Miranda''s eyes lit up with excitement, "You''ve finallye around!"


    M''s skills in design were nothing short of extraordinary. Even in an area likeputer programming, which she modestly imed wasn''t her strongest suit, she had risen to an expert level. As a teenager, her talent as a designer was already evident, and she had been mentored by an internationally renowned fashion designer, one of the founders of a major global haute couture brand. With such a rich pool of resources and a strongwork, her potential was limitless.


    Unfortunately, due to family circumstances and her decision to pursue further studies inputer science for Lysander after marriage, her design career had been put on hold for several years.


    But with M''s natural talent, if she decided to return to the field, it would be like a fish returning to the ocean, destined to thrive and transform with the winds of opportunity. Her future would be boundless.


    ...


    Both had workmitments the next day, so after a brief chat, they headed back home.


    As M returned to her apartment near thepany, her phone buzzed unexpectedly. Who would be messaging her sote?


    Curious, she opened the message and was surprised to see it was from her grandaunt. She hadn''t dared to call during the day and hadn''t expected a reply to her message so soon.


    Quickly, she opened the message.


    "I''m attending Rosalia Fashion Week abroad, andter I havemitments at the Verdelune Fashion Week. I''ll discuss your matter when I return at the end of the month. Bring yourtest designs when youe to meet me."


    Seven years had passed, yet her grandaunt remained as sharp and efficient as


    ever.


    The fact that her grandaunt had replied suggested a possible thaw in their rtionship, finally allowing M''s tense nerves to rx a bit.


    It was a rare piece of good news.


    With a few weeks until the end of the month, M needed to manage her current projects and prepare thoroughly. Her grandaunt was always serious and straightforward, judging only by the merit of work, valuing skill over family ties.


    Lost in thought, M showered and applied ointment to her shoulder before going to bed. Just before drifting off, she had a nagging feeling she''d forgotten


    something, but exhausted, she sumbed to sleep.


    ...


    Crimson Gardens, the Montgomery family vi.


    The staff had retired for the night, leaving Adrian alone in his room, absorbed in a video game. By the early hours, he grew restless.


    He didn''t want to call his mom, who would just nag him with endless reminders. Yet, being home alone bored him to tears.


    He considered calling Giselle, who was always up for some fun. His mom was just no fun at all.


    Earlier in the afternoon, after finally spending some time with Giselle at his dad''s office, his father had sent him home with the driver, iming he was busy but promised to be back that night.


    Liar!


    Adrian clutched his phone and called Lysander. It took a while, but finally, his dad picked up.


    Adrian was annoyed, "Dad, when are youing back?"


    Lysander''s tone was calm, "Didn''t your mom return from her trip? Let her keep youpany for now."


    "She did not!" Adrian retorted, even more upset. "Dad, you''re a liar!"


    Lysander sounded surprised, "She hasn''te back?"


    Hadn''t she finished her work trip? She had even spent the day tailing him, so why hadn''t she returned home? Was she upset about what happened earlier in the evening?


    But, really, wasn''t she the one who should be in trouble for spying on him?


    Lysander thought M was being unreasonable. She woulde around in a few days, as she always did, so he wasn''t too concerned.


    "No!" Adrian shouted angrily. "And I don''t want mom around. She''s annoying. Dad, you need toe back!"


    Adrian was fuming, and then he heard a voice on the other side of the call, Giselle''s voice, "Lysander, who''s on the phone?"