My Sister’s Secret System Picked the Wrong Victim Chapter 02

My Sister’s Secret System Picked the Wrong Victim Chapter 02

Chelsea’s smile flickered, irritation flashing behind her eyes at having her plan interrupted.

“Then I’ll get you some mints. Sugar-free, so you won’t gain a thing.”

She dug a small tin of mints out of her bag and held it out.

Mom sighed beside her.

“Just take it. Your sister’s being so nice to you and you’re still being difficult?”

I took the tin but didn’t open it.

If I ate one, that thirty grand would vanish the same way all that other money had.

And Mom and Dad would just say it again.

“Wasting money again? Serves you right.”

The money already lost couldn’t be clawed back by making a scene.

But what if more than one person ate her food this time?

Chelsea watched me, still smiling, her face the picture of concern.

“Josie, why aren’t you eating one? They’re sugar-free. You won’t gain weight.”

Dad snapped.

“It’s a mint. Why are you dragging this out? We’ve spoiled you rotten, haven’t we?”

I didn’t move.

One thought looped in my head.

Would it still work if someone else ate her candy?

“Mom, want to try one?”

I popped the tin open and held one out to her.

“Chelsea bought them. They’re probably good.”

Mom blinked, reaching for it, and Chelsea’s expression changed in an instant.

“No—”

Her voice shot up so fast everyone in the room froze.

Dad frowned.

“Chelsea, why are you reacting like that?”

She scrambled to smile.

“Dad, Mom doesn’t like sweets. You forgot?”

Mom pulled her hand back.

“Oh, right. I don’t really like sweet things. Josie, you have one.”

That was when the comments popped up again.

[Wait, does she suspect something?]

[Look at her face. She panicked for a second there, hahaha.]

[Of course she panicked. The system kicks in automatically.]

[The second someone eats food Chelsea intentionally gave them, the money transfers within the hour.]

It clicked into place.

If Mom had actually eaten that mint, her paycheck and savings would have poured straight into Chelsea’s account, every last cent.

Then it would only be a matter of time before the whole system got exposed.

I lowered my eyes.

I had a plan now.

Chelsea pressed the tin straight into my hand.

“Here, Josie, eat one already. Don’t worry Mom and Dad.”

Her palm was warm.

Her smile was gentle and flawless.

Over the years, every time money went missing, Chelsea would kindly buy me meals.

Then she would announce in front of Mom and Dad, “Josie’s broke again. I covered her.”

Mom and Dad praised her for being so thoughtful, then turned around and scolded me for not knowing how to manage money.

A month before the SAT, the last three hundred dollars in my account disappeared.

That was supposed to cover my living expenses and school supplies for the whole month.

I cried myself sick that night.

Chelsea pushed open my door, smiling.

“It’s fine. I’ll lend it to you.”

But when Mom and Dad found out, they said I was reckless with money and was distracting Chelsea from her own studying.

They gave me another five hundred dollars and warned me again not to waste it.

The morning of the SAT, Chelsea handed me an energy bar and said it would help with stamina.

I ate it.

When I went to pay for the cab, I found the money in my account gone.

Thankfully, I still made it to the testing center in time.

My score came in thirty points higher than Chelsea’s.

I took a breath and looked up, meeting her concerned gaze.

I didn’t open the tin.

I slipped it straight into my pocket.

Chelsea blinked.

“Why aren’t you eating one?”

“Just ate. Still got a taste in my mouth. I’ll have one later.”

Mom snapped immediately.

“What is wrong with you? Your sister’s being nice enough to give you candy and you’re still finding excuses!”

Dad’s face darkened too.

“It’s candy, Josie. Just take it. Why do you always have to make everything difficult?”

Chelsea waved her hands quickly.

“Dad, Mom, it’s fine. Let it go. If Josie doesn’t want one, she doesn’t have to eat it.”

But I saw the smile she couldn’t quite hold back at the corner of her mouth.

If I blew up right now and said there was something wrong with her candy, Mom and Dad would just think I was making trouble.

In their eyes, Chelsea was perfect, and I was the reckless, lying, ungrateful kid.

The second she said that, their anger flared even hotter.

“Your sister does nothing but look out for you, and this is what you do? I swear, I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

Dad scoffed.

“Good grades and nothing else going for her. Forget it. Let her eat one or not.”