"I said I'll make you marry me!!"
Robert's face turned as red as a tomato. He looked around for help from the adults while Suzy beamed, smug and proud. Hehe... I won!
Mr. Shen and Mr. Jain watched them with amusement. Mrs. Jain came out of the kitchen carrying an old bottle of wine, ready to celebrate her little scheme.
"Looks like our matchmaking worked, right?" she laughed.
"You're as clever as ever, my angel." Mr. Jain pulled his wife closer, showing affection in front of Mr. Shen.
"You two are so affectionate — you make me feel single," Mr. Shen sighed.
"Can you blame me? You didn't bring your lovely wife to the gathering."
"She has urgent work to finish at the lab. Our new product is giving her trouble. She's been working so hard, even though I told her to rest."
"That's her charm," Mrs. Jain teased. "Don't worry — if she insists on working next time, I'll personally kidnap her from the lab." She winked at Mr. Shen. Madam Shen was her best friend; she meant every word in jest.
They laughed and continued chatting, leaving Suzy and Robert to settle their own little crisis. Robert, however, was clearly bothered by Suzy's dramatic declaration. Eventually both families decided to take a photo of the two kids as a memento. Robert looked like he was being dragged by Suzy — she was shorter but pulled him by the collar — while Suzy smiled so widely her eyes disappeared. Neither of them had any idea that this would be the last time they'd see each other for a very long time.
Fourteen years later
"Where is Suzy?!"
Mr. Jain slammed his hand on the table, the remote clattering to the floor. The news on TV showed yet another scandal with Suzy's name attached. Staff in the great room froze. A housemaid gathered every ounce of courage and spoke up.
"She left the house a few days ago, sir."
Madam Jain listened, helpless. "She went out again?" she asked, voice trembling with worry.
"Our daughter is out of control. We must do something." Mr. Jain waved the staff away and tried to calm himself.
"She disguises herself as a man when she goes out and claims to be our nephew. How ridiculous!" Madam Jain said, more frustrated than angry.
Mr. Jain sighed. "Maybe it's time to send her away — let her reflect on her mistakes."
"I don't want to!" Madam Jain pushed him lightly, upset at the thought. "What if something happens to her?"
"How could anything happen to her? She's strong and clever. No one dares bully her. She's even more scheming than you are."
Madam Jain pouted, half-annoyed and half-proud. They both remembered the little girl who used to insist on duels with their old friend's son. The girl who once vowed she'd never lose.
Earlier — V Club
V Club was the most luxurious venue in the city. Only VVIP members — the truly important people, millionaires, and celebrities — could get in. Guest lists were ironclad; the club prided itself on absolute privacy. Unknown to the public, the club also acted as one of Suzy's information-gathering bases.
Music pulsed through the speakers and bodies moved to the DJ's beat. Suzy and her friends toasted with champagne. Miely, sitting beside her, watched Suzy carefully.
"Suzy, you're drunk. Stop."
"No, I'm not!" Suzy said, showing off how steady she could be with her drink. Miely sighed — she knew arguing was useless.
Miely Ku, twenty years old, was Suzy's best friend. Daughter of the third-richest family in the city, Miely was sweet and serene — but she had a temper and a secret skill you wouldn't want to provoke.
The phone on the table rang.
"Father?" Miely answered.
Her voice grew urgent. "Dad, don't do this! I'll be there in a few minutes."
Suzy watched her friend, concerned. "Go," she said softly.
"Be careful," Miely warned, then left. Suzy noticed who was sitting across from them — someone who clearly wasn't a friend. She rolled her eyes.
After Miely left, Vanilla slid into the seat next to Suzy, smiling with a glass of wine.
"What a coincidence, Ms. Jain."
"How did this club even let you in?" Suzy shooed her away.
Vanilla bristled but softened her tone, mindful of Suzy's powerful family. "Ms. Jain, I wanted to offer you a business proposal. Why treat me like this?"
"Stay away. I'm not in the mood for business tonight."
"You'll regret treating me this way," Vanilla hissed as she left.
Suzy watched her go and then leaned toward a passing server. "You there — come here," she called, pulling one of the staff aside.
Vanilla, outside the circle of Suzy's friends, stopped at a corner table. She slipped an envelope to a nervous-looking server and whispered instructions.
"Go put this in that girl's drink," she said, pointing toward Suzy's table. She pressed the man's fingers with a wad of cash. "I'll pay you more if it works."
The server hesitated. "But—"
"It's just some vitamins. It won't cause any trouble, I promise," Vanilla lied, pretending concern. The man, tempted and scared, nodded.
"Just wait for tomorrow's news," Vanilla mouthed into the shadows.