"I didn't take it. If you don't believe me, check for yourselves."
After saying this, Lin Cohen turned out the pockets of his clothes, revealing nothing. There was no sign of the missing string. "See? It's not with me. So, to be fair, why don't we check everyone else too? That would only be reasonable, wouldn't it?"
"Whatever." Yang Mo spat out the word coldly. He knew he hadn't taken the string, so he had nothing to fear. But deep down, his disgust toward this so-called 'family' grew stronger.
"Uncle Li, please search him," Lin Andong ordered.
"Yes, Mister Lin."
Li Bo, standing to the side, hesitated for a moment before stepping toward Yang Mo. His expression was conflicted as he extended his hand. "I'm sorry, Young Master."
Yang Mo's face remained expressionless. He glanced at Qiao Yun and the rest of his so-called sisters. They had just acted as if they believed in him, but now, when someone was actually going to search him, not one of them spoke up in protest.
This is family?
How is this any different from before?
Suddenly, Li Bo pulled a small wooden string from Yang Mo's pocket.
"Ha! It's my string!" Lin Ruan gasped, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected it to actually turn up in Yang Mo's possession. But why would he take something so insignificant? It didn't make sense.
"Good! You really are a dog that can't change its ways! I was thinking about welcoming you back today, but I never expected you to steal the moment you returned! The evidence is right in front of us—what do you have to say for yourself?" Lin Andong's voice was filled with fury, but in his heart, he was secretly pleased.
Finally, a legitimate excuse.
Now, if he drove Yang Mo away, Qiao Yun would have no reason to object.
"Ha..." Qiao Yun gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "Little Mo, is it really you? Why would you take your sister's string?"
Lin Niao looked stunned. She had just started changing her opinion of Yang Mo, and now this? Why was he stealing again?
The eyes of the entire Lin family locked onto Yang Mo, filled with suspicion, disappointment, and anger.
Yang Mo, however, remained calm. In fact, he even chuckled.
"Just a moment ago, you all were talking about family. Now, the moment something goes missing, you immediately assume I stole it?"
"It's not that we're suspecting you," Lin Andong snapped, pointing at the string in Li Bo's hand. "The evidence is undeniable. It was found in your pocket! How do you explain that?"
"Ha! A dog truly cannot change its ways!" Lin Andong turned to Qiao Yun, his voice laced with mockery. "Qiao Yun, look at your so-called 'good son'—the one you've been so desperate to bring back!"
Qiao Yun hesitated, her expression conflicted. "Mo... why did you do this again?"
"Dad, call the police!" Lin Jundong insisted. "We can't go easy on him this time. If we do, he'll only become more brazen!"
Lin Andong nodded, pulling out his phone. "You're right. This time, we won't tolerate it."
Just as he was about to dial, Lin Cohen hurried forward. "Dad, let's forget about it. If we call the police, how will Brother Yang Mo have any face left in the future? The college entrance exam is coming up—if we do this, we'll ruin his life."
On the surface, Lin Cohen appeared to be pleading for Yang Mo's sake. In reality, he was rejoicing inside.
Now that he's been 'caught stealing,' no one will ever believe in him again.
Even if some of his sisters had lingering doubts about the past, they wouldn't be able to say anything now. More importantly, the entire family now saw Yang Mo as a thief. There was no place for him in the Lin family anymore.
"No! He must be taught a lesson!" Lin Andong declared. "He was given a second chance, and now he's stolen again!"
"Dad, please, let it go," Lin Niao pleaded. "Even if he did steal, he still saved my life."
"Yes, Dad. This string isn't worth much," Lin Ruan added, sighing as she retrieved her item. "I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose."
Yang Mo observed them silently. His eyes were cold and indifferent.
"Yang Mo, you always say our Lin family treats you badly," Lin Andong sneered. "But look at this—everyone is pleading for you. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Yang Mo chuckled as he stood up. He finally understood what had happened.
Lin Cohen had pretended to toast him earlier, but in reality, he had stolen Lin Ruan's string and secretly slipped it into Yang Mo's pocket.
A brilliant move.
Not only had he turned the entire family against Yang Mo, but he had also labeled him a thief.
Classic Lin Cohen.
In the past, Yang Mo probably would have panicked, blamed himself, and apologized immediately. But now?
That was impossible.
He pulled out his phone and smirked. "Since I'm a thief, why don't I call the police myself?"
The room fell silent.
Everyone stared at him, stunned.
Calling the police on himself?
Is he insane?
Lin Xia's face paled. "Yang Mo, don't be impulsive. If you call the police, your future will be ruined!"
Yang Mo sneered. "Oh? If you all believe I'm a thief, then sending me to jail is exactly what you want, right?"
Lin Andong's eyes flickered with hesitation before he made an offer. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. If you leave the Lin family right now, we'll drop this."
Yang Mo looked at him, his expression unreadable. Then, he exhaled sharply and laughed.
"Leave the Lin family? Do you think I ever wanted to stay here? If it wasn't for your daughter clinging to me like dead weight, I wouldn't have stepped foot in this damn house."
He glanced at the stunned faces around him, then turned toward the door.
"Good," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Very good."