A sharp knock roused Amara from her sleep. The morning light streamed faintly through her curtains, too bright for how heavy her eyes still felt. She pushed the blanket off and dragged herself toward the door.

One of the servants stood there, bowing slightly. "Young Miss, Master Gregory requests your presence at the breakfast table."

Amara's expression didn't shift. Her amber eyes, cool and distant, flickered briefly before she muttered, "Alright." The door shut with a soft thud, silencing the world outside.

She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and let her fingers glide through her golden hair until it shone like strands of sunlight. By the time she descended the grand staircase, the chatter from the dining hall dimmed.

Every pair of eyes turned toward her.

The golden-haired girl walking down the steps looked almost unearthly, like she had stepped out of a dream. Her delicate features were calm, but her amber eyes carried a quiet sharpness that made it hard to look away.

Kael, seated at the far end of the long table, froze. His hand tightened around his cup without realizing it. For a moment, he was struck dumb.

The girl he once dismissed, reduced to nothing in his eyes, stood now with a beauty that seemed to eclipse the room.

Damn it... she's even more stunning than before.

A flicker of something sharp pressed against his chest-regret, perhaps. But Kael shoved it down ruthlessly. His lips curved into a faint, mocking smirk as he tore his gaze away.

What use is beauty without power? Without wealth?

He reminded himself of the truth: Amara was a fallen star, stripped of her status, left with nothing but a pretty face. A woman like that could only be admired from afar, not relied on. Melissa, her cousin, was the smarter choice-his ticket upward. His engagement to her was proof of his cunning, not weakness.

Even so... his hand tightened on the knife beside his plate. Because no matter how fiercely he justified it, Amara's quiet, untouchable grace made Melissa feel like little more than a substitute.

Amara walked over and sat down at the table, sliding into the empty chair as if nothing in the world could bother her. She didn't so much as glance at the faces around her. Instead, she picked up her fork and began to eat, each graceful movement unhurried, almost lazy.

It was as though she hadn't nearly ruined an engagement party the night before. As though she didn't owe anyone an explanation.

Melissa's jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palm beneath the table. Jealousy ate at her like poison, the sight of Amara's calm face only making it worse. How dare she sit there so calmly... as though nothing has happened?

Cassandra sat quietly, her gaze flicking toward Amara with a pang of bitterness she dared not reveal. She lowered her eyes quickly, hiding the envy that churned inside her chest.

Liam slouched in his seat, his phone in hand, swiping at the screen with disinterest.

Gregory couldn't hide the way his eyes lingered. He stared longer than he should have, caught off guard by how ethereal Amara looked that morning. Her golden hair caught the light, her amber eyes seeming to glow against her calm face. It was a quiet beauty, the kind that unsettled without trying.

Clarissa noticed his expression.

Her stomach twisted painfully, dragging up memories she had buried long ago, memories she could never allow to resurface. Her hands curled tightly in her lap until the sting in her palms reminded her to stay composed. She lifted her head, arranging her lips into a practiced smile.

"Amara," she said softly, her tone warm, almost too warm. "Where did you run off to last night? We searched everywhere for you. In the end, we had to go on with the banquet without you."

Her words dripped with concern, but the sharp edge beneath them could not be missed.

Amara's fork paused mid-air. For a moment, her amber eyes flicked lazily toward Clarissa, then back down to her plate. A faint, mocking curve tugged at her lips.

"Do you really need me there?" she asked bluntly, her voice soft yet cutting, carrying a derisive note that made Melissa's face flush red.

The table went still.

Gregory, who had been staring at her with an expression he thought no one noticed, jolted out of his reverie. His expression hardened immediately, as though caught committing a sin. He cleared his throat, his tone growing sharp.

"Nonsense! It was your sister's engagement ceremony-you were supposed to be present!" he barked.

But Amara didn't even lift her head. She continued eating as if his words were nothing more than air, the clink of her fork against the porcelain plate filling the silence.

Gregory's jaw tightened. Her indifference made him feel as though he had swallowed a fly-disgust rising in his throat but with Kael sitting there as a guest, he forced himself to restrain his temper.

He drew in a breath, smoothing his expression before speaking again. "I'll get straight to the point," he said coldly.

He folded his hands on the table, his voice carrying weight. "There will be a grand dinner celebration in the coming days. Our company has finalized a collaboration with one of the subsidiaries of Blackwood Enterprises."

