The second car moved smoothly through the city, windows tinted, cabin quiet in that expensive, practiced way where no one filled silence unless it mattered.
Victor sat upright, hands folded, eyes forward. His suit was dark, conservative—power that didn't need decoration. Beside him, Eliza adjusted her shawl once, then again, irritation hidden beneath composure.
Rina leaned back, scrolling on her phone, heels kicked off casually.
Dadi sat opposite her, cane resting across her knees, watching everything without appearing to.
"So," Rina said suddenly, breaking the silence, "birthday party."
Victor hummed.
"Yes."
"That's it?" Rina glanced up. "No commentary? No warnings? No interrogation?"
Eliza answered instead.
"It's a courtesy visit. We go, we wish her well, we leave."
Rina grinned.
"Sounds boring."
Dadi's lips curved.
"Nothing involving Ling is ever boring."
Eliza shot her a look.
"Please don't encourage her."
Dadi ignored that completely.
"You noticed how she dressed tonight?"
Victor nodded slightly.
"She chose structure."
"And emerald," Dadi added. "That color again."
Rina perked up.
"She always does that when she's serious."
Eliza frowned.
"She's serious far too often lately."
Victor glanced briefly at his wife.
"She's grown."
"Too fast," Eliza replied. "And around the wrong people."
Rina laughed quietly.
"Wrong people?" She tilted her head. "You mean Rhea?"
Eliza's jaw tightened.
"I mean distractions."
Dadi tapped her cane once against the floor.
"Careful. Distractions don't make a person shine like that."
Victor said nothing, but his eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.
Rina leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
"I like her," she said lightly. "Rhea."
Eliza stiffened.
"You've met her how many times?"
"Enough," Rina replied. "She doesn't fawn. She doesn't chase. She pushes back."
Dadi smiled wider.
"And Ling hate that she loves it."
Victor finally spoke.
"She respects it."
Rina snapped her fingers.
"Exactly."
Eliza looked out the window, clearly displeased.
"This is a birthday party, not a character analysis."
Dadi's gaze shifted toward the passing lights.
"Everything is a character analysis if you're paying attention."
The car slowed slightly at a signal.
Rina checked the time.
"She said she'd come later. You think she's actually going to behave?"
Victor answered calmly.
"Ling does what she wants. But she rarely forgets where she's going."
Eliza folded her hands.
"I don't like surprises."
Dadi chuckled softly.
"Then tonight will test you."
Rina smirked.
"Relax. Worst case? We eat cake and leave."
Dadi glanced at her.
"Best case?"
Rina didn't answer immediately.
She smiled instead.
The car turned onto a quieter road now, the glow of a distant estate visible through the trees—not yet close, not yet revealing anything.
Victor straightened his cuffs.
"Remember," he said evenly, "we're guests."
Eliza nodded.
"Polite. Reserved."
Rina sighed dramatically.
"Boring."
Dadi leaned back, eyes gleaming.
"Unaware," she corrected.
The car continued forward.
None of them noticed the absence yet.
None of them sensed the deliberate delay.
They were moving toward a night they thought was simple.
And that was exactly what made it dangerous.
The iron gates slid apart without a sound.
Not dramatic.
Not rushed.
Just obedient.
The Kwong car rolled forward, headlights washing over the mansion façade—and for the first time, all of them went quiet.
The house didn't try to impress.
It didn't need to.
White stone. Clean lines. Tall glass panes catching light like controlled fire. The lawn cut with mathematical precision. Warm amber lights strung discreetly along the driveway, guiding—not welcoming.
Rina leaned forward.
"…Okay," she muttered. "That's not subtle."
Victor's eyes narrowed, assessing.
"Old money," he said. "But recently sharpened."
Dadi smiled faintly.
"Someone here understands restraint."
Eliza said nothing. Her gaze moved—from architecture to guards to placement—cataloguing everything with surgical care.
The car stopped.
Before the driver could even open the door, Shyra was already there.
Too fast.
Too alert.
Her eyes widened—just for a fraction of a second—when she recognized who had stepped out first.
Victor Kwong.
Eliza Kwong.
Dadi.
Rina.
Her spine straightened immediately.
"Good evening," Shyra said, voice smooth but a half-note too tight. "Welcome."
Rina blinked, then smiled.
"You must be the sister."
Shyra nodded quickly.
"Yes. Shyra."
Victor inclined his head politely.
"Victor Kwong. Thank you for having us."
"Of course," Shyra replied. "Please—come in."
She stepped sideways—subtly, deliberately—blocking the main line of sight into the house.
Eliza noticed.
Her eyes flicked from Shyra's stance to the doorway beyond.
"Is the hostess not greeting guests personally?" Eliza asked coolly.
Shyra didn't hesitate.
"She's… occupied. Guests are still arriving."
Dadi's gaze sharpened, amused.
"Occupied," she repeated. "At her own birthday."
Rina tilted her head, curious.
"Is everything alright?"
Shyra smiled—too bright.
"Perfectly."
She gestured again, quicker this time.
"Please, this way."
She turned and started walking before they could respond.
Rina followed easily.
Victor did too.
Eliza lingered half a second longer.
Her eyes slipped past Shyra's shoulder.
Inside, movement.
Laughter.
A woman's silhouette passing behind glass.
Tall. Composed. Familiar.
Eliza froze.
Dadi noticed immediately.
"Eliza?" Dadi murmured.
Eliza recovered fast—too fast.
"Nothing," she said. "Go on."
They stepped inside.
Shyra's pulse was loud in her ears.
Too early.
This is too early.
She angled them away from the central hall, steering them toward the side lounge where music hummed lower and light was softer.
Rina leaned close to Shyra as they walked.
"So," she said cheerfully, "how long have you known my cousin?"
Shyra swallowed.
"Not… very long."
Dadi chuckled behind them.
"Long enough to invite her family."
Shyra's fingers curled slightly.
She laughed lightly, stepping half a pace ahead of them, her body becoming a quiet barrier between the entrance and the central hall.
"This way," she said smoothly, already turning. "The lounge is more comfortable. Fewer people."
Victor followed without question.
Rina shrugged and went along, curious.
Dadi's eyes narrowed just a fraction—but she moved.
Eliza noticed everything.
Shyra guided them down the side corridor, away from the main gathering, away from the sound of Kane's voice, away from the center of the house where the birthday energy lived.
They reached a sitting area—low music, soft lighting, a few guests already seated.
"Please," Shyra said, gesturing. "I'll have drinks brought."
Rina sat immediately.
Victor took the armchair nearest the window.
Dadi settled slowly, cane resting beside her.
Eliza remained standing for a beat too long.
"You're very… efficient," Eliza said.
Shyra smiled.
"I had good teachers."
Eliza held her gaze, searching for something—hesitation, guilt, fear.
She found none.
"Excuse me one moment," Shyra said politely. "I need to check on something."
Before anyone could respond, she turned and walked away—fast, controlled, heels silent against marble.