The storm had passed — at least on the surface.But in the Carter mansion, silence was not peace. It was tension, simmering beneath every corner.
Sara sat on the balcony outside her room, staring at the city skyline. The wind was soft, carrying the scent of rain-soaked earth. Below, the garden gleamed — calm and ordinary — yet she felt anything but.
Daniel appeared quietly behind her, holding two mugs of coffee. "You haven't moved in an hour," he said, setting one on the table beside her.
Sara smiled faintly. "Thinking. Or trying to."
He took a sip, watching her carefully. "You did well today. Most people would've broken under that kind of pressure."
Sara let out a small breath. "It doesn't feel like winning. She's still here. She's angry, cornered… and I know people like Laura don't just disappear quietly."
Daniel nodded. "That's true. She'll try something."
She turned to him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Why are you helping me, Daniel? You barely knew me when this started."
He hesitated — just long enough for her to notice. "Because I've seen what power and betrayal can do. And maybe… I just didn't want to watch another person drown in silence."
Their eyes met — steady, searching — until the moment broke with Leo's loud voice from below.
"Hey, lovebirds! Breakfast's getting cold!"
Sara's cheeks flushed. Daniel smirked. "Guess we should go before Leo eats everything."
Downstairs, the mood was slightly lighter.Ryo and Lina were discussing the lawyer's report, while Adrian was half-asleep over a plate of scrambled eggs.
Leo waved a fork. "We are officially celebrating Operation Stepmother Shutdown!"
Lina rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
Adrian cracked an eye open. "More like unstoppable."
Sara laughed softly. For the first time, the laughter didn't feel forced.
But even in that laughter, a shadow lingered.
Across the city, in a quiet penthouse overlooking the harbor, Laura Carter stood before a mirror, her reflection as cold as marble.
Her assistant, a woman named Maya, spoke carefully, "The documents you signed could be traced. The lawyer is cooperating with Mr. Carter's inquiry."
Laura's fingers tightened around her wine glass. "Let him. I'm not done yet."
Maya hesitated. "Do you want me to contact Mr. Han?"
Laura's gaze sharpened. "Yes. Tell him the deal is back on. If Sara thinks she can humiliate me in my own house, she's about to learn what humiliation truly means."
Back at the mansion, Sara's phone buzzed with a message — Unknown Number.
"Your father isn't as innocent as you think. Meet me tomorrow. Alone."
Her smile faded.
Daniel noticed instantly. "What is it?"
Sara looked up, her eyes wary. "Maybe the next storm's already here."