

Sebastian was indifferent. "Even if you don't accept me, I'm still your brother. From now on, Joyce is your sister-in-law, and you can't call her casually. It's not proper." "Sebastian!" Leonard gritted his teeth. "Joyce will always be Joyce, the little girl who followed me around. Don't forget, when we were together, you were just a kid." Sebastian chuckled. "Hate to break it to you, but when I met Joyce, she wasn't even born yet. She was my chosen bride from childhood, something you'll never top." The moment he said it, he regretted it. Seeing Joyce's surprised look, he wished he could take it back.

Joyce looked puzzled. "Wasn't that you and Isabella? It was supposed to be the lost child of the Vale Family. How could it be me?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Seeing her doubt, Sebastian quickly changed the subject, pinching her nose and smiling. "My silly girl, you exposed my lie. Are you on his side?"

Joyce didn't think much of it and looked up at Sebastian. "So what now? Should we tell your dad and Mrs. Guise?"

Leonard objected immediately, "Until we know more, I don't want them to know. I don't want anyone thinking my mom was a homewrecker." He never believed that and needed to find the truth to clear Elise's name.

Sebastian nodded. "The person who tried to kill you might not be Cordelia but someone else. If they find out you're alive, you could be in danger."

Joyce suddenly looked worried. "But in the elevator, Cordelia saw Mrs. Guise. Mrs. Guise was shocked too, so Cordelia might suspect something."

"I'll have people protect them and investigate this quickly. Don't worry, it's not good for the baby." Sebastian gently rubbed her head, kissed her, and smiled. "Just focus on the baby and being my bride, okay?" His voice was gentle, his eyes full of affection. He was a different person from the decisive Sebastian in the business world.

Joyce knew he was doing it on purpose. She blushed and pushed him away. "Sebastian, how many times have I told you not to kiss me in front of others?"

Sebastian chuckled. "He's not others; he's my brother."

"That still doesn't work! Besides, he hasn't accepted you yet."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." He smiled, hugging Joyce, and raised an eyebrow at Leonard, clearly provoking him. "What can I say? Being married means you lose some of the freedoms of being single." Leonard chuckled indifferently. "Unless you get the marriage certificate, you're as single as I am."

"Then we'll get it tomorrow."

"You're already in a vegetative state; do you dare to go out?"

"Leonard, are you deliberately opposing me? Show some respect as a younger brother."

"Sorry, I don't have a brother like you!"

They were arguing fiercely when Derek's voice came from the door. "When did you two get so close? Calling each other brother?"

"Who's calling him brother!" they said in unison.

Even their expressions of disdain were the same. This made Derek a bit puzzled. 'Why do I always feel that Leonard has some similarities with Sebastian?'

Derek walked to Leonard's side, looked into his deep eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, and said, "Your mother trusts me a lot. If I take care of her, it should help her recovery. What do you think?"