The moment he said it, even Melissa and Cassandra's eyes lit up in awe.

Blackwood Enterprises.

The name itself was enough to shake boardrooms around the world. A conglomerate spanning industries from technology to global trade, with whispers of unseen influence in places even governments dared not tread. Collaborating with just one of their subsidiaries was equivalent to opening a door into untouchable power.

Gregory's chest swelled with pride as he spoke, his words laced with self-importance. "It is an opportunity most companies could only dream of. Not only that-our family business will also be expanding branches internationally. Naturally, such triumph deserves celebration."

He leaned back, his gaze coldly appraising Amara. "Which brings me to the reason I called you. I want you to attend the dinner."

Amara, who had finally taken a sip of water, set the glass down and arched a brow, her amber eyes glittering with dry amusement. "That's your point?" she cut him off flatly, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Gregory's face darkened instantly. He felt the blood rising in his throat, his fists clenching beneath the table, but with Kael's presence, he forced it down.

He steadied his breath, a thin smile curling on his lips though his eyes burned with suppressed rage. "Yes. You will attend, Amara. There will be... a surprise waiting for you."

Amara finally lifted her gaze. Her amber eyes, cold and mocking, locked onto Gregory the moment the word "surprise" left his lips.

For just a second, the man faltered-stunned by the frigid, piercing look that didn't belong to a fragile girl, but to someone who could see right through him.

Amara's gaze shifted to Clarissa and Melissa. Their false concern, their mocking smiles-it was all written across their faces, as if they had already scripted the downfall they planned for her.

Her lips curved into a faint, ridiculing smile. "Alright, I'll go," she said casually. Then she paused, her voice cutting sharper than a blade. "But..."

Clarissa's smile froze, her nails digging into her palm beneath the table. This insolent brat! What does she want now?!

Amara leaned back in her chair, her amber eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Until the dinner party celebration, I want you all to stay out of my life. Don't interfere with anything I do."

The words landed like a slap across Clarissa's face.

She forced a laugh, her lips trembling as she spoke through gritted teeth. "Amara, how can you say such a thing? We care so much about you. Besides, you don't need to make... requests just to attend our family's progress, do you?"

Melissa seized the chance, her eyes gleaming with malice. She smirked sweetly, her voice dripping with false affection. "Yes, sister. We even planned a surprise for you. You'll love it."

Kael's expression darkened with disgust. He sneered at her, his voice sharp. "You really don't know what's good for you."

Amara ignored their words entirely. Instead, she fixed her sharp gaze on Gregory, cutting straight through the noise. "Do you agree?"

The silence pressed heavily across the table.

Gregory closed his eyes, rubbing his temples in frustration. This niece of his-always so unyielding, so insolent. "Fine," he ground out coldly. "Do whatever you want. But don't bring shame to this family."

His tone was laced with contempt, as though she were a wayward woman whose actions could only taint their name.

Kael's lips curled into a smirk. As expected... She's only meant to be played with. Soon enough, I'll take my turn, he thought, his gaze lingering on her with a perverse hunger.

Amara felt it instantly. That revolting stare crawling along her skin. Her stomach turned, bile rising to her throat. She pushed back her chair and stood, her amber eyes icy.

"Good. Then it's settled. I'll come." Her lips curved into a slow, sinister smile, one they failed to notice as she turned away. "I'd like to see the surprise you've prepared... and perhaps I'll prepare one of my own."

Her voice lingered like a curse in the air as she walked upstairs, her figure regal and untouchable.

Melissa's expression twisted the moment Amara's back disappeared. Rage bubbled in her chest, but she quickly plastered on a coquettish smile. She leaned into Kael, brushing her hand against his arm, flaunting her stolen prize.

"Brother Kael," she said sweetly, loud enough for Clarissa to hear, "I'm so glad you chose me. Some people may look like angels, but inside... they're rotten, aren't they?" She giggled, her eyes flickering with glee as if she had won some great battle.

But Kael's gaze wasn't on Melissa. His eyes lingered on the stairs Amara had just ascended, his expression complicated-disgust warring with the faintest trace of regret.

Melissa caught it instantly. Her triumphant smile faltered. A wave of fury crashed over her.

Clown. She's making me look like a clown!

