Morning came quietly over the estate.
Soft sunlight filtered through the tall windows of Alaric's residence, illuminating the polished interiors with a deceptive warmth—one that masked the tension slowly tightening beneath the surface of the family.
Inside his study, Alaric sat behind his desk, a file open but barely touched.
Across from him stood Cole, his long-time assistant, tablet in hand, going over the day's schedule with practiced efficiency.
"…and the logistics report from the Riverdale branch will be delivered before noon," Cole concluded.
Alaric nodded faintly, though his attention seemed elsewhere.
A knock came at the door.
Both men paused.
"Come in," Alaric said.
The door opened gently, and Nyla stepped in.
Composed.
Dressed simply, yet with an elegance that felt… intentional.
Both Alaric and Cole turned toward her.
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Nyla?" Alaric said, slightly surprised. "This early?"
She stepped forward calmly.
"I came to inform you about the family dinner," she said.
Just like that.
The words landed.
And instantly—
The atmosphere shifted.
"A… family dinner?" Cole repeated before Alaric could speak, his brows lifting in visible confusion.
Alaric leaned back slightly, studying her.
"When is this happening ?" he asked.
"This weekend," Nyla replied.
Another pause.
Then Cole let out a short breath, exchanging a quick glance with his boss.
"With all due respect," he began carefully, "that kind of gathering doesn't just… happen."
Alaric nodded slightly.
"Your uncle and Cherry alone would make sure of that," he added.
His gaze returned to Nyla.
"Why would you schedule something like this?" he asked. "And more importantly… what makes you think they'll show up?"
There was doubt in his voice.
Not dismissive—
Just realistic.
Nyla didn't flinch.
Didn't hesitate.
"They will show up," she said calmly.
Not hopeful.
Certain.
Cole frowned slightly.
"And how sure are you?" he asked.
Nyla met his gaze briefly—then shifted to her father.
"They're already aware of it."
Silence.
Alaric straightened.
"Already aware?" he repeated slowly.
"You told them?" Cole added.
Nyla shook her head slightly.
"They've been informed."
The choice of words lingered.
Careful.
Intentional.
Alaric's eyes narrowed just a fraction.
Before he could press further, Nyla continued—
"In fact," she added calmly, "they might be the ones to inform you later."
That—
That was what truly landed.
Cole blinked.
Alaric didn't move.
For a moment, the room felt… still.
Because that wasn't just confidence.
That was control.
And it didn't match the girl they thought they knew.
Alaric cleared his throat slightly, trying to regain ground.
"Well… regardless," he said, turning slightly toward Cole, "make sure the information is relayed—"
"You don't need to."
Nyla's voice cut in.
Soft.
But firm.
Both men turned back to her.
"The rest of the family is fully aware," she repeated. "There's nothing left to relay."
A pause.
Then she added, almost as an afterthought—
"They'll all attend."
Her tone left no room for doubt.
No room for argument.
And somehow—
That was the most unsettling part.
Nyla gave a small nod.
"Excuse me," she said.
And just like that—
She turned and walked out.
The door closed behind her.
And silence followed.
Heavy.
Unspoken.
Cole was the first to exhale.
"…Sir?" he said cautiously.
But Alaric didn't respond immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on the door.
His thoughts replaying every word.
Every tone.
Every shift.
"She's changed," he murmured.
More to himself than to Cole.
Because that wasn't uncertainty he had heard in her voice.
It wasn't even hope.
It was something far more dangerous.
Certainty.
"How…" he whispered under his breath.
How did she do it?
How did she get through to people like Jay… and Cherry?
Men—and women—who didn't respond to requests.
Only leverage.
Only power.
Alaric exhaled slowly, finally leaning back into his chair.
Then his expression hardened slightly.
"Prepare for the dinner," he said.
Cole straightened immediately.
"Yes, sir."
Alaric's gaze sharpened.
"Cherry and Jay won't attend something like this without an agenda," he continued. "Especially Cherry."
Cole nodded.
"The proposal from the last board meeting," he said.
"Exactly."
Alaric's fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
"She'll bring it up again," he said. "And this time, she'll expect an answer."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"I won't go in unprepared."
A pause.
Then—
"Find something," he said.
Cole frowned slightly.
"Sir?"
"Leverage," Alaric clarified. "On Cherry."
The words were calm.
But decisive.
"Anything that can be used against her if she tries to push that proposal again."
Cole didn't hesitate.
"Yes, sir."
And with that—
He turned and left the study.
The morning air was crisp as Cole stepped out of the mansion, already pulling out his phone as his mind ran through possible leads.
But just as he descended the steps—
He stopped.
Standing at the entrance—
Was Cherry.
Perfectly dressed.
Poised.
Ready for work.
Cole straightened slightly.
"Good morning," he said politely.
Despite being older—
Respect was still expected.
Cherry didn't respond.
Didn't even glance at him.
She simply walked past him as though he didn't exist.
But her mind—
Was far from indifferent.
Rushing out this early? she thought.
What has he been sent to do?
Her lips pressed slightly.
Alaric…
She continued inside without looking back.
Cherry didn't hesitate.
She walked straight toward Alaric's study and pushed the door open.
"Alaric—"
She stopped.
Because he wasn't surprised to see her.
And that—
Was unexpected.
"There's going to be a family dinner," she said.
Watching him carefully.
Waiting.
For confusion.
For surprise.
For anything.
But—
Nothing.
Alaric simply looked at her.
Calm.
Composed.
"I'm aware," he said.
Cherry blinked.
Just once.
But it was enough.
Aware?
Her mind shifted instantly.
How?
Edward hadn't told him.
She was sure of that.
So who did?
Her thoughts began racing.
Alaric coughed suddenly, the sound cutting through the room.
Cherry's attention snapped back.
Her expression softened instantly—almost rehearsed.
"Oh," she said, stepping closer and handing him a glass of water. "You should be careful."
Concern.
Perfectly delivered.
She watched him drink before continuing—
"You really should take some time off work," she added. "Focus on your health."
A pause.
Then—
"Properly heal."
Alaric set the glass down slowly.
"I already have," he replied. "For now."
Cherry's brows lifted slightly.
"My daughter will handle things."
Silence.
Then—
Cherry laughed.
Soft.
Mocking.
"Your daughter?" she repeated.
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
"You mean the same one who spends her time fooling around on the internet and calls it fun?"
Alaric didn't respond.
Didn't react.
Which somehow—
Annoyed her more.
Cherry exhaled sharply.
"Unbelievable," she muttered, turning toward the door.
And just like that—
She left.
As she approached the sitting room—
She stopped.
Because standing there—
Fully dressed.
Poised.
Ready—
Was Nyla.
Cherry's brows lifted slightly.
"Well," she said, her tone laced with mock surprise. "Look at you."
Her eyes scanned Nyla slowly.
"Dressed on time. Headed to work?"
A faint smirk followed.
"But you're still here," she added. "Why aren't you on your way yet?"
Nyla met her gaze calmly.
"My assistant isn't around," she said.
A pause.
"I've been driving myself lately," she added, almost casually. "And I'm tired of it today."
Cherry frowned slightly.
Because this—
This was new.
"I want to be driven," Nyla finished.
Silence.
Brief.
Unexpected.
Because this was the first time—
She had asked for anything.
From her.
Cherry studied her for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"Fine," she said shortly. "We're headed in the same direction anyway."
Her tone was reluctant.
But her mind—
Already working.
Because something about this girl…
Was starting to feel different.
And Cherry didn't like it.
Not one bit.