The classroom buzzed with noise.
Everyone was talking at once—laughing, comparing answers, Adam already halfway into one of his ridiculous stories.
Nyx sat quietly, reading her novel, tuning out the chaos.
Then the professor walked in.
"Alright, everyone. We have the assignment results."
The room went silent.
She adjusted her glasses.
"First place goes to Amara and her group. Congratulations."
Amara let out a small scream.
"Wait—really?!"
Everyone clapped. Lyra hugged her. Evan whistled. Adam stood up dramatically and bowed toward Amara.
Nyx leaned back slightly.
A strange rush hit her—part satisfaction, part detachment.
She didn't smile.
But she felt it.
During break, Lyra dragged Nyx to their usual cafeteria table.
They had barely sat when Lucien spoke.
"My uncle wants all of you to come over for dinner."
Everyone froze.
Then—
"What?"
"Seriously?"
"Oh my god."
Amara blinked."Lucien… I didn't expect your uncle to invite us."
Lucien shrugged."I didn't expect it either. But yeah."
Isha clutched Lyra's arm."I'm excited to meet your uncle. Oh my god—I'm literally his fan."
The table erupted again.
Nyx leaned toward Lucien, almost whispering.
"Is this necessary?"
Before Lucien could answer—
Adam leaned over.
"Of course it is, Nyx. You have to come. Everyone's going."
Lyra smiled reassuringly."Don't worry, Ten. I'll pick you up."
Nyx nodded quietly.
Adam grinned like he'd just won something.
Ella nudged Adam."You're coming too, right?"
Adam looked at her.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Then casually:
"I want to meet Victor."
Lucien looked up.
So did Nyx.
Lucien's voice sharpened.
"How do you know my uncle's name? I never mentioned it."
Adam blinked once.
Ella jumped in quickly.
"Lucien, are you kidding? Your uncle's a billionaire. He's famous. Everyone knows him."
Lucien slowly nodded.
"Oh."
Adam laughed lightly."Yeah, that's how I know."
Nyx didn't laugh.
She just stared at Adam for a moment longer than normal.
Then quietly went back to eating.
Lucien's mansion—now officially Victor's—rose like something out of a vintage dream.
Cream marble pillars. Warm golden lighting. Architecture frozen somewhere between classic wealth and 90's elegance.
Everyone stepped out of their cars slowly, staring.
"Oh my god…"
"This place is unreal."
"I feel poor just standing here."
Lyra leaned toward Nyx during the ride and hadn't stopped whispering compliments.
"Ten, you look insane. Like actually unreal."
Nyx glanced at her reflection in the window.
Black dress. Clean lines. Dark makeup. Hair falling softly around her shoulders.
She didn't usually care about appearances.
But tonight—
She liked what she saw.
It reminded her of Misa.
Danger wrapped in elegance.
At the entrance, Victor stood waiting with Lucien and Elias, maids lined neatly behind them.
All eleven of them approached together.
A cold wind brushed Nyx's shoulders.
She tightened her black shawl.
A maid stepped forward.
"May I take this, miss? I'll return it after the event."
Nyx nodded once.
"Thank you."
Lucien noticed.
Everything.
After greetings and introductions, Victor led them inside.
The dining hall was massive.
Crystal chandeliers. Long polished table. Chairs arranged with precision.
Nyx knew immediately—
This wasn't casual dining.
This was discipline.
Amara smiled brightly.
"We're honored to meet you, Mr. Victor. And your mansion… it's as elegant as ever."
Victor returned a gentle smile.
"Please. Sit."
They all took their seats.
Victor's gaze stopped on Adam.
"Well, Adam. You're here."
Adam smiled easily.
"Yeah. I'm their friend now."
Victor nodded."Good to see you. I know him through his uncle—we've had a few meetings."
Adam just grinned.
Ella blinked.
"Oh… so that's how you know each other."
Nyx watched quietly.
Noted it.
Filed it away.
Food began arriving.
Silver lids lifted.
Steam rose.
Nyx's heart sank.
Non-veg.
She didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just sat there.
Lucien noticed instantly.
His jaw tightened.
Damn it. I told them.
Amara glanced at Nyx, motioning softly.
"Eat."
Nyx gave a small nod.
Then—
Lucien casually reached over, switching Nyx's plate with a vegetarian one placed nearby.
Smooth.
Silent.
No one noticed.
Nyx leaned closer, barely audible.
"Thank you."
Lucien nodded once.
She started eating.
Saved me from secondhand embarrassment, she thought.
Across the table, Adam was laughing with Evan.
Ella was smiling.
Victor was observing everyone like a chessboard.
And Nyx—
Nyx was watching all of them.
...
Plates clinked softly. Cutlery moved in rhythm.
No one spoke for a moment.
Victor observed.
Not obviously.
But deliberately.
His eyes moved from Amara's excited expressions… to Lyra whispering to Isha… to Adam leaning back comfortably in his chair.
Then—
They landed on Nyx.
She was eating neatly. Calm. Composed. Almost detached.
Victor lifted his glass.
"So," he said smoothly, "Lucien tells me you're all university friends."
Amara nodded eagerly."Yes, sir. Same batch."
Victor smiled.
"And what are you studying?"
Lyra answered first."Business analytics."
Isha chimed in."International relations."
Evan added,"Economics."
Victor nodded slowly, letting each answer settle.
Then his gaze returned to Nyx.
"And you?"
Nyx didn't hesitate.
"Literature and psychology."
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting combination."
Nyx met his eyes.
"Stories explain people. Psychology explains why."
Victor chuckled softly.
"Well said."
Lucien hid his smile behind his wine glass.
Victor turned to Adam.
"And you, Adam? Still involved in finance?"
Adam nodded casually.
"Yes. Mostly investment strategies now."
Victor leaned back.
"You always had a sharp sense for numbers."
Ella blinked.
"Wait—you two really are close."
Victor smiled.
"I've known his family for years."
Adam lifted his glass slightly.
"To old connections."
They clinked.
Nyx watched.
Something about Adam's comfort bothered her.
Victor folded his hands.
"Success is a strange thing," he said. "It reveals character."
Everyone went quiet.
"It shows who adapts… who survives… and who breaks."
Elias shifted in his seat.
Amara swallowed.
Victor continued, eyes slowly scanning the table.
"Tell me," he said gently,"what do you think matters more—talent, or discipline?"
Lyra spoke.
"Talent?"
Isha shook her head.
"Discipline."
Victor hummed.
Then he looked at Nyx.
Her fork paused mid-air.
She finished chewing.
Then answered calmly.
"Control."
Victor smiled wider.
"Explain."
Nyx wiped her lips.
"Talent fades. Discipline tires. But control keeps you standing even when everything collapses."
Silence.
Victor studied her like she was a puzzle.
Lucien's fingers curled slightly on the table.
Adam tilted his head, intrigued.
Victor finally nodded.
"You sound experienced."
Nyx met his gaze.
"I learn fast."
Lucien cleared his throat.
"Uncle, you're interrogating them."
Victor laughed lightly.
"Just conversation."
Then he leaned forward.
"But Nyx… you don't talk much."
Nyx answered evenly.
"I listen."
Victor's smile sharpened.
"Good habit."
Adam glanced at her.
"So that's your secret, huh?"
Nyx didn't reply.
She just sipped her water.
Under the table, Lucien's foot brushed against hers.
A quiet check-in.
She didn't look.
Just tapped back once.
I'm fine.