The cool morning breeze danced through the plaza as Sylvester and Liliana stepped out of the towering glass building. The shiny letters of *Crown Entertainment Group* sparkled behind them, mirroring the city's vibrant energy.
Sylvester stood there with his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze far away, as if he was already ten steps ahead in his thoughts. Next to him, Liliana clung to his arm, her playful pout making her look up at him with a tilt of her head.
"Sooo… now that that's done," she chimed sweetly, "how about that date?"
"No," Sylvester shot back, his tone flat and unwavering.
"Hmph! You're no fun." She puffed out her cheeks but didn't let go, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, you can't be this heartless forever. Just one date. It won't kill you."
"I said no." His voice remained calm, but there was a hint of annoyance creeping in.
Liliana leaned in closer, her grin widening. "If I keep asking, maybe you'll say yes just to get me to stop."
Sylvester finally let out a sigh, his eyes flicking toward her with the faintest hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth. "Persistent, aren't you?"
"Mm-hmm." She nodded, clearly proud of herself.
He halted, turning slightly so she was facing him fully. "Alright then. I'll make you a deal."
Her eyes lit up with hope. "Really?"
"Yeah," he replied, his voice low and deliberate. "If you can answer one question correctly… I'll take you on that date."
Liliana froze for a moment, her excitement quickly replaced by suspicion. "…What kind of question?"
"The kind that'll show me if you actually deserve it," Sylvester said coolly, his gaze sharp and unreadable.
The teasing smile on her lips faded a bit, curiosity igniting in her eyes as she tried to decipher him.
Sylvester leaned against the railing outside the Crown building, his silver watch glinting in the morning sun. His eyes, cold and unreadable, were locked on Liliana.
"Alright, Liliana," he said slowly, his voice edged with quiet intensity. "Here's my question."
"What exactly is your relationship with Rohan Reid? Because one—" his gaze sliced through her like a scalpel, "—you two don't look anything alike. At all. The only thing you share is the blue hair, and even that feels different. So… what are you really hiding?"
Liliana froze. For the first time that afternoon, she felt genuinely taken aback. "W-What do you mean? He's my father. My real father."
Sylvester interrupted her with a single, piercing look and a calm yet intense voice. "The way you kept saying 'father' back there… it sounded too weak. Too light. Not how a real daughter would speak. It felt more like you were trying to convince yourself as much as him."
Liliana blinked, and then, almost hesitantly, a smile began to form on her lips. A soft laugh escaped her, light but laced with something deeper.
"As expected from you," she said playfully, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You caught on so quickly…"
Sylvester's expression remained unchanged, but his silence was a clear demand for an answer.
"You're right," Liliana confessed, stepping closer, her hands clasped behind her back. "Rohan Reid isn't my biological father. He's… my stepfather."
The word struck Sylvester like a knife to the heart. Stepfather? For a fleeting moment, his carefully maintained composure faltered. His mind raced with thoughts of an unknown mother marrying into the Reid family, Liliana's past shrouded in luxury and secrets.
But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside; the idea was too twisted, too cruel, even for someone like Rohan.
"Your lovely girlfriend here," she said, pointing to herself with a grin. "Is actually adopted."
He adjusted his sleeve with calmness, concealing the shock that rippled beneath his usual stoic demeanor. "Adopted and a stepfather, huh?" he murmured, his tone unreadable. "That explains a lot."
Liliana tilted her head, observing him closely, her smile now softer, almost vulnerable. "So… do I win the date?"
Sylvester let out an annoyed sigh before replying, "Yeah, you won."
"Yay! Today is going to be the best day ever!" Liliana exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Just then, the sharp sound of polished heels echoed on the pavement. Mrs. Clarke stepped out from the side entrance of the building, her demeanor composed yet professional, car keys sparkling in her hand. "The limo is all set. Let's get you both back to school."