The night carried on as if nothing had happened.
Music echoed through the mansion, laughter spilling from every corner as guests danced, drank, and celebrated under the golden lights. Glasses clinked, heels clicked against polished floors, and the air was filled with perfume, luxury, and careless joy.
No one noticed her absence.
No one asked.
No one cared.
---
Outside, far beyond the gates of the house, Simon stood still for a moment, watching as the car carrying Lina disappeared into the darkness.
His chest rose and fell slowly.
She was safe.
That was all that mattered.
For the first time in years, she was finally free.
A small, almost invisible smile touched his lips before it faded just as quickly.
He couldn't stay there.
Not for long.
If anyone noticed his absence, questions would be asked—and questions were dangerous.
With one last glance toward the road, Simon turned and made his way back toward the mansion, his expression already shifting back into something neutral, controlled.
Careful.
Calculated.
---
By the time he stepped inside, nothing had changed.
The party was still alive.
Still loud.
Still careless.
---
Cynthia stood near the center of the room, a glass of wine in her hand as she laughed with a group of guests. Her elegance remained untouched, her composure flawless.
Simon approached slowly, waiting for the right moment.
When her eyes finally landed on him, she raised a brow slightly.
"Yes?"
Simon leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough.
"Miss Lina… is gone."
Cynthia didn't react immediately.
She simply took a slow sip of her drink.
"And?" she asked calmly.
Simon hesitated, then continued, "She was taken. A black car. It looked like it belonged to one of the guests."
A brief pause followed.
Cynthia lowered her glass slightly, her expression unreadable.
Then—
She shrugged.
"I don't care."
Simon blinked once.
Not in surprise.
But in quiet confirmation of what he already knew.
"She was becoming a problem anyway," Cynthia added smoothly. "As long as it didn't happen in front of the guests, it's not my concern."
Simon nodded slightly.
"Yes, ma'am."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Now go do your job. And make sure nothing ruins this party."
And just like that—
The matter was closed.
---
The music grew louder.
The laughter returned.
The night continued.
As if Lina had never existed.
---
The following morning—
The mansion was silent.
But not peaceful.
---
The aftermath of the party was everywhere.
Empty glasses.
Spilled drinks.
Discarded decorations.
Plates stacked carelessly across tables.
The once-perfect house now looked like a battlefield of luxury and chaos.
---
Cynthia sat at the dining table, sipping her morning tea as if nothing had changed.
Robert sat across from her, flipping through his phone.
Anna and Bella entered shortly after, both still half-asleep.
"My head hurts," Bella groaned, dropping into her seat.
"You drank too much," Anna replied, sitting beside her.
Cynthia glanced up briefly. "Sit properly."
They adjusted slightly.
Then—
Simon stepped into the room.
"There's something you should know," he said calmly.
All eyes turned to him.
"Lina is still missing."
A brief silence followed.
Anna frowned slightly. "What do you mean missing?"
"She was taken last night," Simon replied. "A black car. I believe it belonged to one of the guests."
Bella blinked.
"Oh."
That was it.
No panic.
No shock.
No concern.
---
Cynthia took another sip of her tea.
"Well, that explains why she didn't finish cleaning."
Robert finally looked up.
"Kidnapped?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
Robert shrugged lightly. "Not our problem."
Anna stretched slightly. "Honestly, she was starting to annoy me."
Bella nodded. "Same."
Silence followed.
Then—
Cynthia placed her cup down.
"Well," she said calmly, "we'll need a new maid."
Robert nodded. "Get one by the end of the week."
"Make sure she's better than the last one," Anna added.
"And prettier," Bella said with a small smirk.
Simon remained still.
"Yes, ma'am."
---
And just like that—
Lina was replaced.
Not mourned.
Not searched for.
Just…
Erased.
---
A week later—
---
Dave stood outside the mansion, his gaze fixed on the tall gates in front of him.
It had taken time.
Connections.
Effort.
But he had finally found her.
Or at least—
Where she used to be.
---
He stepped out of his car, adjusting his jacket slightly before walking toward the entrance.
The guards recognized him instantly.
"Sir."
"I'm here to see the owner," Dave said.
Moments later—
He was inside.
---
Cynthia welcomed him with a polite smile, though her eyes held curiosity.
"Mr. Carter, what a surprise."
"I'm looking for someone," Dave said directly.
Her smile didn't falter. "And who might that be?"
"Lina."
The room went quiet for a second.
Anna and Bella exchanged a quick glance.
Then—
Bella gasped softly.
"Oh… her?"
Dave's expression hardened slightly.
"What about her?" he asked.
Anna sighed dramatically. "That girl was kidnapped."
Dave's jaw tightened. "When?"
"About a week ago," Cynthia replied smoothly. "We believe it was one of the guests. A black car."
Bella lowered her gaze slightly, pretending sadness. "It was so tragic."
Anna nodded. "We heard she didn't make it."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
---
Dave didn't speak.
Didn't move.
For a moment—
Everything in him went still.
---
Dead?
---
His hands clenched slightly at his sides.
"No," he said quietly.
Cynthia tilted her head. "I'm afraid so."
Bella suddenly stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on his arm.
"It's okay," she said softly. "You shouldn't dwell on someone like her."
Anna joined in, smiling sweetly. "You should focus on people who actually matter."
Dave slowly pulled his arm away.
His expression unreadable.
"I see."
---
He turned to leave.
But as he stepped outside—
He stopped.
---
Because someone was watching him.
---
Simon.
---
Their eyes met.
And in that single moment—
Something unspoken passed between them.
---
Simon stepped forward slightly.
"Sir."
Dave studied him carefully.
"Its you...her supposed to be brother," Dave said.
It wasn't a question.
Simon hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
A pause.
Then quietly—
"Can I have your number?"
Dave narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Why?"
"So we can talk… properly, ," Simon said carefully. "There are things you should know."
Silence stretched.
Then—
Dave pulled out his phone.
---
Moments later, he walked away.
But his mind—
Was no longer clouded with grief.
---
Because something didn't add up.
---
Behind him—
Simon turned back toward the house.
But the moment he stepped inside—
Cynthia's voice stopped him.
"Simon."
He froze.
Slowly turning around.
"Yes, ma'am?"
Her eyes were sharp now.
Suspicious.
"How do you know Dave Carter?" she asked.
"And why was he asking about Lina?"
The room grew tense.
Anna and Bella watched closely.
---
Simon didn't hesitate.
"She applied for a job," he said calmly. "As a maid for JALD. That's why he was looking for her."
Cynthia narrowed her eyes.
"And you?"
"He's an old friend," Simon added smoothly.
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Cynthia leaned back slightly.
"Hmm."
She didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push further.
---
The tension eased slightly.
---
But then—
Bella stood up.
A slow smile forming on her lips.
"Well…" she said, walking toward Simon.
"If you're friends with him…"
Anna joined her.
"…then you can introduce us, right?"
Simon stiffened slightly.
Bella leaned closer.
"We'd love to meet the JALD boys."
Anna smiled sweetly. "Especially Dave."
Simon forced a small, controlled smile.
"I'll see what I can do."
---
But inside—
He knew one thing.
---
Everything was about to get complicated.