The corridor was little more than a concrete vein running through the belly of the building—narrow, airless, and dimly lit. At its end sat a tiny, windowless cell. Rowena was curled on the cold floor, her body gaunt, her eyes hollow from days without sleep or hope.
The iron door creaked open.
A burly man stepped in, his shadow swallowing the weak light.
"Our boss wants to see you."
Rowena slowly lifted her head. "Where is he?"
"Don't question me. Follow."
Rough hands hauled her up. She didn't resist. Resistance had long stopped being useful. They dragged her through a maze of corridors—turn after turn, each one erasing her sense of direction—until they stopped before a heavy steel door. A knock. Permission granted. The door opened, and she was shoved inside.
---
The room beyond was blindingly bright, almost sterile in its perfection.
North sat elegantly on a sofa, legs crossed, dressed in an immaculate white suit. His smile was fixed—polished, practiced, and utterly cold.
"Sit down, sis."
Rowena stayed standing.
"I am not your sister."
North's smile widened, though his eyes remained lifeless. "You don't have to reject me so harshly."
"Then stop smiling like that," Rowena snapped. "Everyone knows your smile means something wicked is about to happen. And stop calling me sis."
For the briefest moment, the smile faltered.
"Enough," North said lightly. "Business. Did you do what I asked?"
"I will never do it," Rowena replied without hesitation. "Not even if you take my life."
North leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "I would have loved to take your worthless life—but you're the only one capable of this. I can't do it myself."
"Then kill me," she said coldly. "I still won't do it."
"Why are you so stubborn?" North asked. "Don't you want to avenge Dad?"
Rowena laughed bitterly. "You call this vengeance? He betrayed him first. The man you claim to honor was the traitor."
"Still," North countered, "he stood by while our father lost everything."
"That's because Father betrayed him first!" Rowena shouted. "And even if you want revenge, leave me out of it. Let me go back to my family."
North laughed—a soft, terrible sound. "Which family?"
Her breath caught.
"What do you mean?"
"Your husband. Your children." He tilted his head. "They're gone. Perhaps the only family you have left is me."
Rowena lunged.
The fight was brief and brutal. North moved faster than she expected. A sharp kick landed in her abdomen, knocking the air from her lungs. She collapsed, gasping.
"How dare you," she whispered.
North's smile turned razor-sharp. "So? Will you obey?"
"Never," Rowena said through tears and fury. "Over my dead body."
"There are still people I can kill to make a point."
Her resolve cracked.
"Please," she begged, her lips trembling. "Don't hurt anyone. I'll do whatever you want. Just—don't hurt them."
Satisfied, North gestured to the burly man. "Get her a highly secured computer. Give her everything she asks for."
Rowena glared at him. "You'll pay for every single thing you've done."
North chuckled. "You don't have what it takes. Take her away."
She was dragged out. The door slammed shut.
---
Moments later, the tension evaporated as Scarlet breezed into the room, radiant and carefree.
"Hi, Dad."
North rose instantly, all warmth and charm. "My beautiful damsel. What brings you here?"
"I need a Hermès limited-edition bag," she said sweetly. "I don't have enough money."
"Go to my room. Take my ATM."
She squealed and hugged him. "That's why I love you."
"Everything you want is your right."
"My birthday's coming up," Scarlet added playfully.
"I'll never forget," North said. "Expect something special."
She kissed his cheek and left.
North remained standing, alone in his white suit—smiling.
And this time, the smile was darker than ever