Chapter 207
From a young age, Ethan was immersed in a prestigious education.
Skills like swimming, which were essential for survival, were things he had mastered by the the was just a
few years old. In kindergarten, swimming lessons were mandatory, seen as a crucial part of ensuring a child's
safety. At the end of the term, they even had swimming competitions.
Marvin, on the other hand, hadn't learned to swim yet. Last year, an accidental fall into the ocean had left him
with a fear of water. Still, he knew he had to learn and was determined to overchis fear before the end of
the term.
Stella had encouraged him when she heard about his plan.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Keen suddenly paused, his breath catching. He had almost forgotten he could swim.
Not too long ago, Marvin had caught him trailing them.
"Keen, | didn't expect you'd follow us all the way here. Now that you have, what do you think?"
Keen was infuriated by the friendly connection between Marvin and Stella. He retorted harshly, "I'm Mom's son.
No matter how much she cares for you, you'll never take my place."
"I get to call her Mom, and you can only call her Stella. That's the difference between us."
"Mom's just upset withright now. You're only a stand-in."
"You really think if | just go apologize and sweet-talk her, she wouldn't cback toand leave you behind?"
Marvin's eyes narrowed. He often provoked Keen and had managed to win Stella's favor a few times. Yet, deep
down, he knew Keen still held a more significant place in Stella's heart.
But Marvin wasn't worried. He believed that with enough tand by being good to Stella, he could eventually
becmore important to her than Keen.
Being young, though, patience wasn't his strongest suit. Hearing Keen's words made him anxious. His bond with
Stella wasn't strong enough yet. If Keen did go to charm Stella, she might very well choose him over Marvin.
He couldn't let that happen. He had to act. His eyes drifted to the nearby lake, and he recalled how Rachel had
framed Stella by pretending to fall down the stairs. Without his recorded video, Stella would have been unjustly
accused by Keen and Mr. O'Brien.
Marvin hatched a plan. He taunted, "If I'm not as important as you, why did Stella share your secret with me?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmKeen took the bait. "Secret? What secret?"
"Not telling!" Marvin said, taking a few steps toward the lake. "I'm going to find Stella. I'm done talking to you."
Curiosity got the better of Keen. He had to know what secret his mom had supposedly shared with this
troublemaker, so he followed.
"Marvin, con, tell me! What did Mom say?"
"Nope, not saying a word!"
As they tussled, Marvin deliberately fell into the lake, flashing a triumphant grin just before he splashed in.
"If | tell Stella you pushed me, she'll stay withto take care of me."
Keen was stunned by Marvin's cunning move. For a moment, he was frozen. By the the snapped back to his
senses, Marvin was already floundering in the lake, crying for help!