Blue's hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the chair, struggling to make sense of the situation. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest.
"What? She was taken by the courtesan house?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, Blue."
Her eyes snapped to Freya, disbelief etched into her features.
"Why? For what reason?"
Freya looked away briefly, guilt flickering in her expression. "Blue… you must've forgotten about this because she's your sister, but the courtesan rules still stand. If you hurt a courtesan, you have to be punished."
"But she is my sister!" Blue said, her voice cracking.
"She wanted to kill you," Freya replied firmly. "The courtesan house won't let her off."
"This is crazy!" Blue shouted and shot to her feet in a flash of pain. She winced, grabbing at her side, her breathing labored.
"Be careful, Blue, your wound is not healed yet."
"I'm fine… just take me there."
"You're not allowed to be there. Only the power holders of the courtesan house can go to where they judge sinners."
"The power holders? Who are they?"
Freya raised a brow. "You should know, Blue. Ain't you the closest person to the owner?"
Blue's brows furrowed. "The power holders should be Quincy and his parents. The Dylans don't run businesses outside their family. But why didn't Quincy say anything about taking Sincere away?"
"It's something obvious, Blue. He doesn't need to say it. Harming a courtesan can cost your life."
"Freya, I think they always allow the noble courtesans to attend the meeting," Sage chimed in.
"Really?"
"Where is the damn place?"
"Fourth building of the Shield Hotels."
"Let's go there right now!"
"Yes, Blue."
INT. SHIELD HOTELS – JUDGMENT CHAMBER
Angel was dragged into the grand, candlelit chamber and roughly dropped on her knees in the center. Quincy sat off to the side, watching the tall double doors open with a low creak as his mother entered, fanning herself leisurely, each step a statement of dominance.
Fransisca sat with a graceful thud, folding her fan closed with an air of authority. She noticed Quincy's expression and smirked.
"Stop looking at me that way, Quincy."
"You called the meeting for Angel?" His jaw tightened.
"Who else? She offended the courtesan house."
"Mum!" he hissed.
"What?" she snapped, then turned. "Jesse, invite the noble courtesans in."
"Yes, madam."
Moments later, Jesse returned, leading the courtesans inside. Their gowns shimmered as they entered, elegance cloaked in curiosity. They each took their seats, eyes scanning the room with interest.
Fransisca stood. Her voice rang clear.
"My ladies! Welcome to the Court of the Courtesans. This is definitely the first time y'all will see the power holders of the courtesan house directly." She paused for effect. "The power holders always consist of five people: two generations of Dylan heirs, their wives, and the top courtesan of the house."
The room murmured.
"My husband is the first power holder, and I am his wife and the top courtesan. We can only have four power holders presently. Since I don't have a daughter-in-law yet, we are now three."
"Excuse me, madam!" Olivia raised a brow. "Isn't Quincy married to that lousy woman called Gianna?"
Violet pinched her hard.
"Ahh! What? Why did you pinch me?"
"She's the owner's wife, watch what you say! Do you want Quincy to get rid of us?" she whispered.
Fransisca smiled slyly.
"To answer your question, Olivia—Gianna can never become part of my household."
"But she married Quincy!"
"Please, wait, wait!" Daisy cut in, clearly overwhelmed. "Madam Fransisca…"
"Yes, darling?"
"Quincy is your son?"
"Sure."
"What the hell!" gasps rippled through the room.
"So you're also a Dylan… and y'all own the Shield Hotels?"
"Definitely."
A wave of disbelief flooded the room.
"So right now, Gianna can't be part of the power holders because you don't like her?"
"Not because I don't like her, but because she's not worthy."
"Are you considering Blue, ma'am?"
Fransisca smirked. "Well, maybe. If she ever becomes part of the family."
"Ahh!" Violet gasped. "That damn bitch is so lucky."
Fransisca's voice dropped to a commanding tone.
"Back to our discussion."
Everyone straightened immediately. She nodded at Jesse. The doors opened again.
Angel was brought forward, her wrists bound. The room quieted.
"Angel?" Olivia called out in confusion. "Angel, why are you here?"
Fransisca didn't wait.
"You should know why she's here, Olivia." Her voice cut like ice. "Angel, do you know your offense?"
