Aika set up the sale under a newly created, anonymous account, finalized the listings, and closed the laptop, a small, satisfied smirk touching her lips. She might have been disinherited, but she was resourceful. Well, half the work is done. Now to hope I get a buyer.
She looked around, spotting a large pile of clothes. She got up and began putting them away one by one, talking to herself. Wow, who, in their right mind, bought this many clothes? These aren't even wearable in winter. I thought this novel would be fun, but I forgot I read an emotional second-lead story. Yesterday was horrible, but at least they didn't kick me out—or not yet.
Now the clothes are done. I should go downstairs and at least gather some information about Miss Helena's nature, which I completely forgot to ask about yesterday. The staff was rude, but it's okay.
When she went downstairs, the house was silent. Maybe it's early for a winter morning. They aren't here yet, she thought.
A light flinch escaped her as the doorbell rang. She opened the door, and a man approached her quickly. Why did I open the door for a stranger? I think my brain has gone on vacation.
"I'm an assistant, Madam," he said, slightly out of breath. "Chairman D'Arven, your father, sent me to deliver a message. Your phone wasn't connecting." He straightened his suit jacket. "There is an emergency board meeting today. You are required to attend."
Aika paused, maintaining a neutral expression. "At what time?"
He told her the time and left immediately, without waiting for a reply.
A board meeting? Aika thought, tilting her head slightly. They couldn't simply send a text for this? They must be testing my situation. Oh my, how melodramatic this family is.
"First, food," she muttered. "My brain doesn't function on an empty stomach. I'll think about the meeting later."
She went to the kitchen. Most of the high-end cabinets were tightly locked. She tried the last one, and her face immediately lit up. A pack of cup noodles.
She smiled in relief. "At least they aren't completely heartless," she sighed. "I was starting to worry I'd be forced to survive on those awful potatoes."
After preparing the noodles, she carried them back to her room. She sat on the floor, organizing the specialized legal books she had bought. She put on Helena's glasses. Helena was definitely more than just a rich girl. These are specialized texts.
She started reading, calmly absorbing the complex legal jargon. She read until her eyes burned, then pulled out the notebook she had bought to document the novel's plot. I feel like a writer, or perhaps a copy-paste automaton. I hope my brain remembers.
She checked the time. This is not helping. She had finished eating and reading long ago.
The shock of being late made her stand up quickly. There was no time to consider appearances; she just needed to reach the D'Arven headquarters.
The Silent House
Aika went downstairs and called for the driver. No response. She tried again. Still nothing.
Only then did she realize the profound silence of the mansion. No servants. No staff. No guards. Yesterday, she had been too tired to care. Today, the emptiness felt deliberate.
"Did everyone just disappear overnight, or is today a holiday?" she muttered.
She waited a moment longer, then sighed. Fine. She walked outside, booked a cab on her phone, and waited by the gate.
As the cab arrived, she glanced back at the mansion. So this is how it starts. Slowly. Quietly. No one says anything; they just withdraw services.
She opened the car door and got in. "D'Arven Group headquarters," she instructed.
Aika leaned back and checked her pouch. It contained cash, her phone, a pen, and her glasses. She pulled out her diary and flipped through the novel's plot points.
"Until now, everything matches: engagement broken, public humiliation, disinheritance. That part is done."
She paused, reading the next section—the bar drama, the slap, the scene.
Aika slowly closed the diary. "…Yeah. That's definitely not happening."
She opened it again and read the rest: the night Vahn appeared, helped the drunken Helena, and the following day at the board meeting, the revenge deal was struck.
What a dramatic mess, Aika thought. I skipped the screaming, the slap, the bar drama, and the public embarrassment… and I'm still ending up at the board meeting.
Her lips curved slightly. This story has already changed.
"If Vahn still shows up," she whispered, "then I'll know fate is still watching."
The Eavesdrop and the CEO
The cab stopped at the D'Arven Group headquarters.
First—avoid Vahn, Aika organized her thoughts. If meeting him triggers that whole fake marriage mess, I want no part of it. Second—no scenes. No yelling, no crying, and absolutely no slaps.
