The alumni reunion party gradually softened into a calmer, quieter atmosphere. What had begun as a decadent feast of lust and excess now gave way to a dance floor where soulful love songs were performed by the city's top jazz musicians. Couples swayed drunkenly to the rhythm, bodies clinging to each other in a haze of alcohol.
Across the round table where the girls were seated, Dao had just finished recounting her thrilling tale about her and Duyen—from the fire incident to how Duyen saved her from her violent ex, Jinsung. Everyone sat wide-eyed, astonished that so much could have happened in just a matter of weeks. Even more shocking was the way Duyen had risked herself for others—it filled the girls with admiration. Their affection for her deepened, and they realized their past judgment of her had been terribly wrong.
Duyen, however, flushed in embarrassment, forcing a sheepish smile. Dao's retelling was full of embellishments and exaggerations. In truth, Duyen felt she hadn't done nearly as much as Dao claimed—she had only gotten herself gravely injured in the process. Foolish, really. If Shana hadn't saved her back then, she doubted she would even be able to walk now. But she couldn't tell anyone that—the story sounded far too absurd, and no one would believe it anyway.
Only Cai Ying frowned, seemingly unsatisfied with the story. Something about it didn't sit right with her, as if she doubted its truth.
Suddenly, the girls turned to Duyen with apologetic, remorseful eyes.
"Duyen, we owe you an apology. We only listened to Valko's side of things and ended up blaming you unfairly. You had to suffer so much injustice because of us…"
Duyen quickly waved her hands, flustered, as they began bowing in guilt.
"No, really! Don't worry about it—I never held it against you…"
Though deep down, of course she had been hurt. But how could she blame them? They were only victims too—manipulated by Valko all this time.
"How can you forgive us so easily? You must've gone through hell! If Dao hadn't spoken up for you, we might've misunderstood you forever. And Valko…"
The girls faltered, uneasy. Valko was, after all, the host of this lavish party—and the heir to Taiwan's most powerful telecom empire. To go against him was reckless. That was why they had all obeyed him, swallowing every word he said, to avoid trouble. One of the girls dropped her voice to a whisper.
"Why would Valko do something so awful to you, Duyen? He claims it was just a misunderstanding, but… it feels like he's lying."
Dao, unlike them, seemed to be the only one unafraid of Valko or his powerful family. She exhaled a stream of smoke from her expensive cigarette, speaking loudly enough for the nearby bar to hear. She didn't care if people spread it around.
"You'd be surprised how many small men like him exist in the world. Valko was always selfish, even back in school. Everything had to go his way—including who he dated or married. And if anything got in his way, he'd use any trick, any dirty tactic, to destroy it… That's just the kind of guy he is."
The girls and Duyen shuddered. It felt like they had just glimpsed a darker shard of Valko's true nature. Dao's words carried weight—after all, she had gone to middle school with him.
Dao rested her chin on her hand, frowning.
"I thought being with Mina would change him. And honestly, he did look like he'd changed—more polished, more popular, acting gentle with her. He kept bragging he would marry Mina no matter what. But to think he's still lying, scheming like this…"
Dao cut herself off before saying too much. She let out a bitter scoff, muttering so softly it was almost inaudible.
"Maybe Mina agreeing to marry him was a mistake from the very beginning. And now she can't escape it. Damn it..."
Yet Duyen and Cai Ying both caught her curse clearly.
Duyen couldn't fully grasp what had happened between Mina and Valko. Rumor had it they hadn't lived together for over a year. Mina herself had once hinted Valko was cheating. Could that be the reason?
Something inside Duyen sank—a seed of sorrow taking root. Her chest grew unbearably heavy. Was this pity for Mina? Or regret?
For four years, Duyen had believed Mina was living a blissful marriage without her. But now, the thought of Mina enduring everything alone all these years—it was unbearable. Had she cried because of him? And what could Duyen possibly do? Valko was Mina's fiancé, her husband by arrangement. Even if that bond was broken, would Duyen interfering really change anything?