Meanwhile, Amara walked away without sparing them a single glance. To her, they were nothing more than jesters-dancing desperately in a circus of their own making.

After returning to her room, Amara took a long shower, letting the hot water wash away the residue of false smiles and poisonous words. Soon after, she fell into a deep sleep, her body sinking into the mattress as if the world outside no longer existed.

When she finally stirred, sunlight was already spilling harshly through her curtains. A glance at the clock told her it was half past twelve.

She didn't linger. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, Amara made her way downstairs.

Halfway across the hall, she crossed paths with Cassandra. Her cousin was surrounded by a cluster of well-dressed girls, no doubt her schoolmates. Cassandra's eyes flickered over Amara silently, no words, no greetings. Just a quiet scrutiny.

Amara didn't spare her a second glance.

But the girls with Cassandra noticed. Their whispers drifted through the air like gnats.

"Who's that?" one murmured curiously.

"She's so pretty, but... why is she dressed so simply?" another added.

"Is she a servant?" a third girl asked with a laugh.

Amara's lips twitched faintly as she walked past, her expression betraying neither anger nor shame. She didn't wait to hear Cassandra's reply. She didn't care.

Still, in her mind, she made a note.

This cousin of mine... she's the quietest of them all. Timid, reserved, always hiding in the background. But that's her greatest strength, isn't it? Melissa shows her claws too easily. Cassandra? She wears her mask so well you'd never know how calculating she really is.

Amara yawned lazily, as though the world itself bored her, and stepped out through the gates of the Hayes estate.

The sunlight hit her face as she raised her hand to hail a taxi. "Downtown," she said simply as the car pulled up.

The door shut behind her with a quiet thud, the Hayes estate shrinking in the distance.

The taxi came to a slow halt at the bustling city center. Amara pushed the door open and stepped out, her figure blending effortlessly into the crowd. Lifting her gaze, her eyes settled on a tall building ahead.

It wasn't extravagant like the flashy skyscrapers surrounding it, yet its design carried a quiet elegance-minimalist, refined, and impossible to overlook. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she took in the beautifully crafted studio entrance.

Pulling the brim of her cap lower to shield her face, she adjusted her backpack and walked forward, her steps steady, unhurried. Without hesitation, Amara pushed open the glass doors and disappeared inside.

The studio lobby was quiet, its interior designed with sleek, modern simplicity, with soft lighting, glass partitions, and muted colors that exuded professionalism. Yet not a single staff member stopped her, nor did anyone so much as glance her way. It was as though Amara's presence here was already an unspoken rule, one no one dared to question.

She stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the upper floor, and waited in silence as the doors closed. When they opened again, she walked down the short corridor and stopped before a room. With a light push, the doors swung open.

Inside, two girls sat absorbed in their own worlds.

The first was perched comfortably on the couch, a laptop balanced across her lap, oversized headphones covering her ears. She swayed slightly to the rhythm of whatever song she was listening to, humming cheerfully in between bites of snacks she held in one hand. Her light-colored hair was tied into playful pigtails, and her bright, half-moon eyes carried a sparkle that matched her lively smile. Even in her casual clothes, she looked utterly adorable, her whole presence radiating warmth and energy. This was NyxFlame in the digital world. Here, she was known as Sora Min-kyu, half-Korean, half-European, her mixed heritage only amplifying her delicate, doll-like beauty.

The other girl was the perfect contrast. Sitting with perfect posture at a desk, she held a script in one hand while her other hand flicked over her laptop's touchpad. Long, silky black hair framed her refined face, her sharp features carrying an aura of cool detachment. Her beauty was striking and devilish, almost untouchable, like a snow queen descending from her throne. Her cold, calculating aura wrapped around her like armor, keeping others at a distance. This was IronWolf, but in reality, she was Selene Han, her name as sharp and elegant as the woman herself.

The moment Amara stepped inside, Selene's brows furrowed slightly. She raised her head, her dark eyes narrowing from concentration, but landing squarely on the newcomer.

Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Sora paused mid-hum, slipped her headphones off, and followed Selene's gaze toward the doorway. Her eyes widened slightly, recognizing who just got in, before she broke into a bright smile.

The moment silence fell after Amara entered, Sora suddenly shot up from the couch like a spring.

