Chapter 3900

“Lucas,” Chelsea snapped at her son. “Those snacks were bought for Sonny by your uncle. Put the plate down and share with your little brother. You’re the older one—you should know how to take care of him.”
Chelsea had always tried to teach Lucas to get along with Sonny, but her words never seemed to resonate.
However, things were different now.
Sonny wasn’t just any kid; he was the stepson of Duncan Lewis, a man of wealth and influence. His mother, Liberty, was financially stable, and his aunt Serenity was even richer. Sonny had earned the title of Young Master Sonny.
He was practically a little lord.
Chelsea had long recognized the potential benefits of Lucas developing a strong bond with Sonny. If Lucas played his cards right and built a deep brotherly connection, he could secure a small piece of Sonny’s future fortune—an inheritance that could easily provide Lucas with a comfortable life.
With this thought in mind, Chelsea walked over, took the plate from Lucas’s hands, and returned it to the coffee table. She smiled sweetly at Sonny. “Sonny, these are all for you. Go ahead and eat. Your dad bought them especially for you.”
She even grabbed a handful of snacks and offered them to him.
But Sonny shook his head politely. “Mom said I shouldn’t eat too many snacks.”
Sonny wasn’t lacking for food; at home, he had all sorts of delicious treats. Engaging in a snack dispute with Lucas didn’t interest him at all.
“Mom, I want them! I want to eat them!” Lucas whined, reaching for the snacks.
Chelsea swatted his hand away, her authority clear. She glared at him, her voice low and sharp. Lucas had promised to behave before.

They left the house. He understood how important it was to make Sonny feel welcome. Why can’t this boy just listen? Chelsea’s frustration boiled over. Earlier, she and Hank had argued about this very issue. She insisted that Lucas and Sonny needed to develop a close brotherly bond. Hank, however, accused her of trying to manipulate Sonny for her own benefit, calling her selfish and claiming she always prioritized her own interests—and those of her immediate family—over everyone else’s.

Hank’s life had taken a sharp downturn recently. His lucrative job was long gone, his marriage had fallen apart, and he was barely scraping by. He had little sympathy left for his sister, who still tried to take advantage of him at every opportunity.

But Chelsea could only blame herself. Years of Hank indulging her had fostered a sense of entitlement. Now, with the Brown family’s fortunes declining, she clung to any opportunity to gain an advantage—even if it meant exploiting Sonny.

Realizing he had crossed the line, Lucas slouched back, chastened. For now, he would behave. Still, jealousy simmered beneath the surface. Everyone else in the room—his grandparents, his uncle, even his own parents—was entirely focused on Sonny. They surrounded him, fussing over him and asking how he was doing, as if he were royalty.

Lucas’s small hands clenched into fists, his face darkening. He couldn’t stand it. Why did Sonny always receive all the attention? Why did everyone treat him like he was so special? It’s not fair, Lucas thought bitterly. Why does Sonny get to be the center of everyone’s world?