Her mind spun in turmoil. Part of her couldn't shake the feeling that Mina was waiting for something from her. But what? Did she even have the strength to give it
Mina… what do you want from me?
Beside her, Cai Ying looked uneasy as well, as though wrestling with her own decision. At last, she suddenly grabbed at her side.
"Oh no! My purse—it's gone!"
Everyone blinked in confusion.
"You lost your purse?" Duyen asked anxiously.
Dao leaned in, concerned for her younger sworn sister.
"Do you remember where you last had it?"
Cai Ying's panic rose.
"It's bad—I had my ID and passport inside! Wait—I remember, I went downstairs earlier for an interior design consultation… I might've gone to the restroom down there. I could go back to check, but honestly, I'm a little scared…"
"Scared?" Duyen tilted her head.
Dao explained, "The lower floor's still under construction—no electricity, no lights. That's what she's afraid of."
"Oh…" Duyen nodded, understanding. Without hesitation, she offered
"Then I'll go with her. That way she won't be scared."
Cai Ying's face lit up like fireworks, her sudden excitement startling Duyen.
"Really!? That'd be great! Please come with me!"
Dao arched a brow, laughing at Cai Ying's eagerness.
"Hey now, if that's the case, why don't we all go? More people means more fun—and safer too, right?"
Cai Ying didn't like that suggestion, though she hid it well.
"But Dao, aren't you afraid of the dark?"
Dao froze at the question—because it was true. Out of everyone, she was the most terrified of ghosts, especially after the fire at Everland. Dark, enclosed places triggered her phobia. She shrugged helplessly, raising both hands.
"Fine, then. Duyen, please go with her."
Duyen gave a sheepish laugh, but she never minded helping others—especially younger girls she saw almost like little sisters. Cai Ying was cute, small, and harmless. There was no reason to be wary.
She stood up cheerfully.
"Alright, I'll go with you. If it's too dark, just hold onto me, okay?"
"Yes!" Cai Ying clung eagerly to Duyen's arm, making Dao shiver and cringed.
What the hell? She's suddenly clinging to her like that… Don't tell me she's starting to like Duyen too?
Dao worried and chuckling silently. Duyen's popularity was exploding at an unusual pace. She couldn't help but wonder—how would Mina feel about this?
Dao glanced up toward the second floor of the penthouse, where the great glass wall was hidden behind heavy curtains. Somewhere behind them, Mina and Valko seemed to be locked in a serious conversation.
God, please… I hope Mina will be okay.
Duyen and Cai Ying disappeared toward the staircase. Naomi, watching them go, felt a knot of unease in her chest. Something about Cai Ying felt… off. Especially the way Naomi had overheard her muttering under her breath—like curses.
Naomi tapped Linh's shoulder.
"Come on."
"Huh? Go where?" Linh blinked in confusion.
---
Meanwhile, on the second floor's lavish master suite—a room usually reserved for the host's private pleasures—the curtains had been drawn shut by Valko himself. Only the dim, amber glow of a lamp lit the faces of the couple sitting across from each other.
A husband and wife. Yet there was no romance here, only a fragile marriage teetering on the edge.
Valko's eyes fixed on Mina, struggling to stay calm. He was furious with her—for everything—but he couldn't bring himself to lash out too harshly. She was too beautiful under the light, every feature striking. That thin camisole clinging to her body, the way her crossed legs framed her defiance…
Rage and desire warred inside him.
God, she's exquisite. No masterpiece in this world could compare…
His breath quickened. Mina, sensing his gaze, pulled her fur coat tighter across her chest, shielding herself. Valko's heart clenched. Was she wary of him now?
The alcohol in his veins sharpened his temper. But deep down, he knew this was his fault. Mina had never forgiven him—no matter how hard he tried to make amends. He was the one breaking their marriage apart.
But still—he clenched his fists—he couldn't accept it.
