My Brother's Greedy Fiancée

When Charles said he was bringing his girlfriend home to meet the family, I was in the study sorting through old photos left by our parents. He made a point of saying that his girlfriend, Tina Brown, is young and straightforward, and asked me to be more patient. I smiled and replied without giving it much thought. After all, Charles Gordon is my younger brother, someone I've watched grow up; if he finds someone he likes, I should be happy for him. The day we met, the family had prepared a huge spread of dishes. Tina was dressed to the nines; as soon as she walked in, she grabbed Charles's arm, but her eyes kept darting around the villa. Halfway through the meal, Tina suddenly put down her chopsticks and looked directly at me. "Una, just kidding," she smirked, but her tone was sharp. "You and Charles are so close, don't you think outsiders might suspect something's going on between you?" I was momentarily stunned, not knowing what she meant. Mrs. Gordon's face immediately darkened. "Tina, don't say nonsense at the dinner table." But Tina didn't stop. She leaned in closer and said, "Una, I heard you're the Gordon family's adopted daughter. You're already thirty and still not married. Is it because... you can't bear to let go of Charles?" "Everyone calls you 'Ex-Wife', accusing you of holding onto the Gordon family's spot." Her words hit me like a slap in the face. My status as the adopted daughter was a vulnerable spot deep in my heart, and she ripped it open right in front of the whole family. Charles quickly interjected, "Tina, don't say that. Una is my sister. We're family." Mrs. Gordon put down her chopsticks, her voice cold and firm: "Tina, in the Gordon family, we don't tolerate jokes like this. Una is the daughter I've recognized—no one can say a word against her." Tina's face went pale from being called out, but she still retorted, "Mrs. Gordon, I was just kidding. Please don't be angry." The dinner ended on a sour note. I returned to my room, hoping for some peace and quiet. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Tina burst in. She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me: "Una, don't think that just because you're the adopted daughter, you can cling to the Gordon family. I'll marry Charles soon and become the lady of this house." I held back my anger, "Tina, watch your words. This villa is an inheritance from my parents, and it has nothing to do with the Gordon family." She paused for a moment, then sneered, "Inheritance? You think I don't know? You're just after the Gordon family's money!" "I'm after money?" I laughed in anger, "You know the truth better than anyone that you're after the man or the Gordon family's fortune." Tina's expression darkened. She rushed over, trying to shove me away. "Why do you have to be so harsh with your words? Charles has asked you to be more patient with me—what right do you have to treat me like this?" Charles happened to be passing by and quickly took Tina aside. "Una, Tina is still young. Don't hold it against her." I looked at Charles, a wave of disappointment sinking in. He clearly knew Tina was provoking me, yet he just told me to be more patient. It turned out that in his eyes, I—the sister who grew up with him—would never compare to a girlfriend he'd only just met.