The Lost Brother and the Secret of the Factory

“Is he... smiling?”

My sister’s hesitant voice broke through the tense air.

“What the hell? This little punk actually has the guts to laugh?” Hazel, clearly furious, yanked me up by my hair, forcing my head back.

The filthy water had washed away some of the blood on my face. My sister’s eyes widened slightly, startled by what she saw. “Why are there so many scars on his face?”

Through the reflection in her eyes, I caught a glimpse of myself—thin, jagged scars crisscrossed my features like grotesque earthworms crawling over my skin.

I looked horrific. Hideous. How ridiculous was I to think she would recognize me? Even I barely recognized myself anymore.

“We had to do it,” Hazel said hurriedly. “This brat wasn’t trustworthy. What if he charmed one of the female workers and tried to escape?”

Shannon nodded in agreement. “Exactly! He was too good-looking. If we left his face intact, sooner or later, it would’ve caused trouble.”

My sister sighed, nodding. “A shame, really. He could have been put to better use in the casino—entertaining wealthy women, playing cards, drinking with them. He’d have brought in way more money.”

Shannon's face flashed with regret. “Ugh, my mistake! Next time, I’ll be more careful and start with fresh, handsome ones like him.”

Hazel clicked her tongue in frustration. “Yeah, the guys you’ve brought in before were all subpar. This one actually had potential, and you wasted it…”

“You say he was good-looking?” Fionna asked, her curiosity piqued. “Let me see!”

Shannon laughed bitterly. “My phone was confiscated earlier, so I don’t have a photo.”

Then, Shannon suddenly remembering something, she patted her coat pocket. “But I do have his ID and diploma!”

Fionna’s eyes lit up. “Hurry, show me!”

Shannon pulled out my documents, and Fionna eagerly snatched them up, flipping through them.

“Damn,” she whistled. “This kid had the face of a pretty boy, but look at those pecs—he’s got that dangerous charm. If his face hadn’t been ruined, he could’ve made a fortune as an escort.”

At that moment, my sister returned, wiping her face with a towel.

“Flying Fish?” she murmured, reading my name off the ID. “That’s kind of similar to mine... Flying in the sky.”

Shannon immediately fawned over her. “Boss, don’t compare yourself to this nobody!”

“You’re the mighty phoenix soaring in the sky—he’s just a dead fish that can’t even swim, let alone fly. What’s that saying again…” She snapped her fingers, trying to remember.

“The sparrow cannot comprehend the ambitions of the swan,” Hazel chimed in.

My sister chuckled, amused. She tossed the towel at Hazel’s face. “Oh, shut up. You dropped out of high school, and now you’re quoting poetry?”

Hazel pulled the towel off, grinning. “It’s all because of you, Boss! You’re one of the only college graduates in the entire operation.”

She glanced at Shannon and added playfully, “I still remember the way you used to scold the young master—telling him to study hard so he could make something of himself…”

The room fell silent. My sister’s smile faded instantly. She reached for my diploma, taking it from Shannon’s hands. Her fingers brushed over the embossed golden lettering. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.

“If Alan were still alive… he’d be twenty-two now. He should have graduated from college this year too…”

As she spoke, she absently flipped open the diploma. Then, she froze. Her expression shifted in an instant. Her body went rigid. Eyes wide with shock, she stared at the photo inside.