Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 22: What’s Wrong with Protecting Her?
After Nina Thorne entered the hospital room, Justin Kane followed close behind, his tall frame standing beside her like a guardian.
Then, Justin Kane raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze over them, his powerful aura radiating an oppressive pressure.
He coldly ordered his men, "Guard the door. Don’t let anyone in."
Cole Kane froze once again.
Intimidated by Justin Kane’s fierce presence, coupled with his own long-standing fear of him and his guilt over what had just happened, Cole Kane’s heart pounded anxiously, and he didn’t dare to speak.
Serena Kane was just as guilt-ridden as he was.
She grew especially frightened seeing the way Justin Kane was protecting Nina Thorne.
"Big Brother, are you here to see me?" Serena Kane asked weakly, not daring to meet Justin Kane’s eyes.
After all, he had never liked her.
In all the years since she had been adopted by the Kane family, you could count the number of times the two of them had spoken on one hand.
"You’re not that important," Justin Kane said coldly, not even giving Serena Kane a sidelong glance.
Nina Thorne pressed her lips together to hide a smile.
’He really has a sharp tongue.’
Serena Kane was mortified, but she didn’t dare to throw a tantrum. She could only cast a pleading look at Cole Kane. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Big Brother, Nina Thorne is used to being spoiled. If you keep protecting her like this, she’ll only get worse."
Cole Kane assumed Nina Thorne had been badmouthing them to Justin Kane, and his dissatisfaction with her grew.
He immediately pointed at Nina Thorne and scolded, "I only asked you to apologize to Serena! She just hurt you by accident, and your hand is fine now. Do you hate her so much that you’d actually go and get Big Brother involved?"
Nina Thorne’s scalded hand was wrapped in gauze, clearly visible, yet he could casually dismiss it as being "fine"?
’How ridiculous.’
’What a double standard.’
"She didn’t die, so that’s just a small matter too, right? Why are you forcing me to apologize?" Nina Thorne retorted coldly, refusing to swallow the insult.
Cole Kane was furious. "Nina Thorne, you did something wrong and you’re talking back? You’re getting more and more out of line."
Nina Thorne frowned. Justin Kane patted her shoulder, the look in his eyes growing even colder.
A moment later, his icy gaze swept over to Cole Kane. "If this is how you handle things, the branch company is bound to run into trouble in your hands."
"Big Brother..." Cole Kane was both wary and helpless.
It seemed Justin Kane really was protecting Nina Thorne.p>’But before, Big Brother’s attitude toward Nina was awful. Why the sudden change?’
"Big Brother, it’s not Second Brother’s fault. He was just speaking up for me. If you’re going to blame someone, blame me," Serena Kane continued her weak act.
She refused to believe that Justin Kane would actually fall out with his own brother over Nina Thorne.
Besides, Justin Kane had never liked Nina Thorne before either.
’He’s probably just putting on a show of scolding Cole Kane because Nina got burned, and he’s worried it will affect the relationship between their two families.’
Thinking this, the knot of anxiety in Serena Kane’s chest loosened.
"Big Brother?"
Justin Kane sneered, "Don’t just call me that. My parents never gave me a sister. Serena Locke, you need to learn your place."
’So cool.’
Nina Thorne tilted her head up slightly, her gaze toward Justin Kane a mixture of curiosity and a hint of admiration.
’Is he protecting me? Sticking up for me?’
’This feels really good.’
Serena Kane’s face went pale, then flushed red. Her eyes brimming with tears, she said, "Big Brother, even though I’m just an adopted daughter, I’m still your sister. How could you say something so hurtful?"
"If you don’t like me, I... I’ll just leave the family."
Serena Kane lowered her head, tears dripping onto the bedsheets, looking pitiful and inspiring compassion.
Cole Kane always fell for this act. He stepped forward to defend her. "Big Brother, Serena’s the one being bullied! How can you say such things to hurt her?"
"No matter what, Mom brought her home, so she’s our third sister."
Justin Kane’s sharp gaze swept to him. He sneered, "You’re quite the caring one, aren’t you? So you only know how to bully Nina Thorne?"
Nina Thorne sneered inwardly. ’Third sister?’