"Yah!" she squealed, dashing over with her arms wide before throwing herself at Amara. Hugging her tightly, she shook her as though to confirm she was real. "Do you know how much you scared the hell out of us? You disappeared without a word! Couldn't you have at least contacted us first?"

Amara staggered slightly under the impact, her lips curving despite herself at Sora's clingy warmth.

Behind them, Selene crossed her arms and scoffed. "Typical of her," she muttered, rolling her eyes as though Amara's recklessness was nothing new.

"Alright, alright, enough," Amara chuckled, gently prying Sora's arms off her. Turning toward Selene, she stretched her hands out playfully. "Come on. Bring it in. I know you missed me too."

Selene arched a brow, clearly unimpressed. But after a second's pause, she exhaled through her nose, pushed off her chair, and gave Amara a brief but firm hug.

"Don't get used to it," she said flatly, though the faint quirk at her lips betrayed her.

The three of them broke into laughter, the sound filling the room with a warmth that hadn't been there before.

Almost immediately, Sora began fussing again. She tapped Amara's shoulder and pulled back to look her up and down. "Yah, look at you! You lost so much weight-and you're pale! What happened?"

Selene's sharp voice cut through before Amara could answer. "Do you really need to ask? She's been living with those bloodsuckers. What did you expect?" Her arms folded across her chest, her eyes narrowing at Amara with a mix of annoyance and concern she refused to admit aloud.

Sora pouted, stamping her foot lightly. "Still! Yah, Amara, when are you planning to get out of that cage? Don't tell me you really intend to stay there forever-for the sake of revenge, of all things."

The smile on Amara's lips faded, replaced with a quiet sigh. She walked over and sank into the chair beside them, her movements calm but her gaze steady as it lifted to meet theirs.

"I know," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her resolve. "I already plan on leaving."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, the calm surface hiding the storm beneath.

The room fell silent. Both Selene and Sora kept their gazes fixed on Amara, worry written plainly across their faces. Slowly, Selene rose from her seat and crossed over to her, settling down beside her. Sora, unable to stay still, sat on Amara's other side, flanking her as though to keep her from slipping away again.

Selene reached out, tapping Amara's shoulder gently. Her voice was calm, but carried a weight that made the air grow heavier.

"Do you know why I introduced you and Sora to the dark web back in high school?" she asked quietly.

Both Amara and Sora turned to her, their eyes reflecting confusion and curiosity.

"It wasn't just for survival," Selene continued, her tone steady. "It was because I wanted us to be able to stand on our own. To be free. Beyond our talents and the masks we wear online, I wanted us to live-separately, in our own worlds-not chained down by our pasts."

Amara's lips curved into a faint, mocking smirk. "Says the one who's spent her whole life buried in the dark web, chasing revenge."

Selene's eyes flickered, but she didn't flinch.

"I don't live like that," Sora interrupted quickly, almost defensively. "I live quite well."

Selene shot her a sidelong glance and scoffed. "You think so?"

The playful light in Sora's face faltered, her head dipping as a small, bitter smile tugged at her lips.

Selene exhaled softly and turned her gaze back to Amara. "Look... we were kids back then, trying to survive the only way we knew how. But now? I want us to look forward-to the future. To live for ourselves." She paused, her eyes sharp, her words deliberate. "Especially you, Amara."

Amara froze, her expression unreadable.

Selene's voice dropped, colder but laced with something like pain. "I know why you joined the dark web. To dig into the truth behind that 'accident' years ago. Even though I brought you into it later, your influence there is far stronger than mine or Sora's now. But... every investigation you've launched has ended the same. Dead ends. Nothing. Don't you see?"

Her words struck like a blade.

"You think that pathetic uncle of yours has that kind of power?" Selene's lips curved in disdain. "No. There's something much bigger lurking beneath that incident. A force we don't dare provoke. And chasing it will destroy you before you even touch the truth."

Sora reached for Amara's hand, her own eyes shimmering.

Selene's voice softened, though it trembled faintly with emotion she rarely showed. "Amara, I want you to move on. Leave that house. Start over somewhere else. Live for yourself, not for revenge. Your parents... they wouldn't be happy seeing you like this."

Amara's chest tightened as though bound by invisible chains. Her fists curled tightly in her lap, her nails digging into her palms until it hurt. She bit her lip, her amber eyes glossing over as tears threatened to fall.