The scene at the airport pickup area looked less like a family trip and more like a small-scale evacuation operation.
Soo-Jin and Eziel were systematically loading an absolutely ridiculous amount of shopping bags, boxes, and wrapped packages into a cargo van that had appeared like magic—because ARIA had obviously coordinated the whole operation with her usual terrifying efficiency.
Peter stood there watching the chaos unfold, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised in that expression that said I know exactly what happened here and I'm choosing not to murder anyone about it.
Yet.
Eziel was directing the loading process with the precision of a military quartermaster. "Careful with that one—it's the Barbie Dreamhouse. The deluxe edition."
"There are non-deluxe editions?" Soo-Jin asked, hefting another massive box.
"Apparently. But those are for peasants." Eziel brushed imaginary dust off her hands. "My goddaughter only gets the best."