Angel looked down. "Yes, madam."
"Harming a courtesan can cost your life. What made it worse is the fact that you're a former courtesan. You broke the rules."
The gasps were deafening.
"Oh my goodness, is she the one that shot Blue down?"
"Yes, darling."
"Angel, oh Angel… even outside the house, Blue is defeating you. She's your nemesis."
"No," another courtesan muttered. "She is her own nemesis—for hating her sister so badly."
"What? Her sister?"
"They're sisters?"
A barrage of voices crashed down on Angel. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
"Yes. She is… my little sister."
Fransisca didn't flinch.
"Since she had the intention to kill, there's no reason to keep her alive too." She nodded. A guard stepped forward, raising a gun to Angel's forehead.
The room collectively held its breath.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Mum! Can we not do this?" Quincy whispered urgently.
"I have to make an example. We cannot be taken lightly."
"Do any other thing—but don't kill her, please!"
"What the hell are you doing?!" a voice shouted from the entrance.
Heads whipped around.
Harper stood there, pale, her steps unsteady. Freya clutched her hand but couldn't hold her back. Harper burst forward, shoving the guard away and standing protectively in front of Angel.
"Harper, why did you come here?" Angel whispered, trembling.
"I'm not going to let them hurt you," Harper said, voice thick with emotion. Her tears spilled as she stood her ground.
"Blue! She broke the courtesan rules—she needs to be punished!"
"I'm not dead, am I? She didn't kill me. I'm still alive!"
"She still tried to kill you! Because you survived doesn't erase her sin!"
"She's my sister!"
Fransisca's voice thundered.
"The courtesan house doesn't give a fuck about that! We have an image to uphold. Y'all signed up for this! We fight for you no matter who the enemy is!"
"I can't allow you to kill my sister. She's my only family!"
Fransisca's tone dropped to a deadly calm.
"You can't save her, dear Blue. She's a gone case."
"No! I'm going to save her. I'll do whatever it takes."
"Unless you are no longer a courtesan… then we'll go off your matter."
"What do you mean, madam?"
"Denounce your membership. Terminate your contract, and I will let Angel go."
"Mum!" Quincy slammed his hand on the table. "What are you saying?"
"I just gave her a way out. She can't be a courtesan and ignore the rules."
"I accept," Harper said suddenly.
Quincy turned to her in disbelief.
"Harper, what the hell are you doing?" Angel screamed. "If you leave the courtesan house, your life will be at risk!"
"Then should I watch you die? Huh?"
"Harper!!!"
"Just leave it! I'm ready to denounce my membership." Harper's voice cracked. "I'll accept all the conditions."
Fransisca looked her over slowly.
"Do you realize how heavy your words are?" she asked. "You have a ten-year contract—you've only been here a year and some months."
"I know."
"You have to pay for breach of contract. You're a permanent noble courtesan—you'll owe a fortune."
"I'll give everything I have. I'll work hard to pay off the rest."
"You won't see your companion anymore."
"What?"
"You'll be replaced. And if we find you with him again, it'll be harmful."
"No! Harper, please don't accept this!" Angel cried. "I'm willing to be killed to atone for my sins!"
"Don't say anything anymore!" Harper yelled. She turned to Fransisca. "Madam…"
"Yes, Blue?"
Harper turned to Quincy. He was already staring at her, pain simmering beneath his calm.
She clutched her robe tightly, tears escaping. Her voice failed as memories flooded her—how he held her when she was broken, how they had escaped death together, how he fought for her again and again.
"Harper!" Fransisca's voice jolted her back. She fell to her knees.
"I'm going to denounce my membership and accept all the conditions that come with it."
A long pause.
"Including losing me?" Quincy asked, voice low.
She couldn't look at him.
"Yes."
"Harper, look at me and say that."
"I'm sorry, Quincy…"
He scoffed bitterly and stood up.
"You're sorry?"
"Yes…"
"Let's go, Paige."
"Yes, boss."
"We'll continue the meeting another day. Jesse, return Angel to the hall and draft the termination letter for Blue."
"Yes, madam."
Fransisca rose. "Meeting is over."
Silence fell like a tombstone.