Why did she bring her here? Why stay close to her? Why dare to kiss—!
His furious eyes demanded answers, but Mina's reply was icy:
"There's no reason."
"No reason!?" Valko snapped. "How can you be so careless? Do you even consider me your husband anymore? How dare you do this—it's adultery!"
Mina did not flinch. Her face remained unreadable, even defiant.
"So what exactly have I done?"
"You—!" Valko began, but the words stuck in his throat. He rarely ever spoke harshly to her.
He forced himself to breathe, to soften his voice into something pitiful, yearning.
"Mina… are you doing all this just to punish me?"
Her silence was torture, like the way she kept silent towards him all those years, like it was eating away at him every day. But somehow he still held on.
"I know I've disappointed you, hurt you. But can't you see I'm trying to change? Besides… isn't this kind of thing normal between us? We're husband and wife…"
Mina's eyes suddenly flashed, making Valko flinch in fear. Then her expression calmed again. Her voice was flat and indifferent, like a bucket of cold water thrown straight at his extreme unease.
"I already told you. This has nothing to do with that."
"Then why—?"
"Don't you see?"
See what? Valko's mind replayed Mina kissing the back of Duyen's hand—openly, brazenly, right in front of him. He shook his head violently, refusing to believe.
"No. Impossible. You and her? No way…"
"Why not?"
Valko gritted his teeth, struggling against his jealousy. But Mina repeated, twisting the knife deeper.
"Why not?"
"You've lost your mind, Mina? I'M STILL YOUR LEGAL HUSBAND!"
His face flushed red as he exploded in rage. Veins bulged on his forehead as he standing up.
"YOU ONLY THINK OF YOURSELF! What happens when your mother, your family finds out? Tomorrow, everyone will be gossiping! While I'm the one trying to save this marriage—what are you doing!?"
Mina closed her eyes, silent but unshaken. Still, his words hit a nerve. Valko let out a bitter laugh.
"Look at you, Mina. You can't even protect yourself. I'm the only safe harbor you have left. Open your eyes—do you really think she can protect you? In this family, I'm your only ally."
"Ally?" Mina's eyes snapped open, blazing.
"Is that what you call creeping with Haruna? Helping me?" Her voice dripped with venom.
Valko froze. "That… that's—"
"Don't think I don't know what you've been plotting behind my back. Don't think I don't see your ambition."
"It's not ambition!" Valko stammered. "I did it to clear a path for you! Can't you reconcile with your sister—?"
"Never!" Mina's voice was sharp, filled with hate. She turned away.
"Mina… whatever. We'll talk about that later. What matters now is this—I want you to cut ties with Duyen. As your legal husband. NOW."
Mina's glare was pure challenge.
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'll tell you this: from this moment on, she's no longer safe…"
Mina's heart lurched, panic surging. She shot to her feet, finger jabbing his face, her voice deadly.
"Valko, if you lay a finger on her, I swear I will—"
"You'll what?"
"…kill you."
Her words were firm, eyes blazing with conviction. A bead of cold sweat slid down Valko's neck.
"You're insane…"
"Yes. I am. So don't you dare test me."
Valko's stare hardened. Mina had changed—become someone cruel, selfish, demonic. She was no longer the woman he once loved, but a monster wearing her face. Like, she's dead.
Mina… how far are you willing to go?
But Valko's feelings for Mina were still blind. As if wanting to hold on to something, he reached about to caress Mina's beautiful face, even though it was covered with hatred—
Suddenly, the door burst open. Naomi stumbled in, drenched in sweat, panic etched across her face.
"Mina! Something's wrong—Duyen's in trouble!"
"What!?" At the sound of Duyen's name, Mina's heart leapt into her throat. The cruelty in her eyes vanished, replaced by raw fear and urgency.
"She's in trouble!? What do you mean—?" Mina looked around in shock.
"Wait—where's Kai!?"
Valko's voice suddenly was cold as hell.
"Too late."