"Why are you being so harsh with our sweet daughter?"
The hidden door behind the bookshelf clicked open.
Mrs. Jain stepped out with a pout, arms crossed in dissatisfaction.
Mr. Jain, still seated in his luxurious chair, pulled her closer until she settled comfortably onto his lap.
"It's for her own good."
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"And don't pretend you're innocent. Who spoiled her this much?"
Mrs. Jain immediately glared.
"What? Is this suddenly my fault?"
Mr. Jain sighed.
"Did you see how she acted earlier?"
His expression darkened.
"Too calm."
Mrs. Jain blinked.
"She's always dramatic though."
"That wasn't drama."
His fingers tapped against the armrest.
"She was observing."
He narrowed his eyes.
"It almost felt like she knew something."
Mrs. Jain froze.
Then her expression shifted.
"…You think she noticed?"
"I think she suspects."
His voice lowered.
"And acting that calm…"
A faint smirk appeared.
"She's already planning to escape."
Mrs. Jain gasped.
"What?!"
Then she immediately sat straighter.
"We need to stop her!"
"Let her."
Mr. Jain looked entirely unconcerned.
The smug look on his face only confused her more.
"You already planned something."
His smile deepened.
"When have I not?"
Mrs. Jain narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Then suddenly swatted his wandering hand.
"What are you doing?!"
Mr. Jain looked innocent.
"Hm?"
"This is hardly the time!"
His hand had somehow traveled far lower than appropriate.
He merely smiled.
"The house is quiet now."
Mrs. Jain stared at him.
"Our daughter is about to run away and you're still in the mood?!"
Mr. Jain pulled her closer.
"She inherited that stubbornness from you."
Mrs. Jain huffed.
The night of blossoms stretched long beyond the mansion windows.
Meanwhile—
Suzy sat inside her bedroom.
Her room was quiet.
Too quiet.
A small travel bag lay open on the bed.
No one had ever successfully forced her to do something she didn't want.
Not even her parents.
Her fingers moved efficiently.
Passport.
Cash.
Emergency documents.
Then—
A small black card.
Suzy smiled.
Her private account.
The one her family knew nothing about.
She twirled the card between her fingers.
People relied too heavily on privilege.
She relied on preparation.
One day, she had expected her family to use money against her.
A lesson in obedience.
Unfortunately for them—
She had prepared years ago.
Not in a million years.
Still…
Leaving the villa would be difficult.
Security had tightened.
Even her mother had agreed to this arrangement.
That alone bothered her.
Something was happening beyond her knowledge.
And Suzy hated missing information.
Her fingers tightened around her glass.
Her thoughts drifted back to earlier that evening.
Back to Miely.
—
"By the way…"
Suzy's voice had turned quieter.
"Don't you think Vanilla went too far this time?"
Miely frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Suzy stared into the orange liquid inside her glass.
"Usually, I can ignore her attitude."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"But this time…"
Her fingers tightened.
"She wanted to ruin me."
A pause.
"And I'm pretty sure she wanted me dead."
Silence.
Miely's eyes sharpened instantly.
"What?"
Suzy exhaled.
"I met a strange man during everything."
Miely's voice dropped dangerously low.
"Tell me exactly what happened."
Her stare pinned Suzy in place.
"Right now."
"And don't even think about leaving this room."
For once—
Suzy didn't joke.
She told her everything.
Every detail.
The strange encounter.
The unsettling atmosphere.
The quiet threat hidden beneath polite words.
When she finished, Miely's face had completely darkened.
"It's worse than I thought."
Suzy sighed.
"Yeah, I figured."
"No."
Miely leaned forward.
Her voice turned cold.
"I'm serious, Suzy."
She held her gaze.
"Vanilla Perez J. Doin is that man's daughter."
Suzy blinked.
"And he has become one of the most powerful figures in the underworld these past few years."
Silence.
Then—
Suzy casually lifted her orange juice and took a slow sip.
Her expression practically said:
That's it?
Miely stared.
Then rubbed her forehead.
"I genuinely need to create a plan to make you take danger seriously."
Suzy smiled innocently.
"That sounds like a you problem."
Miely nearly threw her glass at her.
—
Back in her room, Suzy stared at the moonlit window.
Now that she thought about it…
Maybe she should have taken Miely's warning more seriously.
Because tonight—
Even her own parents were acting out of character.
And Suzy hated fear.
Especially when she didn't know its source.