She went inside. At the reception, everyone grew silent upon seeing her. Am I that terrifying? She felt awkward under the attention and quickly entered the lift, pushing a button without looking at the floor number.
Following the signs, she exited the elevator, but before she could reach her destination, she found herself standing in front of an office door.
A loud, clear voice echoed from behind it. "…Why is there no soundproofing here?"
She recognized the voices immediately—Marcus (calm, sharp) and Julius (careless, lighter).
"I'm not interested in that project," Julius said lazily. "You can take it."
Marcus scoffed. "Don't even think about involving her."
Julius laughed softly. "Relax. Do you really want me to take my own sister's project? Especially when she conveniently had an accident and lost her memory?"
Aika's breath hitched.
"I could've used her condition for my profit," Julius added flatly. "But I'm not that cruel. Or that dishonest."
Marcus snapped back, his voice rising. "Then don't come crying to me later. I'm putting it in the locker. Stay out of my way."
Conversation's ending. Oh, crap—they're coming out! Run, Aika!
Aika stood up quickly and stepped back—
—and slammed straight into someone.
"Oof!" She stumbled, grabbing onto the fabric of a suit to steady herself. Oh no. My bad-luck chapter.
"Miss Helena, are you okay?" he asked.
She looked up and nodded. "It's nice to see you here."
A tall man in a formal suit stood before her—polite, sharp, and faintly amused.
Is it that man?
Her mind blanked for a second before snapping back.
"Oh, yes. I remember now," she said smoothly. "Mr. Vahn."
He smiled faintly. "Yes."
The office door handle clicked.
Aika reacted instantly. She stepped back and, in her haste, stepped hard on his polished shoe.
"Oh—!" she whispered, leaning closer. "Shh. Please don't talk."
Vahn glanced down at his shoe, then back at her. "…Are you hiding from someone?"
Aika nodded seriously. "Yes."
"Why are you crouching in front of an office door?"
She paused. "That's a good question, but I think it's better asked in a few minutes."
Another soft click sounded.
Oh, crap.
Aika grabbed his sleeve and pulled him slightly aside. "Just five seconds," she whispered. "If someone sees me, I'll die. Socially."
"You can hide behind me," Vahn offered calmly.
She shook her head immediately. "No. I can hide myself."
"You're refusing assistance?"
"Yes," she said seriously. "Because hiding behind a man I barely know is significantly more uncomfortable than being caught."
She scanned the hallway and spotted a cleaning trolley near a storage door. "There. Perfect."
"That's a janitorial area."
"Yes. A safe place. No one looks at cleaning areas."
She crouched beside the trolley and pulled the folding panel forward. Then she paused and looked back at him.
"You're not allowed to look," she warned. "This isn't funny."
Vahn turned his head slightly away. "Noted."
Footsteps passed. When they faded, Aika peeked out.
"…Did they go?"
"Yes."
She stood, brushing down her skirt. "See? Successful hiding. Zero help required."
Vahn studied her. "You still asked me for confirmation, Miss Helena."
She waved it off. "It's just confirmation. I didn't ask for help." She picked up her bag. "Anyway, today never happened. We didn't meet. And I'm sorry about your shoe."
"And if I disagree?"
"Then disagree. I already apologized."
She checked the time. I still have to find that stupid boardroom.
The Boardroom Door
Aika wandered the floor twice before realizing she was lost.
She stopped a passing employee. "Excuse me. Can you tell me where the board meeting room is?"
"Second corridor, last door on the left."
"Thank you."
She reached the door and tried the handle. Nothing. She pushed. Nothing.
Why is this door judging me?
She noticed the glass panel.
They can see everything.
The door opened from inside. A board member stared at her.
"…Good morning," Aika said weakly.
She slipped inside and sat down, heart pounding.
An elderly man entered. Aika stood automatically—then froze as no one else did.
She sat back down, face burning.
Too many unspoken rules.
She clasped her hands under the table, forcing herself to stay calm.
Corporate life is terrifying, she concluded