Golden sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of Antonio's mansion, spilling warmth across the marble floor.
The rays crept quietly into the grand living room, as though the dawn itself was trying to wake the house from its long slumber.
The morning air was crisp, but the mood in the room was anything but peaceful.
A tension, faint yet unmistakable, lingered between the air and the silence.
Aegypt was already there—sitting upright, clad in a sharp black suit.
His face was calm and emotionless, his posture exuding quiet authority.
Beside his chair sat Ocean, the cheetah, poised and still.
Its tail swayed lazily, though its eyes remained alert, ever ready to strike should anyone dare cross the invisible line that separated Aegypt from the world.
"Where's Lexus? Isn't your assistant coming along?" Antonio's voice broke the silence. It was deep, threaded with impatience.
"He's coming. He'll be here soon," Aegypt replied flatly, not lifting his eyes from his phone. His fingers scrolled through a message, his mind already elsewhere.
Antonio's eyes darted toward the cheetah sitting elegantly beside Aegypt's leg. A flicker of distaste crossed the old man's face.
"Does that big cat have to come along too?" he asked, his tone laced with unease.
"Of course," Aegypt replied calmly, eyes still glued to the glowing screen.
Moments later, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Lexus entered, slightly breathless but with his usual polite smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Antonio," he greeted with a small respectful bow.
"Morning, Lexus," Antonio replied curtly.
Lexus turned to Aegypt. "Good morning, sir."
Aegypt gave only a brief nod, never once lifting his gaze from his phone.
Lexus let out a small sigh before shifting his attention toward Ocean.
He took a step closer and bowed slightly, half in jest, half sincere.
"Good morning, Ocean," he said warmly.
The cheetah raised its head and stared at him, golden eyes narrowing.
Then, in the most human gesture imaginable, it turned away—tail flicking once in clear dismissal—and padded to the far corner.
Lexus froze, lips parting slightly. Did… did he just ignore me?
A hollow pang hit him. I can't believe I'm offended by a cat…
Antonio tapped his cane against the floor, drawing attention back to himself.
"If everyone's ready, let's get going," he said, pushing himself up from the sofa with visible effort.
Aegypt rose smoothly. Lexus followed immediately, adjusting his jacket, ready to accompany his master.
But before they could move, a voice rang out—taunting, familiar, and unpleasantly cheerful.
"Well, well, well… going on a trip, are we?"
The voice came from the doorway. A man with close-cropped hair and a thin beard stepped in with a smirk—Matteo.
Beside him was a blonde woman with perfectly styled waves and eyes gleaming with fake sweetness—Marissa.
Aegypt exhaled through his nose. Them again.
Antonio's expression soured instantly.
"Going somewhere without inviting us?" Marissa asked, folding her arms. Her sharp tone sliced through the air.
Antonio's gaze turned cold. "We're going to Indonesia," he said flatly.
"Not for leisure, but to visit the new branch office."
"Tch. A new branch, and we weren't even informed?" Matteo sneered, his voice dripping with resentment.
Marissa added, her lips curling, "Why would he tell us? We're not really part of the family, are we?"
Her words were sweet on the surface, but the venom underneath was unmistakable.
Antonio drew a long, weary breath. His patience had been tested too many times.
"Enough. We're running late," he said, leaning on his cane as he rose.
Matteo's smirk returned. "Aegypt," he called mockingly.
"Why don't you focus on the new branch in Indonesia? We'll take care of the main office here in Italy."
Aegypt turned halfway, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"That won't be necessary," he replied coldly. "I can handle everything myself."
Without another glance, he walked past them—his footsteps measured, decisive. Lexus followed closely behind.
Ocean's low growl rumbled across the marble floor as the cheetah padded after its master.
When it passed Matteo and Marissa, it stopped, turning its sleek head toward them.
Grrr…
The sound was deep, controlled, but powerful enough to send a chill down their spines.
Matteo instinctively stepped back; Marissa flinched, color draining from her cheeks.
Ocean held their gaze for a heartbeat, then lifted its head proudly—almost smugly—before striding away with unhurried grace.
"That damned cat," Marissa hissed under her breath, cheeks flushed with anger.
The two of them collapsed onto the sofa, fury bubbling beneath the surface.
"This has gone too far," Matteo muttered, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.
"You're right," Marissa spat bitterly. "We're Father's real children, Matteo. His flesh and blood. Yet everything—every single company—goes to him. To Aegypt. A man who's nothing but an adopted grandson!"
Her voice trembled with resentment, her pride wounded beyond repair.
Matteo's jaw tightened. Old memories flickered—memories he wished to bury.
Once, he had been caught trying to sell part of the company in secret.
If Antonio hadn't intervened in time, everything would've crumbled.
Marissa wasn't much better. Her life had always been a blur of parties, indulgence, and fleeting lovers.
Responsibility was a language she refused to learn.
Antonio knew them well—too well.
That was precisely why he had chosen Aegypt instead.
Better, he thought, for his empire to fall into the hands of an outsider loyal to him,
than into those of his own children, who would only destroy it from within.