It was already dark, and Selena still hadn't returned home. Edward paced restlessly in front of the gate, worry etched across his face. He called her again and again, but she didn't answer.
After what felt like hours, a faint figure emerged from the darkness. His heart eased for a moment, but when she stepped closer, his expression turned to concern.
"Why didn't you answer my calls? Did something happen?"
Selena forced a small smile and shook her head. Her eyes glistened, her face pale with exhaustion and pain. Edward could tell something was wrong, but he didn't push further.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's go in first."
They walked inside in silence. The clock ticked faintly in the background, filling the heavy air.
"Grandpa—" Selena's voice cracked as a tear slipped down her cheek. She lowered her head, fists trembling.
Edward stepped closer and gently patted her head. "You seem tired. Go get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?"
Selena nodded silently and went into her room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Edward took out his phone.
"Find out what happened with Selena today," he said firmly. "And report to me as soon as possible."
"Got it, sir."
In her room, Selena sat on the bed, clutching her arms around herself. Her phone buzzed — a message from Mika:
"Are you okay?"
She stared at the screen but didn't reply. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she buried her face into her knees. The night drowned in her muffled sobs — pain she couldn't explain to anyone.
---
The next morning, the house was unusually quiet. Edward, still uneasy from the night before, cooked breakfast himself and waited. But Selena didn't come out.
He walked to her door and knocked softly.
"Selena, come out for breakfast."
No reply.
He frowned, then slowly opened the door. "I'm coming in."
Selena was tidying her room, her hair slightly messy, eyes tired but calm.
"Good morning, Grandpa," she greeted softly.
Edward sighed. "If you wanted to clean your room, you should've called the maid."
"It's fine," she said gently. "I wanted to do it myself."
As Edward looked around, his gaze stopped at a file on the table.
"What's that?" he asked, stepping toward it.
Selena froze. Her heart raced as she rushed forward and snatched the file from the table.
"I— it's nothing," she muttered, clutching it tightly.
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Are you hiding something—"
His phone rang, cutting him off. He glanced at the caller, then at Selena, before sighing and leaving the room.
Selena stood frozen for a moment, then sat down, pressing her hand to her chest. That was close. She looked at the file again, her expression darkening.
I was lucky this time. But maybe… I messed with the wrong person.
---
Later, Edward took the call.
"Yes, did you find anything?"
"Not much," the voice replied. "But I saw Miss Selena meeting someone yesterday at Down Street Café. Couldn't identify who."
Edward's grip tightened on the phone. "Got it."
He hung up, frowning deeply. A disturbing thought crossed his mind.
What if…
He shook his head. "No. It can't be."
---
Selena sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop open in front of her. The screen displayed several headlines.
"Daniel Knight — the business tycoon..."
Her phone buzzed — a call from Mika.
"Are you alright? You didn't reply to my texts," Mika asked softly.
"I'm fine," Selena said, her voice trembling slightly. "Just… a bit shaken."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Let's not."
Mika hesitated, then changed the topic. "What are you doing now?"
"Searching for information about Daniel Knight," Selena replied, eyes fixed on the screen. "I want to know what kind of man has never faced a single controversy."
"Oh! And what happened yesterday, really?"
Selena's chest tightened. The words 'You'll face the consequence' echoed in her mind.
"Are you listening?" Mika asked.
Selena blinked. "Yeah… I just think I can't walk out of this anymore. He's not someone ordinary."
"So, what now?"
"Maybe I should just stick to the plan." Selena sighed.
"…Should we announce it then?"
"Let them find out themselves," she said coldly. "Time to stir some scandals."
A smirk crept across her face as she closed the laptop.
If you don't let me go, Daniel Knight, I don't have any other option but to proceed with my plan. Sit tight—the roller coaster begins now.