After leaving the café, Milo drove in silence.
The city lights blurred past the window as he followed the location Prim had sent him earlier. Soon the roads grew emptier, industrial buildings replacing the crowded streets.
He finally stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.
The metal door creaked as he pushed it open.
Inside, the air smelled of rust and dust.
Mia sat tied to a chair in the middle of the room.
Her eyes locked onto him immediately.
Milo walked toward her calmly, his footsteps echoing through the hollow space. Without saying a word, he reached down and untied the ropes binding her wrists.
Mia stared at him in disbelief.
"What do you want?" she snapped. "Kill me?"
Milo tilted his head slightly.
"Why would I do that?"
Mia scoffed.
"For exposing your father's scandal. It must hurt, right? Your perfect family isn't so perfect anymore."
She laughed bitterly.
Milo leaned closer, his expression unreadable.
"Is there really such a thing as a perfect family?"
He stepped back.
"Honestly, I should thank you. The truth came out."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"But using Aria… that was foolish."
Mia's smile faltered.
"You thought we'd turn against her?" Milo continued calmly. "You tried to plant hatred between us."
He shook his head.
"You really believed that would work?"
He finished untying the rope and stepped away.
"This is between you and Ava," he said. "I have nothing to do with it."
Mia glared at him as she stood up.
"You're letting me go?"
Milo simply walked toward the door.
"If you survive, then it's fate," he said softly without looking back.
"If you die… that's fate too."
Then he left.
Mia ran once she escaped the warehouse.
The cold night air burned in her lungs as she reached the main road.
"Idiot!" she shouted angrily. "You think letting me go means I'll forgive you? As long as you're Ava's friend, you're my enemy!"
Passing cars slowed as drivers stared at her strangely.
Mia ignored them and walked toward a small convenience store to borrow a phone so she could call her driver.
But the moment she stepped outside—
A ragged man suddenly grabbed her and dragged her into a dark alley.
He shoved her against the wall.
"The hell—?!" Mia yelled.
"Die!" the man screamed.
He threw a bottle of acid toward her face.
Mia jerked aside just in time, the liquid splashing against the ground instead.
She fell hard onto the pavement.
"Who are you?!" she shouted, scrambling backward.
Her hand searched desperately across the ground for anything she could use as a weapon.
The man laughed bitterly.
"Don't you recognize me?"
His voice trembled with rage.
"My daughter. The girl with red eyes."
Mia's expression changed.
"The one you threatened… the one you tried to use to drug Ava in your father new club opening."
He stepped closer.
"She died because of all of you. Because of Prim."
His face twisted with grief.
"My family lost everything. No one would hire me after the scandal. We fell from everything… because of you!"
He raised the knife.
"My daughter is dead. My family is ruined."
His voice cracked.
"And you still have everything."
"Die for me!"
He lunged forward.
But Mia had already grabbed a stone.
She threw it straight at his head.
The man staggered, and Mia rushed forward, trying to wrestle the knife from his hand.
They struggled violently.
Then—
Two gunshots echoed through the alley.
Mia froze.
Slowly, she looked down.
Blood spread across her shirt.
The man turned in shock.
Behind him stood a woman, holding the gun with trembling hands.
His wife.
Hatred burned in her eyes.
Later — Private Hotel Suite
Kai Cai stepped out of the bathroom wearing white silk pajamas — loose trousers and a light shirt, the fabric still damp from the steam of his shower. His wet hair clung slightly to his forehead as he dried it lazily with a towel.
The luxury suite was dimly lit, modern and elegant. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, and soft golden lights reflected against polished marble floors.
Kai dropped onto the couch, humming softly.
His phone rang.
He raised a brow and answered while still drying his hair.
"Hello. Kai on service."
His assistant's voice came through immediately.
"We investigated the Hade family as instructed."
Kai leaned back.
"Despite the scandal, the company remains stable. No major backlash."
He listened quietly.
"Mrs. Hade is currently hospitalized. Mister Asher refused to stay with them."
The suite door opened as a hotel staff member entered, carrying a tray with wine and dinner.
