Deep within the forbidden place of Orahime Palace, inside a dim and spacious chamber lit only by scattered lanterns, Mauja stood in uncontrollable rage.
Glass shattered across the marble floor as she smashed another vase against the wall.
"How… how could this be possible?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the chamber.
Her eyes burned with fury.
"How could Charles die?!"
She turned sharply toward Mubarak, who stood silently in the corner of the room.
"Didn't you say the white poison would have no effect?" she demanded.
Mubarak kept his composure despite the tension thick in the air.
"The white poison only works when the secret has been exposed, Your Highness."
Mauja's expression twisted.
"So go and find out who fucking knows the secret and wipe them off existence already!"
Mubarak lowered his head slightly.
"The investigations are still ongoing because we really don't know who—"
Before he could finish, Mauja hurled another vase across the room. It shattered near his feet.
"Between you and that father of yours, I don't know who is more useless!"
Mubarak's fists tightened.
"What is your use here if you can't even complete a simple task?"
Without hesitation she slapped him across the face. Blood appeared at the corner of his lip.
"You should remember your existence here is only to serve me," she continued coldly. "And if you can't do that properly, it would be better if you go meet that stupid father of yours in hell."
Mubarak raised his head and glared at her.
Mauja grabbed his face violently.
"You better lower those eyes of yours before I gouge them out."
She released him and wiped her hands with the handkerchief a maid quickly handed her.
"I never liked you since the day you were born," she added coldly.
Something inside Mubarak snapped.
He suddenly moved toward the nearby table where a pair of scissors lay.
But Mauja was faster.
Before he could reach it, he threw a handful of ashes into the air. The dust filled the room, blinding everyone for a brief moment.
Using the confusion, Mubarak dashed toward the exit and escaped.
At that moment Aruna stepped out from the underground corridor and watched him run past.
"Aren't you going to stop him?" she asked calmly.
Mauja didn't even move.
She simply smiled while the maids dusted her clothes and poured wine into her glass.
"You see," Mauja said as she sat comfortably on a chair, "loyalty is rewarded… but betrayal is punished."
She took a slow sip of wine.
"Everything is going exactly according to plan."
Her eyes gleamed with calculation.
"If my calculations are correct, he will reach Pruga City soon."
Aruna looked at her in disgust.
"And there," Mauja continued, "he will meet the person who will set my entire plan into motion."
She snapped her fingers.
Five heavily built men dressed in black entered the room and surrounded Aruna.
"You seem to be interfering in matters that don't concern you," Mauja said coldly. "You even revealed your identity."
Her grip tightened around the wine glass until it cracked slightly.
"You're putting me at a disadvantage."
She gestured lazily.
"These young men will escort you to your new room. The last twenty rooms were destroyed or burned… so make sure you behave."
Aruna struggled as the men grabbed her arms.
"You think you can get away with this, Mauja?!"
Mauja laughed softly.
"Of course I will."
"I'm not scared of you!" Aruna shouted.
Mauja's smile turned icy.
"You should be."
She snapped her fingers again.
Three more men dressed in black entered and bowed.
"Put an eye on that boy," she ordered calmly. "Tell me his every move. Make sure he sets our plan into motion."
The men nodded and left immediately.
Mauja leaned back into the sofa, sipping her wine with satisfaction.
Weeks passed.
Back in Sumdem, beneath the towering cliff where Damien's house stood quietly, tension filled the air.
Damien sat on the sofa, deep in thought.
Ever since escaping Zebrew's clutches, he had not been himself.
Is it true? he wondered.
Are my parents really alive?
Suddenly a pillow struck his face.
Alex stood nearby with a smirk.
"If you're worried about your lover, we can go look for her," Alex said casually.
Damien sighed.
"That's not what I'm thinking about."
He leaned forward.
"What if Zebrew was telling the truth? What if my parents—"
"They were killed by Ali a long time ago," Alex interrupted.
"But what if—"
"That old witch is just playing mind games with you."
Damien stayed quiet for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah… you might be right."
Alex smirked.
"I'm always right."
"So what's next?" Damien asked. "Aren't you going back to Mrs. Bello?"
"I will tomorrow," Alex replied. "She called and said she wants me home."
Damien frowned.
"We shouldn't trust her, right? She might try to—"
Alex smiled faintly.
"I already know what she's planning."
Damien looked confused.
"She thinks I killed Humaira," Alex continued calmly. "And she knows I'm aware that Mauja was the one who killed her brother."
His smile turned sad.
"She doesn't even realize she adopted the child of her enemy."
Damien rubbed his head.
"It's not your fault, Alex."
Alex shrugged.
"It's not like I asked to be born."
Damien sighed.
"What if she pulls out a gun on us?"
"You'll be the one driving," Alex said casually.
Damien groaned.
"I have a headache already."
Alex laughed slightly.
"Showing fear to your enemy only makes you look weak."
The next day.
Inside Safeera Bello's mansion, she sat alone on her bed, holding a small bottle.
Her thoughts were heavy.
Even though I told you about Humaira's death… you didn't show up.
She raised the bottle slowly.
"With just a few drops of this… you'll meet Mauja in the hell she belongs in."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Although I have a feeling she's still somewhere out there… plotting evil."
She looked at her phone.
"He should be here soon."
Safeera stood and walked into the bathroom, taking a long bath before dressing in an elegant emerald gown.
A knock came from the door.
"Who is it?"
"Madam," Martha replied from outside. "Young Master Alex and his friend are here."
Safeera took a deep breath.
"I'll come out shortly."
She tightened her grip on the bottle.
"Take the remaining maids and go to the market. Don't serve them anything. I will serve them myself."
"Yes, madam."
The maid left.
Safeera changed quickly and walked out of her room, her expression calm and welcoming.
Finally I get to see my son again after weeks.
She descended the stairs.
Alex and Damien were waiting in the living room.
Safeera smiled warmly.
"Damien, how are you doing?"
Her gaze moved toward Alex.
"Still with Alex, I see."
But behind her gentle smile…
The bottle of poison was still hidden tightly in her hand.
And today…
She intended to use it.