Ares entered the living room with Liam following behind him.

Both men had clearly just woken up.

They wore dark lounge wear that looked simple yet ridiculously expensive, the thin fabric clinging naturally to their broad shoulders and lean physiques. Their hair remained slightly tousled, giving them the dangerous kind of attractiveness that looked effortless.

The kind that made people stare without realizing it.

Even Layla and Summer visibly froze for a second.

Lucas, meanwhile, remained sprawled lazily across the black leather chair with one ankle resting over his knee. A cup of freshly brewed coffee sat on the round glass table beside him, thin white smoke still curling upward.

The moment Ares stepped into the room, his sharp gaze landed on Scarlet.

His brows furrowed faintly.

"Scarlet," he said calmly. "You’re back."

There was no surprise in his voice. No warmth either.

Scarlet immediately noticed it.

Still, she maintained her graceful smile.

"Sorry for coming here without prior notice," she said softly. "I have something I need to discuss with you..."

Her gaze swept briefly across everyone in the room before returning to him.

"...privately."

Moira’s expression darkened instantly. She just entered the room and sat at the corner sofa.

Ares, however, showed no reaction. He simply raised one hand.

A servant immediately approached.

"Prepare breakfast for the guests," Ares ordered indifferently. "It’s still early. I assume they haven’t eaten yet."

"Yes, sir."

The servant bowed before quickly leaving toward the kitchen.

Only then did Ares look back at Scarlet.

"Follow me."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked toward the side room adjacent to the living room.

Scarlet blinked in surprise before quickly following him.

Normally, Ares would bring her to his study whenever they discussed business matters.

So why the side room this time?

Of course. Ares can’t take her there. Lara’s treasures were still there and not secured.

Inside the side room, the atmosphere was quieter and colder.

Ares walked directly behind a large mahogany desk and sat down on the black leather chair with natural authority. The sunlight filtering through the tall windows sharpened the edges of his already intimidating features.

He gestured lazily toward the chair opposite him.

"Sit."

Scarlet pressed her lips together before taking her seat gracefully.

But for some reason, sitting across from him now felt different.

Distant and formal.

Ares folded his hands together on top of the table.

"Speak."

His tone was cold and businesslike.

Like a CEO negotiating with a stranger instead of talking to someone he once treated gently.

Scarlet felt a sting in her chest. Heat crept onto her cheeks, but she quickly composed herself.

She did not come here for emotions.

She came here for opportunity.

"Ares," she began carefully, "a relative of mine is planning to produce a short historical drama about the Kromwels."

She paused briefly, secretly observing his reaction.

But Ares remained expressionless.

Not even a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes.

Scarlet continued.

"I’ll be acting in the drama." Her voice softened slightly. "You know becoming a star has always been my dream."

Still nothing.

The silence pressured her more than anger would have.

"Summer and Layla will also participate in the project..."

Ares finally interrupted.

"Get to the point, Scarlet."

His voice carried visible impatience now.

"You know I’m a busy man."

Scarlet’s fingers tightened subtly over her lap. Her heart sank. When did Ares start speaking to her like this?

There was a time when he listened patiently to everything she said, no matter how trivial it was.

Now he looked at her as if every extra second wasted his time.

Scarlet bit her lower lip before forcing herself to continue.

"I need an investor," she admitted quietly.

Then she lifted her eyes to meet his.

"And I’m hoping that investor will be you."

"Which entertainment company is handling the project?" Ares asked calmly.

His sharp eyes remained fixed on Scarlet, though his mind was already searching through old memories.

As far as he knew, Scarlet had only done several modeling projects in the past—magazine shoots, endorsements, small commercial appearances. Nothing serious enough to establish a production company of this scale.

Scarlet immediately brightened at his question.

"It’s my father’s company," she explained eagerly. "He recently partnered with Gary Vice."

The moment she mentioned the name, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"You remember Gary Vice, right?" she asked with a smile. "From college?"

For the first time since the conversation began, Ares’ expression shifted slightly.

Gary Vice. Of course he remembered him. A flash of memory surfaced inside his mind.

A simple calling card.

The one Lara had slipped into his hand that day while casually telling him how a talent scout approached her and offered Shay a chance to shoot a commercial.

Gary Vice Entertainment.

The same name.

Ares’ eyes darkened almost imperceptibly.

Then another memory followed behind it.

College days.

Scarlet laughing brightly beside him while Gary endlessly teased the two of them like some self-appointed matchmaker. Back then, Gary had practically declared them the "perfect couple" before the entire campus.

At that time, everyone assumed Scarlet would eventually become Mrs. Zuvel.

Even Ares himself once thought so.

But now... for some reason, those memories felt distant.

Unimportant.

"Yes," Ares finally replied.

His voice was low and dry.

"I remember him."

Scarlet failed to notice the subtle coldness in his tone. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, enthusiasm growing stronger.

"Gary believes this project has huge potential," she continued excitedly. "Historical dramas are becoming popular again, especially stories connected to royal bloodlines and lost empires. And since the Kromwels are surrounded by mystery, people will definitely become interested."

Ares listened silently.

But inwardly, his thoughts were elsewhere.

The Kromwels. The treasures. The artifacts.

And Lara...

and the reason why she brought back those treasures.

Scarlet cleared her throat when she noticed Ares was distracted.

"I’ll need to review the proposal first," Ares said evenly.

His fingers tapped once against the armrest, his expression unreadable.

"I’m a businessman, Scarlet. I don’t invest based on emotions or old connections." His gaze sharpened slightly. "If there’s no profit in it, I won’t waste my time."

For a brief second, Scarlet’s smile stiffened.

The distance in his words was impossible to ignore.

Still, she quickly recovered and smiled gracefully.

"Of course," she replied softly. "Then I’ll arrange a meeting between you and Gary."

Ares gave a small nod, signaling the discussion was nearing its end.

But Scarlet hesitated.

Because despite securing a possible investor...

Somehow, speaking to Ares now felt colder than negotiating with a stranger.