She wore the hotel uniform — a fitted white blouse with the top buttons slightly undone showing her cleavage, a black pencil skirt that ended mid-thigh, and sheer stockings with high heels. The tray held roasted steak, grilled vegetables, and a bottle of expensive red wine beside crystal glasses.
She placed the tray gently on the table.
Meanwhile the assistant continued speaking.
"And the girl who spread the news — Mia. She was kidnapped earlier."
Kai's hand paused mid-movement.
"Interesting."
"If you hadn't told us to stay alert, we wouldn't have noticed. One of the kidnappers admitted the order came from Mister Prim. It seems Milo wanted revenge."
Kai clicked his tongue lightly.
"So that's why he left the café."
He leaned deeper into the couch.
"And what happened?"
The staff member poured wine slowly, subtly trying to draw his attention puffing her cleavage up.
"Did Milo kill harm her?" Kai asked.
The assistant replied,
"No. Mister Milo released her. He said he had no grudge. He even said he should thank her for revealing the truth."
Kai slowly lowered the towel.
"He did nothing?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"But Mia was later found dead. One of her victims' parents killed her. They are now under police custody."
Kai listened silently.
"They had been watching her for months. Waiting for an opportunity."
Kai chuckled softly.
"I see."
He ended the call.
The staff member stood beside him, trying to draw his attention.
Kai lifted his glass and took a sip.
"Hm."
A slow smile appeared.
"I'm becoming more interested in you, my sweet puzzle I want to see if you are good or bad."
His voice was almost playful.
"Like a drug I want to see you in your worst condition would you still be kind."
The woman froze.
At first she had only wanted to try her luck — a wealthy, handsome guest like him could easily change her life with one night.
But now—
Something about him felt different.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
Like an angel that had fallen from heaven but brought hell with him.
Kai glanced at her slowly.
Then licked his lips absentmindedly.
"Are you scared?" he asked.
His gaze dropped briefly to her chest before returning to the table.
The woman swallowed nervously, trying to regain confidence.
She stepped closer and sat on his lap.
"I can keep you company," she whispered. "Better than whoever you were talking about."
"I can be your puzzle."
Kai lifted a finger and gently raised her chin.
"And who do you think you are," he said softly, "to catch my attention?"
His smile remained calm.
"You can't be like him."
"You don't interest me."
He pushed her off his lap lightly and crossed his legs.
"Trying to seduce me?" he asked. "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?"
His voice stayed soft.
"Listening to my conversation too… aren't you afraid I might come for your life?"
The woman's fear finally surfaced.
Kai leaned closer, still smiling harmlessly.
"You're not as interesting as my puzzle."
"I want to unwrap my little addiction slowly."
He leaned back again and picked up his phone.
Moments later, two guards entered the room.
Kai set the phone down as they grabbed the woman.
"Oh right," he said casually.
"You wanted to seduce me."
He chuckled.
"I'll send you to people who can satisfy that desire."
Her eyes widened in terror as she was dragged away.
But Kai had already turned back to his wine.
Still smiling.
Meanwhile…
Emily sat across from her parents in the hotel restaurant.
Mr. Thomas Hayes and Mrs. Sasha Hayes stared at their daughter in stunned silence.
Seventeen.
Their daughter had turned back into her seventeen-year-old self.
If Emily herself hadn't explained everything earlier, they would have thought they had lost their minds. But everything matched — her face, her behavior, the way she spoke, even the little habits only their daughter had.
Officially, however, Emily Hayes and her husband Nathan had vanished from the world.
Neither of them had responded to messages or resurfaced anywhere after the "accident." Thankfully their grandchildren, Ava and Prim, had handled everything smoothly. And since Emily and Nathan were known for their eccentric habits, people simply assumed the couple had disappeared somewhere to live freely again.
Thomas finally broke the silence.
"Who else knows?"
"Nathan. You two. Ava and Prim." Emily replied calmly while cutting her steak. "No one else."
Sasha folded her arms.
"So you want to start over again?"
"Of course." Emily shrugged lightly and sipped her wine. "It's not every day someone gets to turn seventeen again. Besides, I already told Ava and Prim. I want to enjoy being a teenager this time."
