"This way." A White Bird subordinate gestured for them to follow him after Daunting Spirit showed him the badge White Bird gave—or lend—him.

Standing next to him was Thrill Seeker, who 'seem' to not be in awe of her surrounding in the slightest. Although, that gleam in her eyes told him otherwise.

​​

When they began walking among the seemingly endless, familiar hallways, Daunting Spirit noticed from the corner of his eye that his partner's steps were faltering.

The distance between them was gradually increasing every time she stops for a moment to look at something.

She was getting distracted.

Sighing, he marched towards her and grabbed her arm. "Keep your attention to the main reason why we're here." He whispered sharply.

"Ah, sorry." She said, but her tone was unapologetic.

Daunting Spirit rolled his eyes and made sure her arm was hooked around his so she could keep up and wouldn't be left behind.

Up ahead, their guide stopped and waited for the two to reach him. Daunting Spirit apologized sheepishly and thanked the man for not abandoning them.

"Right here." He said once they approached a huge double-door. "Just go in, the Elders are already expecting you."

Yeah, as if that would calm his nerves.

Biting back the sarcastic remark that threatened to be blurted out, Daunting Spirit simply nodded at the man.

According to the sources and rumors he'd gathered, there are at least ten White Bird Elders—four he'd already met.

"Don't forget that I'm here with you this time." Hearing his partner speak, he turned his head in her direction. "If they decided that this alliance wasn't worth it in the end, we'll fight them off to death."

"And if we die, I'll search for you in hell and kill you again."

"Heh, you can try if you could."

***

They had just left the former Vermillion Dragon base when Lillie felt her phone vibrating over the inside pocket of her coat.

Reading the name of the caller, she immediately answered, putting it on loudspeaker so Ethan could listen. "Mom?"

[Little Flower, where are you right now?]

"Ethan and I are having dinner outside." Lillie swiftly lied. "What's wrong?"

[Your grandmother just called and asked if we could all have dinner with them tonight. But I see that you and your hubby are already having dinner, I'm sure your grandparents will understand.]

"Tell grandmother and grandfather that Ethan and I are sorry for not making it."

[Of course, dear. On the other hand, your reason is valid, unlike your wayward of a brother.] Mother Bai let out an irked sigh.

Lillie dreads to ask because she knows that her dear mother would sometimes—if not most of the time—let a conversation go on for hours to fulminate about everything that made her unhappy on a particular day.

But unfortunately, Lillie doesn't need to ask. There's no stopping Mother Bai from spilling her displeasure on her only daughter.

[He was going home very late again, saying that he's going to his classmate's house to finish a group project.] She scoffed. [I would've believed him if I wasn't his mother. That boy's still wet behind the ears if he thought he could trick me. I ignored his late-night escapades the last time because he was spending time with his girlfriend—]

"Gabriel has a girlfriend?" Lillie said in slight disbelief.

'Her' little brother?

How come her mother knows, and she doesn't?

Her beloved younger brother wouldn't hide his girlfriend from his dear elder sister, would he?

['You' don't know? Really?] See, even her mother was perplexed.

[Yifei is not Gabriel's girlfriend, honey.] Father Bai's faint voice chimed in. Turns out he's around her mother, eavesdropping on the phone call.

[Oh hush, you. They're obviously dating. Lucy agrees with me.]

"Mother did mention that Yifei has been spending a lot of time with Gabriel lately. But I didn't delve too deeply into it." Ethan said after hearing his mother-in-law's explanation. "I thought they were getting to know each other better."

"Hm, I thought so too." Lillie returned her attention on the phone. "Where do you think Gabriel is, mom? Is he with Yifei?"

[I wouldn't be complaining about his late-night escapades again if he was. I called Lucy, and she said Yifei is already in her room, sleeping. Aiyo, good child.]

"Do you want me to look for him?" Lillie offered.

[Let him be, Little Flower. Your brother's old enough to take care of himself. Your mother was just upset that he wasn't joining us to have dinner with your grandparents.]

[His excuse wasn't reasonable this time too. How could he skip out from family time for some fictitious project? See if he doesn't receive tongue-lashing from me when he gets home.]

Lillie felt sorry for her younger brother. Is he on that stage of youth where he goes around at night to have fun with friends?

Hopefully, he's not out causing trouble or doing any sort of bad habits.

With their destination appearing in their line of sight, Father Bai luckily prompted Mother Bai to cut the call short with her daughter—and continue it at a favorable time—so they could leave to have dinner with the elder Bai couple.

[See you soon, Little Flower, Ethan.] Mother Bai chirpily bid them. [Enjoy your date night!]

A fond smile involuntary crept Lillie's lips behind her phoenix mask as she turned off her phone and secured it back inside her coat's pocket.

The large metal gates creaked and groaned noisily as it drew open for them.

Pulling over by the entrance driveway, she saw her subordinates already standing in organized lines, preparing to greet their Lady Boss.

Like the gentleman he is, Ethan went out first to open the door for her.

Ivory pointed stiletto pumps on slender feet came into view first. Then finally, in a relaxed manner, the heart and brain of the organization completely stepped out from the car, emitting a regal, imposing air that chills anyone to the bones within proximity.

"Welcome back, White Bird!"