The morning of the Sterling Gala was pure chaos.
In the grand dining room, the atmosphere was toxic. The air was thick with stress, shouting, and the smell of burnt toast.
"Where is the coffee?!" Declan Sterling (The Eldest) slammed his hand on the table. His eyes were bloodshot, glueing him to his laptop screen. "I have a merger in two hours, and I am surrounded by incompetence!"
Next to him, Noah Sterling (The 3rd Brother) was drumming his fork on the empty plate aggressively. "I don't care about your merger. I care about my protein. If I don't get meat in five minutes, I'm eating the table."
Slumped on the velvet sofa in the corner was Adrian Sterling (The 2nd Brother). He was wearing dark sunglasses indoors, massaging his temples. "Can you two lower the volume? My head is splitting open. Being famous is exhausting."
Richard and Eleanor (Parents) were too busy arguing about floral arrangements to notice their sons were ready to kill each other.
"This family is a disaster," Adrian groaned, pulling a cushion over his head.
Usually, this would be the moment Elian would stomp down the stairs, screaming that his suit was the wrong shade of white.
But today, the doors to the dining room opened silently.
Elian walked in. He wasn't wearing his usual flashy designer clothes. He wore a simple beige apron over his pajamas, his black hair tied back in a small, messy ponytail.
He held a large serving tray.
"What do you want, Elian?" Declan snapped without looking up. "If you need money, ask my secretary."
"I don't need money," Elian's voice was calm, almost melodic. It made Declan pause his typing. "I noticed the chef was struggling, so I stepped in."
"You?" Noah scoffed, crossing his massive arms. "You can't even boil water without burning the house down. What is this? Poison?"
Elian didn't answer. He simply walked over to Noah first.
"Stop growling, Noah. You're not a bear," Elian said softly.
He placed a heavy, steaming plate in front of his muscular brother. It was a Breakfast Burrito the size of a forearm, stuffed with grilled steak, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and fresh salsa.
Noah's jaw dropped. The smell of grilled meat hit him instantly.
"I... I didn't order this," Noah stammered, his aggression fading as his stomach rumbled.
"Eat. Before you bite someone," Elian smirked slightly.
Next, he walked to the sofa. He gently pulled the cushion off Adrian's face.
"Go away," Adrian whined. "Let me die in peace."
"Not today," Elian whispered. He placed a bowl on the side table. Inside were Japanese Souffle Pancakes, wobbling softly like clouds, topped with honey butter and fresh berries.
"It's soft," Elian explained gently. "No chewing required. It will help the hangover."
Adrian peeked over his sunglasses. He looked at the pancakes, then at Elian. "Who are you? And what have you done with my bratty little brother?"
"He grew up," Elian replied simply.
Finally, Elian reached the head of the table. Declan was watching him now, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I don't eat sweets for breakfast," Declan stated coldly. "And I don't have time for games."
"I know," Elian said. He set down a plate of Eggs Benedict. The poached eggs were perfect spheres, the hollandaise sauce was rich and creamy, sitting atop toasted English muffins. Beside it was a cup of Double Shot Espresso.
"High protein for the brain. Caffeine for the patience," Elian slid the coffee closer to Declan's hand. "You look like you haven't slept in three days, Brother."
Declan froze. The word 'Brother' usually sounded like a demand when Elian said it. Today, it sounded like... concern.
The room fell silent.
Noah took a massive bite of his burrito. His eyes rolled back. "Holy..." He chewed frantically. "Okay, you're not useless. This is amazing."
Adrian took a spoonful of the pancake. It melted in his mouth. He let out a long, dramatic sigh of relief. "Elian, I take it back. You are my favorite sibling. Don't tell the others."
Declan didn't speak. He took a sip of the coffee. It was brewed perfectly—not too bitter, not too weak. He cut into the egg, watching the yolk run. He took a bite.
He chewed slowly, looking at Elian who was now sitting quietly at the end of the table with a small bowl of oatmeal.
"It's... adequate," Declan grunted, which was the highest compliment the CEO could give. But then, he added something rare. "Thank you."
Elian smiled. It wasn't a smirk. It was a real smile that reached his violet eyes.
"You're welcome."
The chaos had vanished. The shouting had stopped.
For the first time in years, the Sterling family sat together, bound not by obligation, but by the warmth of a meal made with care.
But as the family ate, Elian stood up again.
"Where are you going?" Noah asked with his mouth full. "Is there more steak?"
"Grandfather hasn't eaten," Elian said, picking up a separate tray prepared with tea and scones. "I'm taking this to his study."
Declan looked at Adrian. Adrian looked at Noah.
They were all thinking the same thing: Since when does Elian care about Grandfather?
As Elian walked out of the room, leaving his bewildered family behind, Declan muttered to himself, "Something has changed. And for once... I don't hate it."
Grandfather's Study
Arthur Sterling was reading a newspaper, looking stern as always. When the door knocked, he frowned.
"I said no disturbances."
"It's breakfast, Grandfather," a soft voice replied.
Arthur looked up. He expected a servant. He saw Elian.
Elian placed the tray on the heavy oak desk. "You skipped breakfast. You need to eat to have energy for the Gala."
Arthur stared at the boy. Usually, Elian only came here to ask for credit cards. Today, he brought tea.
The old man's sharp eyes locked onto Elian's Violet Eyes. He saw a strange calmness in them that wasn't there before.
The bloodline, Arthur thought. It's finally waking up.
Arthur didn't smile, but his voice softened. "Leave it. And... wear the white suit tonight. It suits you."
Elian beamed. "Yes, Grandfather."
Elian bowed and left.
Arthur took a bite of the scone. It was perfect.
The old lion sat back in his chair, a small, secretive smirk playing on his lips.
"Things are going to get interesting," Arthur whispered to the empty room.