Lara slowly descended the grand spiral staircase, one hand lightly brushing against the polished mahogany railing.

She wore a soft yellow sundress that fell just below her knees, the delicate fabric swaying gently with every step she took. On her feet were fluffy wolf-head slippers with floppy ears—an adorable pair Shay had insisted on buying in matching designs for both of them.

Under the warm chandelier lights, Lara looked soft, youthful... almost fragile.

But the moment her eyes landed on the figures emerging from the side room together, her steps abruptly halted.

Ares.

And Scarlet.

Walking out at the same time.

Lara’s fingers instinctively tightened around the banister.

When did Scarlet come back?

A strange tightness spread through her chest, sharp and uncomfortable.

Scarlet was smiling faintly as she walked beside Ares, looking perfectly at ease in his presence, as though she belonged there.

The sight made Lara’s stomach twist.

Before her thoughts could spiral further, an excited voice suddenly echoed from the dining room.

"Liam, you’re finally here!"

Summer’s cheerful tone snapped Lara out of her daze.

Meanwhile, Liam had just returned to the mansion.

After leaving Ares’ study earlier, he had exited through the back gardens and gone for a long jog around the estate grounds to clear his mind before entering again through the main entrance.

A thin sheen of sweat clung to his skin, making him look even more striking.

He wore a fitted black dri-fit shirt and dark jogging pants that outlined his tall, lean build perfectly. Beneath the damp fabric, the hard lines of his abdomen were clearly visible, radiating an effortless masculine allure that immediately drew attention the moment he stepped inside.

Summer’s eyes lit up.

Without hesitation, she hurried toward him, opening her arms eagerly.

"Liam—"

But before she could hug him, Liam calmly stepped aside.

Summer froze awkwardly mid-motion.

Liam frowned slightly.

"What are you doing?" he asked, confusion evident in his tone.

Summer blinked, looking both embarrassed and wronged.

"Come on, Liam," Layla said with a light laugh as she approached them. "Summer always hugs you whenever she sees you."

Liam’s brows furrowed deeper.

Did she?

Strangely enough... he had never paid attention before.

His gaze swept briefly across the room before he spoke in an indifferent voice.

"Summer should be more mindful of her actions now."

He paused.

"Otherwise, people might misunderstand."

The atmosphere instantly became subtlely tense.

Summer’s smile stiffened. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Layla exchanged a quick, uncomfortable glance with her.

Both women could clearly sense the distance in Liam’s attitude.

As though he was deliberately drawing a line between himself and Summer.

But Liam no longer said anything further.

Without another glance, he walked toward the dining table and pulled out the chair directly opposite the head seat.

"Anyway," he said coolly as he sat down, "let’s eat."

...

Lara had just reached the bottom of the staircase and was about to head toward the dining room when someone suddenly stepped into her path.

Scarlet.

Ares, meanwhile, had already gone outside to the garden to fetch Shay and Sandro, leaving the two women facing each other alone in the hallway.

"Lara." Scarlet smiled gracefully, her voice warm and polished to perfection. "How have you been? It’s been such a long time."

Under the sunlight that seeped through the glass windows of the mansion, Scarlet looked as elegant as ever—beautiful, poised, and impossible to fault.

But Lara merely looked at her quietly. Then gave a small nod.

Nothing more.

No smile. No pleasantries. No attempt to continue the conversation.

As though Scarlet was someone completely insignificant.

Scarlet’s expression stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Before she could say another word, Lara calmly sidestepped around her and continued walking toward the dining room.

She was starving, and at the moment, food interested her far more than fake social exchanges.

Behind her, Scarlet’s manicured nails dug slightly into her palm.

The elegant smile on her face nearly cracked.

This bitch...

How dare she ignore me?

The humiliation burned beneath Scarlet’s skin as she silently followed behind Lara, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Inside the dining room, the atmosphere was lively.

Lara walked straight toward the table and naturally took the seat beside Liam.

Almost immediately, one of the servants approached her with practiced familiarity, carefully placing a freshly made sandwich and a glass of chilled fruit juice in front of her before she even asked.

"Miss Lara," the servant said respectfully. "Your meal."

Lara gave a small smile. "Thank you."

The interaction lasted only seconds.

But Scarlet and Layla both noticed it.

Their eyes shifted toward Lara almost simultaneously before they exchanged subtle glances with one another.

Shock flickered across their faces.

The servants were treating Lara with obvious attentiveness—almost like she was one of the true masters of the mansion.

What exactly happened while she was away from Laguna?

Scarlet’s gaze darkened as she stared at Lara sitting comfortably beside Liam, looking completely at ease in the mansion—as though she belonged there.

For some reason... the situation no longer felt under her control.

And that realization unsettled her.

Meanwhile, Lara seemed utterly unaware of the tension surrounding her.

"Brother, try this sandwich Anna made," she said casually as she slid the plate toward Liam. "It’s really good. And it’s high-protein too."

The sandwich was neatly prepared with grilled chicken, egg, and fresh vegetables layered between toasted wheat bread.

Normally, Liam never touched sandwiches during breakfast.

He preferred traditional meals—rice, bacon, eggs, and black coffee.

Yet this time, without the slightest hesitation, he accepted the plate Lara offered him.

Not only that... the coldness on his face visibly softened.

"Thank you, Sis," Liam said with an easy smile.

The word landed heavily in the room.

Summer’s fingers curled tightly beneath the table.

Layla’s expression also changed instantly.

Her narrowed eyes darted between Liam and Lara in disbelief.

Liam... smiled?

And since when did he allow someone to call him that so naturally?

The atmosphere around the dining table subtly shifted.

Then Layla finally spoke, unable to suppress the sharpness in her tone.

"And when exactly did you start calling my brother ’Brother’?"

The dining room fell strangely quiet afterward.

Even the servants instinctively slowed their movements, sensing the tension brewing in the air.

But Lara simply blinked innocently before turning toward Layla.

"Well..." she said softly, "he told me to."

Layla’s face stiffened.

Scarlet’s expression darkened further.

And Liam calmly took another bite of the sandwich without denying it.