’Time and again, he took his anger out on me because of Serena Kane, even trying to force me to kneel and apologize.’
’Anyone who didn’t know better would think this "sister" was his girlfriend.’
As Nina Thorne was thinking, Justin Kane’s low, soft voice sounded from above her. "Nina Thorne, how do you want to handle this?"
Nina Thorne’s beautiful eyes narrowed. "I can do whatever I want?"
Justin Kane’s eyes were full of indulgence. "Of course."
"Alright then." A smile bloomed on Nina Thorne’s lips as she walked toward the hospital bed.
A bad feeling welled up in Serena Kane. Watching Nina approach, she clutched the sheets tightly. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing much. Just came to settle the score with you." The corners of Nina Thorne’s mouth lifted in a smile, but her eyes were ice-cold, devoid of any warmth.
Serena Kane looked at Cole Kane, her face full of fear. "Second Brother, Nina Thorne looks so scary like this. I’m afraid..."
Cole Kane’s heart leaped into his throat. He anxiously shielded the bed, blocking Nina Thorne. "Nina Thorne, what are you trying to do? Don’t you dare hurt Serena!"
He looked at Justin Kane. "Big Brother, are you really going to help this spoiled woman bully Serena?"
"And why not?" Justin Kane stood with his hands in his pockets, his posture lazy but his presence powerful. "What she did, she must naturally pay back."
"Big Brother..." Serena Kane’s voice was choked with tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice. "I never thought you hated me this much."
’He clearly hates Nina Thorne too, yet he’d rather help Nina bully me.’
’If Justin Kane were as easily swayed by me as Cole Kane, then even if Nina Thorne was a rich young lady, she would still have to walk on eggshells around me.’
"Nina Thorne, even if Big Brother is protecting you, I won’t let you hurt Serena."
"If you dare hurt her, I’ll break off our engagement!" Cole Kane’s expression toward Nina Thorne shifted, and he even began to threaten her.
He even expected Nina Thorne to be frightened and beg for his forgiveness.
’Then, Serena wouldn’t be bullied.’
But he was overthinking things. Nina Thorne suddenly burst out laughing. "That would be wonderful. You have to break it off."
Nina Thorne shot him a look as if he were an idiot, then turned to give Justin Kane a meaningful glance.
The latter understood. He raised his hand and gestured, and his men immediately entered and pulled Cole Kane away.
Nina Thorne’s gaze fell on the thermos on the bedside table, which had been refilled with hot water.
Cole Kane was instantly filled with a terrible premonition. "What are you doing?! Nina Thorne, what are you trying to do?"
"Big Brother, you can’t indulge her! She’s our sister!"
"..."
Nina Thorne frowned. "You’re so noisy."
SLAP.
Nina Thorne’s uninjured right hand swung and slapped him across the face. The loud, crisp sound echoed through the hospital room.
Cole Kane’s eyes turned crimson. He gritted his teeth and spat, "You dare hit me?"
Nina Thorne sneered. "Don’t worry, your turn is coming soon."
With that said, Nina Thorne’s gaze darkened. With a push of her hand, the thermos fell onto Serena Kane. Hot water spilled everywhere, soaking through the sheets and scalding Serena Kane’s chest.
"AHHH, IT’S HOT..."
Serena Kane shrieked, struggling to get off the bed.
But in her panic, her feet got tangled in the sheets, causing her to fall heavily from the bed to the floor.
"It’s so hot! Second Brother, Second Brother, help me..."
Serena Kane’s cries were incessant. A searing pain spread across her body as she frantically clawed at the sheets clinging to her.
The hospital gown over her chest was visibly soaked, clinging to her skin. The exposed area of her neck was clearly turning red.
"Serena!"
Cole Kane’s eyes went wide. Seeing Serena Kane’s state, he was both shocked and terrified. He roared at Nina Thorne, "Are you crazy? How could you be so vicious!"
His arms were pinned by two of the men, and he couldn’t break free. He could only glare at Nina Thorne, his eyes bulging with rage as if he wanted to kill her.
"Just an eye for an eye."
Nina Thorne walked impassively over to Cole Kane, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Don’t worry. Now it’s your turn."
