Part 1The Psych Ward Survival Guide for Good Girls

After I beat up the fake heiress, my brothers threw me into a psych ward.

When I finally got out, I was exceptionally well-behaved.

If my brothers told me to go East, I didn’t even dare glance West.

But why did the fake heiress suddenly become even more well-behaved than me?

Dr. Keller always told me: if they don’t throw the first punch, I can’t hit back. That’s the basic code of conduct for a psychiatric patient.

Huh?

What a joke. Making someone throw the first punch? That’s easy.

I have a million ways to make that happen.

* * *

The day my second brother, Liam, came to pick me up from the asylum, I was wearing a babydoll top and denim overalls. My hands were obediently folded in front of me, and my eyes were cast downward. All traces of my former arrogance were completely wiped clean.

Liam looked me up and down and finally spoke, sounding satisfied.

"Do you know what you did wrong?"

I nodded obediently and recited the exact script Dr. Keller had drilled into me.

"I'm sorry, Liam. I was jealous of Chloe, and that's why I paid those thugs to bully her. I was wrong. I'll never do it again."

Just the right amount of grievance. Just the right amount of remorse. Eyes brimming with tears, but so full of shame that I didn't dare let them fall. I had spent a long time practicing this exact look, modeling it perfectly after Chloe.

Sure enough, Liam bought it.

He raised his noble hand and patted my head like he was bestowing a grand charity.

"Good girl. If you hadn't gone so far this time, Arthur wouldn't have locked you up in the psych ward."

"From now on, get along with Chloe."

I mimicked Chloe again, nuzzling gently into his palm.

Just as I expected, Liam smiled, genuinely pleased.

Neither of us noticed Dr. Evans, the asylum director, standing nearby, violently shuddering.

I tilted my head and shot him a sideways glance. Cold sweat immediately beaded on his forehead.

"M-Mr. Sterling, if there's nothing else you need, I'll leave you to your sibling reunion."

Liam nodded.

"You did a good job. The Sterling family's investment funds will be wired over shortly."

"Th-thank you!"

After thanking him, Dr. Evans hastily turned to practically sprint away.

"The Director sure is quick on his feet..." I commented softly.

Thud.

Dr. Evans face-planted onto the pavement.

Then, under Liam's bewildered gaze, he scrambled up and ran for his life, looking as if the devil himself was chasing him.

"Liam, can I go home now?"

Seeing my docile expression, Liam nodded.

But he didn't forget to warn me, "If you ever bully Chloe again, even if Arthur doesn't lock you up, I will!"

"Okay."

I nodded obediently.