Before Noel could respond, a hand reached back from the front seat and snatched the phone clean out of her grip. The call disconnected.
The car pulled onto a gravel shoulder and stopped.
Aika pressed herself back into the leather seats, her heart hammering against her ribs. Okay, Aika. New variable. Mystery driver. Kidnapping attempt? Rival family assassin?!
The front door opened, and a dark silhouette stepped out into the winter chill. A second later, the rear door was yanked open.
Expecting a physical brawl, Aika raised her fists in a frantic defensive stance—only for Marcus to step directly into view, his wire-framed glasses reflecting the dim streetlights as he calmly slipped her intercepted phone into his inner coat pocket.
Behind him stood the teal-eyed driver, holding a ring of master keys and stepping back into line like a loyal family operative.
IT WAS A TRAP! Aika's mind screamed in absolute betrayal. THE DRIVER WAS WORKING FOR MARCUS ALL ALONG! HE DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO CATCH ME IN THE STAIRWELL!
"Get out," Marcus commanded flatly, stepping aside to reveal the heavy iron gates of the Darven Estate standing right before them. They hadn't pulled off to a dark alley—they were parked at the back entrance of the family manor. "Grandfather and Aunt are waiting."
"So you... you baited me into your own private transport?!" Aika gasped, forced to walk out onto the freezing gravel.
"You gave me the middle finger through a tinted window," Marcus noted calmly, taking her firmly by the elbow to prevent another decoy sprint. "We're going inside."
He steered her through the quiet rear corridor toward the quiet stairwell. "Go upstairs," Marcus instructed, adjusting his cuffs. "Change into proper attire. Maria is upstairs—she'll help you."
Aika gave him a look that practically screamed: So I'm good enough to get dragged across town, but too embarrassing to be seen in the main foyer?
She didn't bother voicing it. Her body was far too weary to pick fights. She turned on her heel and headed up the quiet stairwell to her room.
Within a few seconds, Maria—Marcus's wife—walked in carrying a sleek luxury box.
"Helena," Maria said gently, placing the box on the edge of the bed. "Wear this and come downstairs. Aunt is waiting for you."
"Oh... okay," Aika murmured softly.
As Maria stepped out, Aika stood alone. Wait. Who the hell is 'Aunt'?! Is she the strict type? The snobbish type? How am I supposed to deal with her when I don't even know her name?!
She opened the box and lifted out an immaculate winter dinner dress—a fitted pastel silk patterned with soft floral blooms, cut with dainty off-the-shoulder sleeves capped by elegant ribbon bows. She peered back into the empty box with deep suspicion.
"I mean, look," she muttered, holding up the thin dress. "It's winter! Do high-society women just photosynthesize their own body heat?!"
She changed quickly, had her hair swept up into an elegant clip by a quiet maid, and made her way down to the grand drawing room, shivering profusely in the skin-tight silk.
The room felt like a courtroom. Draped in a striking crimson dress, Aunt Sophie looked up, her piercing eyes locking onto Aika instantly.
"Sit here," Aunt Sophie said, pointing to the empty chair directly to her right.
Aika sat down instantly, keeping her spine rigid. Rule number one: keep your mouth shut. Do NOT speak unless spoken to.
"How is your health?" Aunt Sophie asked smoothly. "I was informed you were in a serious accident and suffered amnesia."
"Better than before," Aika replied respectfully.
"Well. Take care of yourself," Aunt Sophie said, sipping her tea. "I came today because I really wanted to see you. It has been an entire year since I last saw you. And within just one year... what on earth have you done to yourself, hmm?"
Aika's heart did a violent backflip.
"So," Aunt Sophie continued, "I got to know from your brother that you have resigned from your position. Is it true?"
"Yes... it is true."
"If I don't mind asking... would you like to tell me why?"
"Well... actually," Aika stammered, "as you know, I don't recall much because of the amnesia... so I chose that. I just needed the break, you know? As I am the one who joined the business first while my brothers were studying, I chose to enter at quite an early age. So... I just really wanted a break."
Aunt Sophie took a slow breath. "Joined early... So you remember that much, at least. Helena... since when have you ever willingly taken a step back from anything in this family?"
"Huh? Can't I?"
The sharp comeback slipped off Aika's tongue before her brain could stop it.
Across the room, Marcus's teacup paused halfway to his mouth. Noel's jaw slackened near the fireplace, and Ren stared at her in utter shock.
Aunt Sophie blinked, caught completely off guard, before letting out a soft sigh. "I am not saying you can't... but you never wanted that before. Still, I am not opposing your decision. It is your life. Your choice."
"Then what about her leaving for the orphanage?" Helena's stepmother chimed in.
"It's none of your concern," Grandfather shut her down instantly.
Aunt Sophie turned to Father. "Well then, Father, I am okay if she is okay. Tomorrow, I will sign the papers."
Father began to nod, but Grandfather slowly cleared his throat, making the entire room go deathly quiet.
"We will see, Sophie," Grandfather declared, his deep voice echoing with absolute authority. "You are not signing those documents tomorrow. We need time. Until Helena is fully healthy... and until all her memories come back."
Aika's internal brain exploded: UNTIL MY MEMORIES COME BACK?! THEY ARE NEVER COMING BACK! MY RETIREMENT IS BEING HELD HOSTAGE!
Grandfather stood up, leaning heavily on his silver-topped cane, and gave Father and Aunt Sophie a cold, stern glare. "We are leaving then. Next time, be careful when you choose your timing."
He paused near Marcus without looking at him. "And Marcus. Meet me tomorrow in my office."
Marcus inclined his head respectfully. "Understood, Grandfather."
Aika stood frozen in the middle of the room in her freezing silk dress, clutching her arms as the high-society tribunal finally concluded.
I just wanted to be an unemployed side character, she wept internally. Why is my life turning into a multi-season political thriller?!