"Jennie!"
His voice carried easily through the hall. He slowed when he reached her, breathing slightly harder from the climb.
"I was coming to get your luggage."
I glanced past him toward the staff members already moving boxes and suitcases through the corridor.
"You're too late," she said. "Apparently that's already been taken care of."
Jake followed her gaze and immediately understood.
"Mark?"
"Mark," Jennie confirmed.
"Of course." He sighed dramatically. "The man probably has a departure checklist."
A faint smile tugged at Jennie's lips.
Mark, who had already started descending the stairs ahead of them,stopped.
"I do have a checklist ."
Jake blinked.
"You actually do?"
"Three versions." He replied with a grin
"That is deeply concerning."
"Yet it works."
Jake shook his head.
"See? This is why nobody trusts you."
"Yet somehow everything still gets done."
"That doesn't make it less suspicious."
Mark ignored him and continued down the staircase.Jennie fought back another smile.
"Anyway," Jake said, gesturing toward the upper floor. "I need to grab something before you all leave."
"Are you coming back down?" Jennie asked.
"Eventually."
"That doesn't sound reassuring."
"It'll be fine."
With that, he gave her a quick grin before continuing up the staircase two steps at a time.
"Don't leave without saying goodbye !"
"No promises," Mark called back.
"You're the worst!"
"I've been told."
Jake disappeared around the bend of the staircase, his voice still faintly echoing through the mansion,the silence that followed felt strangely larger.
As I and Mark continued toward the entrance hall, the mansion buzzed with activity. Staff members moved back and forth carrying luggage, checking lists, and making final preparations.
The atmosphere was orderly but busy, as though the entire household had quietly shifted into motion, we approached the front doors, Jennie noticed a familiar figure standing outside.
Miss Lily.
She stood at the center of the driveway like a commander overseeing an operation, elegant as always despite the morning activity surrounding her. One hand rested on her hip while the other pointed toward a stack of luggage that was apparently not positioned to her satisfaction.
"No, not that one. The black case goes into the second vehicle. The second vehicle, not the first."
Lucy immediately changed direction.
"Careful with that box," she continued. "If anything inside breaks, I'll know exactly who handled it."
Thomas nearly tripped over himself trying to be more careful.
Mark pushed open the front door.Warm sunlight spilled across the concrete floor as we stepped outside.Two black luxury vehicles were parked side by side in front of the mansion, their dark exteriors gleaming beneath the afternoon sun.
Beside the first vehicle stood David Kim with his tall lean frame,impeccably tailored uniform and neatly styled black hair , he maintained a calm, professional posture with his hands folded behind his back. His expression revealed little, though his sharp yellow eyes missed nothing happening around him.
Near the second vehicle stood Asari Alexander, unlike David's composed stillness, her blue eyes and blonde styled hair stood out against the dark driver uniform yet there was a relaxed confidence about her. She stood with one hand resting lightly against the vehicle, watching the preparations .
Both drivers looked up as we approached them ,David gave a respectful nod.
"Miss Jennie."
Asari smiled warmly.
"You look lovely."
I blinked, caught off guard by the compliment.
"Thank you."
"Miss Lily's work?" Asari asked with a grin.
Jennie laughed softly.
"Yes."
"I knew it."
"Everyone keeps saying that," I muttered as she nervously shrugged .
"Because it's obvious ," Mark replied.
Miss Lily finally noticed their arrival and immediately walked toward them.
"There you are."
Her eyes swept over Jennie from head to toe.The inspection lasted only a second before satisfaction settled across her face.
"Good."
Jennie tried not to laugh.
"Another inspection?"
"Of course." Miss Lily adjusted a strand of Jennie's hair near her shoulder. "You are representing this household today."
"I thought I was just traveling."
"Same thing," Miss lily said softly
Mark looked toward the mansion.
"Young Master still upstairs."
Miss Lily closed her eyes briefly.
"Of course he is."
"Should we be worried?" Asari asked.
"No," Mark answered.
"Yes," Miss Lily said at the exact same time.
Asari laughed.
David remained perfectly serious, though I could have sworn she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
For a brief moment, standing beneath the sunlight with everyone gathered together waiting for the young master entrance.The staff carrying luggage stopped where they stood, conversations faded into murmurs before disappearing altogether, even the rustle of leaves in the distant gardens seemed louder than before.
Then the front doors opened,the silence deepened .My gaze lifted instinctively Jacob appeared at the top of the steps.
He descended without haste, one hand tucked into the pocket of his dark coat, his stride unhurried and effortless. Sunlight slipped across the sharp lines of his face, catching briefly in the dark strands of hair that had fallen carelessly across his forehead.
He looked as though he had walked out of a painting someone had spent years perfecting and then ruined beautifully with a single careless touch.
No one announced him.
No one needed to.
The driveway itself seemed to acknowledge his presence. I couldn't help but notice the way everyone subtly changed around me. Miss Lily straightened. David lowered his gaze respectfully. Mark's shoulders squared almost imperceptibly. Even Asari, who rarely looked impressed by anything, fell quiet.
Jacob's eyes swept across the gathering.The brief inspection felt thorough despite lasting only seconds.
"Good."
The single word carried across the driveway with effortless authority.Near the entrance, Mr. Reg stepped forward from the shadows of the doorway. The butler looked exactly as he always did perfectly composed, perfectly polished, and somehow completely unaffected by the chaos surrounding him.
Jacob's attention shifted toward him.
"Mr. Reg."
"Young Master."
"I'll be away for a few days."
"I understand."
"Everything is yours until I return."
Mr. Reg inclined his head.
"As you wish."
Jacob turned his attention back to the gathered staff.The sunlight glinted briefly against his watch as he folded his arms.
"Listen to Mr. Reg. If he tells you to do something, do it."
Several voices immediately murmured their agreement.
Jacob nodded once.
Then, to my surprise, the corner of his mouth lifted.
It wasn't quite a smile, if anything, it was something far more dangerous.
"And try not to accidentally die before I get back."
For a heartbeat,silence followed.
Then Thomas made a strangled sound that suspiciously resembled choking.
Lucy looked horrified.
Miss Lily closed her eyes as though she had expected this exact statement.
Asari pressed her lips together.
David remained completely expressionless.
Mr. Reg sighed with the patience of a man who had endured this many times before.
"I shall make every effort to keep the staff alive, sir."
"Excellent."
A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd, dissolving the tension that had settled moments earlier.
Jacob glanced toward the vehicles.
That was all it took.
The staff moved instantly.
David crossed toward the first vehicle and slipped into the driver's seat. Mark rounded the front of the car and settled beside him.
At the second vehicle, Asari slid behind the wheel while Samantha sat beside her. Miss Lily entered the back without a word, already checking something on her phone before the door had fully closed.
I adjusted the strap of her bag and headed toward the second vehicle.