The next morning...
The golden light of dawn streamed gently through the bedroom windows, painting warm patterns across the wooden floor. Birds chirped softly outside while a cool breeze slipped through the curtains. On the large bed, Lily and Rosalie lay half-awake beneath a thick blanket.
After a few moments, Rosalie slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard. Her long hair fell over her shoulders as she reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. She held it quietly for a moment before taking a small sip. Her gaze drifted toward the window.
The events of last night still lingered inside her mind. Ethan's drunken actions. The fear and the panic of hers. And Julian's furious expression when he had found her. Rosalie lowered her eyes slightly and released a soft sigh.
At that moment,
Buzz…
Her phone vibrated on the table and a notification appeared on the screen. Rosalie immediately picked it up. The message was from Julian. A small smile unconsciously appeared on her lips as she opened it.
"Little one, are you awake? Does anything hurt? Are you feeling tired? If you come outside, let me know. I'll be waiting."
The list of questions was popped up. The concern hidden between every word warmed her heart. Julian had barely slept the previous night. Even after bringing her back to her room, he had repeatedly asked whether she was hurt, frightened, or uncomfortable. Rosalie knew he was blaming himself for arriving late. Even now, he was still worried. She quickly replied.
"I'm fine. I'm coming out now."
After changing into fresh clothes, Rosalie quietly left the room. The moment she stepped into the hall-way, she saw Julian already waiting. As if he had never left. As if he had been standing there the entire time. The instant their eyes met; Julian walked toward her. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her gently against his chest. Rosalie closed her eyes. The warmth felt comforting and safe. Julian lowered his head and kissed her hair softly before asking in a low voice near her ear.
"Does anything hurt?"
Rosalie shook her head silently. Instead of answering, she slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Julian's gaze softened immediately. One hand moved gently across her back.
"It's alright. I'm here."
He whispered.
For several moments, neither of them spokes. The silence itself felt peaceful. A peace neither of them realized would soon disappear.
...
After breakfast, the entire family gathered outside the estate. The adults walked around the vineyard grounds before eventually sitting beneath the shade near the front lawn, chatting about business, politics, and current affairs. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed.
Far different from the tension of the previous night.
Meanwhile, Uncle Sam, Julian, and Ethan were busy inside the winery facility, inspecting newly bottled wine. Rows of wine bottles filled the room. Workers moved back and forth while records were being checked and shipments prepared.
Sam observed his two nephews from time to time. Something clearly felt wrong. Neither Julian nor Ethan was speaking. The cold atmosphere between them was impossible to miss. Still, they were grown men, Sam knew there was little point in asking directly.
Whatever had happened between them would eventually surface on its own. As they continued inspecting bottles, Ethan's phone suddenly rang. His expression changed slightly when he saw the number, a frown appeared and then he quietly stepped outside.
...
For nearly a week, Richard had remained silent after receiving Devil Iris's warning. At first, fear had kept him away. Fear of being beaten again and crossing paths with the wrong people, fear of disappearing entirely. But addiction to alcohol and gambling was not something that disappeared so easily. Eventually, temptation won.
Richard sat alone in his filthy apartment, staring at the stained ceiling. His hands trembled slightly, not from fear and craving.
"Nothing will happen..."
He muttered.
"If I go just one more time... If I win…. I can pay everything back."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"Ping Casino should be safe. Those Devil Iris bastards probably won't even be there."
His thoughts quickly became excuses that became confidence. And confidence became recklessness. Richard stood up and grabbed his worn-out coat from the corner of the room and shoved his hands into the pockets.
"I'm going. I'll win today."
With that, he walked out and his destination was obvious.
Ping Casino.
...
The casino was already alive. Dim lights illuminated countless gambling tables. Inside the casino, the air was thick with cigarette smoke, alcohol, and desperation. Laughter mixed with arguments and victory mixed with ruin. Every corner smelled of greed.
Richard entered confidently. Without hesitation, he sat at one of the mid-level tables. At first, luck seemed to favor him. He won and then he won again.
A third time.
A fourth.
His stack of chips grew larger. The excitement rushed through his veins. Soon, he stopped thinking, paying attention, noticing the people around him. What Richard failed to see was that two men sitting near the bar had been watching him for almost twenty minutes.
One wore a white shirt. The other remained silent beside him. The man in white slowly exhaled cigarette smoke. A faint smile appeared on his face. Then he crushed the cigarette into an ashtray and stood up and the second man followed.
Together, they approached Richard's table. Neither spoke nor hurried. They simply watched. Richard remained completely absorbed in the game. The man in white casually placed an arm around Richard's shoulder. Then he leaned closer.
"Richard..."
His voice was calm, dangerously calm.
"You've gotten pretty brave."
Richard frowned.
"What?"
The man smiled.
"Coming all the way here... You must have a lot of money. Right! Uhm..."
Richard turned fully. The moment he recognized the face, the color drained from his skin. Fear exploded inside his chest. Without another word, he immediately stood up and tried to leave but it is too late. The second man stepped in front of him. A powerful hand slammed against Richard's chest. He stumbled backward.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The man's smile widened.
"Relax. Let's talk."
Richard's body trembled.
"P-Please... I..I...I'll pay... I swear I'll pay... Just..Just…Just give me more time..."
The man laughed.
"What are you so scared of? You've already won seven rounds. Looks like you're doing pretty well."
Richard's legs nearly gave out. The two men grabbed his arms.
"No... No, please..."
But nobody listened. They dragged him toward the private upper floor and past security doors and restricted hallways where places ordinary gamblers never saw. Eventually they stopped before a heavy wooden door.
They opened the door and Richard was shoved inside. His heart nearly stopped. A man sat behind a large desk. Several CCTV monitors displayed every corner of the casino. The room was silent except for the hum of electronics. The man slowly looked up. One of the subordinates grinned.
"Boss. Look who we found. Ethan's biological father. The famous Kakamora's old man."
"The father of Eagle Wings' right-hand man."
The seated man smiled slowly and dangerously. This was none other than the Left Hand of Devil Iris. The older brother of Gaing. One of the most feared men within the organization. Richard immediately dropped to his knees. Cold sweat covered his body.
"Oh..."
The Devil Iris executive leaned forward.
"Then we have an important guest."
His smile widened.
"I suppose we should treat him properly."
Richard's entire body shook.
"P-Please... I wasn't trying to disrespect anyone... I only came here to win enough money to pay my debt... I swear..."
The man suddenly burst into laughter loud and mocking.
"That easy? You walked into a wolf's den yourself."
His eyes became cold.
"You entered willingly. But leaving willingly? That's a different story."
Richard felt his stomach twist. Then the man clasped his hands together and leaned back.
"How about this? You have a son. Ethan or should I call Kakamora. The famous monster. I know him quite well."
The room became silent.
"Call him."
Richard froze. The man smiled evilly.
"Tell him to come pick you up. I even have a few things I'd like to discuss with him."
His voice became softer. Which somehow felt more terrifying.
"If he comes... I'll personally hand you over."
The man laughed again.
"After all, ... We can't just send an old man home alone."
The entire room erupted with laughter. Richard's face turned pale. His fingers trembled uncontrollably. At this moment, there was only one thing left he could do. Swallowing his fear, he slowly reached into his coat pocket. He pulled out his phone, his hands shook so badly he almost dropped it. Then he opened his contacts, a familiar number appeared. A number he had not called in a very long time. His son, Ethan's number.
Richard stared at the screen for several seconds. Then, with trembling fingers, he pressed the call button.