Thomas frowned immediately.
"You are too young to drink wine."
Emily stuck out her tongue at him.
"I may look seventeen, but inside I'm thirsty-something.".
Thomas's eyebrow twitched.
Emily continued dramatically.
"Thinking about my old age makes me feel like I'll go senile soon. I mean, how do people survive old age? Wrinkles, aching bones… sigh. Even though I still looked young in my early twenties when I was thirty-something, it still doesn't beat actually being young."
Sasha's lips twitched before she smacked Emily's hand.
"Are you calling me old, you brat?!"
Emily laughed.
Thomas shook his head helplessly before changing the topic.
"What about your inheritance? Your in-laws are vultures. If they realize something is wrong, they'll harass Ava and Prim endlessly. And you know my grandchildren don't tolerate stress."
Emily waved a hand casually.
"Ava will take care of the Natasha business and some of my companies. Prim will handle Nathan's business with the Carter family. Prim will also oversee the Hayes Enterprises."
She shrugged again.
"As for my own empire, they'll manage it together. If they can't handle it, they can just sell it. Simple.".
Thomas blinked.
Emily added calmly,
"Except my law empire. That one is still under my control."
Sasha sighed heavily.
"I wish I could just take you home, but adopting you again would raise too many questions. People will start digging into the accident and your supposed death."
Her voice softened with guilt.
"My poor child…"
Emily waved it off.
"Don't worry about it."
Thomas leaned back confidently.
"I already arranged everything. The third branch of the Hayes family lost their daughter years ago. Officially, we'll 'discover' that she actually survived."
He smiled faintly.
"You'll take her place."
Emily blinked.
"That was fast."
"You are still our daughter," Thomas said simply. "Even if the world can't know it."
Sasha nodded.
"We'll also introduce you as our goddaughter. That way no one will dare bully you."
Thomas peeled a shrimp and placed it neatly onto Emily's plate.
"I'll also send you allowance money every month," Sasha added. "If you need anything, call me immediately."
Emily smiled softly and ate the shrimp.
"Oh right," Sasha suddenly asked, "what about Nathan?"
Emily shrugged lazily.
"No idea. He's probably sulking somewhere… or being dramatic as usual."
Thomas snorted.
"Don't call him your husband anymore. You're starting over, remember? That marriage is void."
Emily giggled.
After dinner, they escorted her back to the hotel.
Tomorrow, Emily would meet her new "parents."
And begin her second life.
The next morning, the mansion was in chaos.
Servants rushed around decorating the house with flowers and ribbons while others hurried toward the kitchen carrying trays of food.
In the living room, Madam Gloria stood like a general on a battlefield, pointing around the hall.
"Put those flowers higher! The tablecloth is crooked—fix it! And the dessert trays should be arranged properly!"
Across the room, Robert spoke quietly with the butler.
"Prepare the room properly. I want it filled with gifts. Make sure everything looks perfect."
"Yes, sir," the butler replied before hurrying away.
Upstairs, standing by the corridor railing, Summer silently watched everything.
Her fingers tightened around the wooden rail.
The house was filled with excitement.
All because she was coming.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Jordan walked up the stairs and noticed Summer standing there quietly.
"What happened?" he asked.
Summer turned and gave him a small smile.
"Mom and Dad are so happy because sister is coming home," she said softly. "They made such big preparations even though they were only informed last night."
Her voice trembled.
"Am I a bad sister for not preparing anything at all?"
Tears filled her eyes.
Jordan immediately pulled her into a hug.
"Don't be silly," he said. "Even if you give her nothing, she should still appreciate it."
He scoffed lightly.
"Besides, even if she's our long-lost sister, everyone is still closer to you."
Summer sniffled.
"But still…"
Jordan waved his hand casually.
"If you really want to give her something, just give her one of your old things you don't like anymore. She'll be grateful."
Summer lightly hit his chest.
"Stop it! That would be bullying."
She shook her head.
"I can't just give her used things. She might think I'm looking down on her."
