Since everyone was on leave for the Lunar New Year, Matthew and Erica decided to stay at the Li family residence for a few more days. Over the next few days, the Li residence was filled with laughter.

One day, Erica seized an opportunity and snuck into her brother's room.

Gifford was working out with two dumbbells. When he saw her enter, he resisted the urge to kick her out. "Oh, it's you, Miss Troublemaker. What do you want from me?" he asked. His instincts led him to believe that she must be plotting something against him. However, fearful of how Wesley would react should he misbehave, Gifford curbed the urge to throw her out.

Erica ignored his sarcasm, closed the door, and jumped onto his bed. Oblivious to his growing annoyance, she lay down and crossed her legs. "Gifford, can we talk?"

He cast a sidelong glance at his sister, who seemed to behave as though this was her room. The more comfortable and carefree she appeared, the angrier he became. He firmly refused, "No!"

Only Erica dared to be so presumptuous in his room. Perhaps her confidence came from her knowing that he would not beat her.

"Don't be so heartless, Gifford. I did what's best for you. Think about it. You can't possibly continue to be a jerk now, can you?" Erica shifted her body, placed one arm under her head, and looked sideways at the man who was still immersed in his exercise.

Gifford stiffened when he realized what she was going to say. He put down the dumbbells and sneered, "If you hadn't tricked me, I wouldn't need to be a jerk. Since you dared to scheme against me, I will behave however I please!"

What gnawed at him was that he had returned three days ago, but he still hadn't decided how he would deal with the matter between him and Chantel.

He knew that there were only two options. The first was to be cruel and send her away as if nothing had happened between them.

The other was to marry her and take responsibility.

However, there was a considerable age gap between them. He was twelve years older than Chantel! The age difference, among other things, led him to believe they were unsuitable for each other.

"Well, does it matter that we tricked you? Think about it. I'm your sister. I always have your best interest in mind. What we did isn't as awful as you believe. And Chantel is so young. How could she scheme against you? Wouldn't you agree?"

Gifford mulled over Erica's argument for a while. But all he

and patted him as if she were comforting a child. "Honey, don't cry. I'll be good to you in the future. As long as you are obedient, I'll buy you whatever you want."

Matthew, who buried his face in her arms, was rendered speechless. 'What? Does she think I'm a three-year-old child? It doesn't matter. Her affection is a welcome change!'

On the afternoon of the second day, Matthew was engaged in his work in the study. As Gifford was not at home, Yvette took the opportunity to accompany Erica and Chantel on their shopping trip.

Before they returned home, the three headed to the supermarket.

In the supermarket

The three women separated to buy what they wanted. While Chantel and Yvette went to pick up drinks, Erica made her way toward the snack aisle.

As she pushed the shopping cart around a corner, Erica's curiosity was piqued by a man and a woman who stood before a shelf, whispering about something.

"Honey, we don't need them, okay?" the man said.

"We must use them. I'll get pregnant without them," the woman protested anxiously.

"No, you won't. I won't ejaculate inside you. Besides, it doesn't feel good to use them," the man rationalized.

"Then, we'll buy thin ones."

The man sighed helplessly. "Okay."

After grabbing a box of condoms from the shelf, the man began walking toward the payment counter. He turned and saw a girl standing in front of the aisle. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

The couple didn't dwell on what the girl was doing. They shot her a curious look and left.

Erica studied the condoms in front of her. They were full of different scents and sizes.