ATHO Chapter 17

Chapter 17 – Uncle Lyle

Chapter 2: The Truth No One Knows, Part 3

Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)

Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)

Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)

*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*

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It was my Uncle Lyle, whom I had longed to see. Overwhelmed with joy, I ran over to him.

“Well, Charles! You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you!”

“Uncle! It’s been so long! What brings you here today?”

“Ah, I have some business with your father.”

“I see. Father should be in the study.”

“Thanks. I’ll catch you later.”

Uncle Lyle patted my head and headed into the mansion. Feeling glad to see him looking well, I turned to find Jade and Lien walking over.

“Nii-san, who’s that man?”

“You two haven’t met him before, have you? That’s Uncle Lyle, my late mother’s younger brother.”

“Ah, I see. He looks really flashy… kind of intimidating.”

“His appearance might be flamboyant, but he’s not scary. He’s kind and incredibly dependable.”

In my first life, when I was struggling with the responsibilities of being a lord, Uncle Lyle came to me and offered his help, saying, ‘We’re family. You can rely on me’. He was a very important person to me.

As I reminisced, Lien tugged on my sleeve.

“Do you… like your uncle?”

“Yes, I do.”

“―――Huh!? Do you like him more than me?”

“Haha, I like you just as much, Lien.”

“Ugh, just as much…”

Lien puffed out his cheeks, looking strangely dissatisfied.

“And me, Nii-san?”

“Of course, I like you too, Jade.”

When I reassured him, Jade gave a soft smile, his lips curving gently.

Later, I went to Father’s study to see Uncle Lyle again, but he had already left.  

In my first life, if it weren’t for Uncle Lyle, I might have been crushed under the weight of being a lord. I owe him so much, and someday, I want to repay him.

***

A few days later, when I returned to the mansion in the late afternoon after finishing my work, I saw Uncle Lyle’s familiar carriage parked outside.  

Delighted, I quickly made my way inside.  

Even though Uncle Lyle wouldn’t know about my first life, I wanted to show him how much I’ve grown since then.

Now, I could manage the ledgers I used to leave to him, and above all, I could work with the welfare of the people in mind.

As I thought about what to say and how he might praise me, I headed to Father’s study. Just as I was about to knock, I heard Father’s angry voice.

“Lyle, I told you never to come here again.”

“Please, Cain Nii-sama. Don’t say that. I’m begging you…”

Father’s furious tone, something I had never heard before, made me freeze. Uncle Lyle’s pleading voice, calling Father’s name, sent a chill down my spine.

―――What on earth is going on?

I quietly opened the door and peeked inside through the narrow gap.

Inside, Father stood tall and imposing, while Uncle Lyle was prostrating on the floor in a deep bow.

“I’ve already told you—there’s no more money for you.”

“This time… this time will be the last! Please, I’m begging you… We’re family, aren’t we?”

Uncle Lyle’s desperate figure, scraping his head against the floor, made me doubt my own eyes.

“Lyle… your gambling addiction is a disease. You wander aimlessly without working, and I’m sure you haven’t quit gambling. Emmett worried about you until the very end, and yet… I kept supporting you, hoping you’d change. But this is the end.”

“Next time, I swear it’ll be different! I’ll stop gambling! I promise! Please, I’m begging you…!”

Father looked down at Uncle Lyle with cold eyes and let out a deep sigh.

“…I understand. I’ll give you the money.”

“R-Really? Thank you!”

“You don’t have to repay me. However, this is where we sever ties as family. Don’t ever show your face here again.”

“I understand. This will be the last time.”

After receiving the bag of money, Uncle Lyle hurriedly left the room, not noticing me as he scurried down the hallway.

―――Is Uncle really struggling for money?

Father mentioned he wasn’t working, but didn’t Uncle start a business?  

If this timeline is the same as my previous one, Uncle should still be living a life of extravagance. 

―――So why…?

Could Uncle have met a different fate this time?  

―――Leave the finances to me. I’ll handle everything properly, so you can focus on your duties as lord.

Those reliable words accompanied by a gentle pat on the head… That strong, dependable figure is now unrecognizable. I could only watch in stunned silence as Uncle’s figure disappeared down the hall.  

Still confused, I opened the study door. Father, looking exhausted, greeted me with a calm, “What’s the matter?”

“Father… What were you discussing with Uncle Lyle? You gave him money and said you’d sever ties. What… what does that mean?”  

Unable to contain my questions, I pressed him for answers. Father, trying to soothe me, began to speak in a gentle tone.  

“Well… I suppose you should know. Lyle has always had issues with gambling and reckless spending. He squandered the inheritance left by Emmett’s parents. Emmett cared deeply for his only brother, but Lyle never changed his ways.”  

Father sighed deeply.  

“He’s been coming to me for money repeatedly. Out of respect for Emmett, I lent him the bare minimum to keep him afloat. But after Emmett’s death, Lyle claimed he had the right to Emmett’s inheritance. He didn’t even visit Emmett when she was sick, nor did he attend her funeral… Since then, he’s been borrowing money under the guise of ‘this will be the last time.’ But this is the end.”  

“…”  

“I know you were fond of Lyle, Charles, so this must be hard for you. But there are times when even blood ties can be severed over money. Some people are willing to betray others for the sake of wealth.”  

As I listened, my mind went blank.  

The Uncle Father described was nothing like the Uncle I had known in my previous life.  

On my way back to my room, I wandered into the courtyard and sat on a bench, letting out a heavy sigh.  

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*GLOSSARY: 

• Nii-san/Nii-sama/Onii-san = (Big/Elder) Brother

☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation. Jade would call Charles ‘Nii-san’ while Lien would call him ‘Nii-sama’.

Next update: 2025.09.10

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