Her expression turned worried.
"Mom and Dad prepared such a huge welcome. If I give something small, she might misunderstand and think I don't want her in the family."
Jordan frowned.
"She wouldn't dare."
His expression darkened.
"If she says anything to you, I'll talk to Mom and Dad."
With that, he walked downstairs.
The moment he left—
Summer's tears disappeared.
Her red eyes instantly turned cold.
A sneer curled on her lips.
"Lost sister?" she muttered quietly.
"You should have stayed lost."
Her fingers tapped lightly on the railing.
"I am the only daughter of this family ."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And now a twin suddenly appears to take my place?"
She scoffed.
"How dare you try to compete with me."
A second later—
Her gentle smile returned.
Like nothing had happened.
She walked downstairs.
"Why aren't you ready yet?"
Gloria's sharp voice rang out.
Summer was already dressed elegantly, while Jordan was still adjusting his clothes.
"You're the eldest son and you're still not ready?" Gloria scolded.
Jordan sneered.
"I'm already here showing my face. What more do you want?"
He glanced around the overly decorated hall.
"Seriously, Mom and Dad… all this for a child you were only informed about yesterday?"
His voice rose.
"You didn't even investigate properly!"
Gloria and Robert's expressions stiffened.
Before they could reply—
Summer stepped forward gently.
"Jordan, what are you saying?" she said softly.
"Are you implying she might be fake?"
She shook her head.
"Mom and Dad have been looking for her for years. If they found her, they must have already investigated."
Her sweet smile returned.
"They wouldn't make such a careless mistake."
Gloria's face instantly softened.
She pulled Summer into a hug.
"This is why you're my favorite child."
At that moment, two more figures came down the stairs.
Reid and Noah.
Noah whistled as he looked around the mansion.
"Wow… you really spent a lot of money on this."
Summer suddenly spoke shyly.
"Mom, I saw a dress I really liked. I think you bought it as a gift for sister."
She tilted her head.
"Did you buy one for me too?"
Gloria froze.
Summer quickly smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay if you didn't!"
She waved her hands.
"You can buy it for me next time."she said as she suddenly started coughing
Reid immediately handed her a glass of water.
"Drink some water."
Jordan frowned.
"If you like the dress, just go take it. There are plenty of gifts in that room. She won't mind."
Reid nodded.
"Yeah. Summer isn't feeling well anyway. If the new sister is nice, she wouldn't care."
"No," Robert suddenly said firmly.
"Summer can collect the gift… but not now."
Noah frowned.
"Why? It's just a dress. Why should she ask permission?"
Gloria exchanged a glance with Robert before speaking.
"Because the Patriarch of the Haye Family, Thomas, is personally bringing her here with his wife."
The room instantly went silent.
Reid blinked.
"What?"
Gloria nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"When we received the news that our missing daughter was found, we didn't believe it."
She sighed.
"After so many years… why now?"
"But somehow the news reached Thomas Haye and his wife while they were vacationing in the countryside."
Robert continued the explanation.
"The girl had the same name as their daughter—Emily so they got interested"
"So they investigated."
"And it turns out… she is indeed our lost daughter."
He looked at his children seriously.
"They are personally bringing her here."
Understanding slowly dawned on their faces.
Robert continued calmly.
"That's why we're making such a big preparation."
"If we can use this opportunity to build a connection with the first branch of the Haye family, our third branch will rise to a completely different level."
Now—
Everything made sense.
Meanwhile, in the hotel.
Emily slept like a baby.
Thomas and Sasha sat quietly nearby.
Neither of them had the heart to wake her.
Even if they arrived late, it didn't matter.
If the third branch of the Haye family dared to say anything unpleasant—
They would deal with it themselves.
Leaving Emily with the third branch still made them uncomfortable.
After all—
Emily was their only daughter.
The daughter they had spoiled rotten.
Even when she later became the most feared woman in the business world…
She was still their baby.
And now—
Watching her sleep peacefully like a teenager again—
Their hearts softened.
For the first time in decades,
their daughter looked young again.
And somehow…
that made them happier than anything else.