This time , they struck gold . Tom and Gwen , fully convinced by Joshua’s plan , promptly rented a vehicle and a warehouse for a few days to stockpile 3,000 pounds of bananas . Renting the vehicle cost 1000 dollars , and the warehouse another 1000 dollars for a seven – day lease . Every remaining cent was funneled into purchasing bananas and longan . They didn’t bother hiring extra help . Instead , the four of them worked tirelessly , loading the truck themselves . By the end of the day , their bodies ached , their backs stiff and sore , but the sight of a warehouse brimming with bananas and longan invigorated their spirits . “ I checked the market trends – it’s already climbing ! Prices started rising the moment we bought those 3.000 pounds ! ” Tom exclaimed , his excitement barely contained . “ This is just the beginning , ” Joshua remarked, his tone measu red but confident . “ In the coming days , prices will skyrocket . The storm damage reports will be out soon , and when it’s confirmed that banana and longan trees were hit the hardest , demand will push prices through the roof ! ” “ So , we just hold off for a few days ? ” “ Exactly . Let’s head back to school in the meantime . In three to five days , the prices will peak . That’s when we’ll cash in . ” Joshua replied with a knowing smile . “ Alright ! ” The others echoed his enthusiasm , ready for the payday . Over the next few days , Joshua threw himself into a strict routine of completing practice exams and exercising , repeating the cycle with relentless focus . He knew his body was suffering from malnutrition and needed restoration . With the SATS looming , he couldn’t afford to waste a single moment and seized every second to prepare . Because of the stockpile , Joshua worried about potential theft and decided against returning to the rental house . Instead , after discussing with Tom , they agreed to take turns staying in the warehouse to guard the bananas and longan . Each of them would take a day off from school to keep watch and fend off thieves- or even rodents . Shirley barely remembered how she left Wendy’s room . Wendy had spoken at length , her words piercing , and had handed Shirley a medical report before the conversation ended . So much had been revealed , none of which Shirley had expected . 7:18 pm 44 . “ I found him at the market , ” Wendy had said . “ He looked so frail that he fainted the moment I pulled him slightly . I had no choice but to take him to the hospital ! ” She continued , “ The doctors ran a full examination , and the results floored me . He’s anemic , underweight , severely malnourished , and even has heart complications … ” As Wendy recounted this , her voice trembled , her tears pooling and threatening to spill over . “ Our family has never lacked food or clothing ! I couldn’t fathom how Joshua’s health had deteriorated to this extent . Shirley , did you know anything about this ? ” Shirley had taken the medical report with a furrowed brow , scanning its contents before shaking her head solemnly . “ I’ve never heard him mention anything like this ! We always thought … ” “ Thought what ? ” Wendy asked sharply . Shirley sighed heavily . “ To be honest , Wendy , we all knew deep down . We used to think Joshua was just after Frankie’s things . And , well … his personality – it’s hard to warm up to . But we didn’t really hurt him … ” Wendy let out a mirthless laugh . “ Shirley , with everything you posted in the group chat , do you honestly believe you didn’t hurt him ? ” Shirley froze , her expression shifting . “ The group chat … those … ” Her eyes locked on Wendy , wide with disbelief and tension , as she struggled to respond . Wendy exhaled deeply and said , “ That’s right ! Joshua knows everything from the group chat . He knows you all mocked him , ridiculed him , played tricks on him , framed him , and humiliated him . He’s aware of it all ! That’s why he left home .” Shirley’s body froze , and a look of shock swept across her face , as though she had just seen a ghost . “ How is that even possible ? Who told him ? ” Shirley asked , her disbelief evident . “ If you want to keep something hidden , then don’t do it in the first place ! ” Wendy sniffled , her voice tinged with frustration . “ Shirley , you’re a top student ! You know the power of gossip – it can destroy a person ! Where has all that education you’ve received gone ? And me , as the eldest sister , where has my wisdom gone ? Do you know what Joshua said to me today when I went to see him ? ” “ What did he say ? ” Shirley asked , her astonishment growing . “ He said , ‘ Wendy , evil meets its retribution . It’s not that it doesn’t happen ; it just hasn’t happened yet . I , we , will face the consequences one day . Yes , retribution is inevitable . Shirley’s eyes widened further , her shock rendering her silent . “ I can already imagine what Joshua endured during these past four years in our home . In truth , we’ve all known the reality deep down , but no one wanted to acknowledge it ! ” Wendy continued , her voice growing more intense . and never offering a kind word . But I’ve been asking myself – why are we so courteous to strangers , yet so harsh , so critical , so cruel , and so utterly cold – hearted to our own family , to our own younger brother ?” 7:18 pm f f f . Promise to Punish My Ridiculous Family