"Yeah right, you pervert," Matthew said while rolling his eyes.
"I'm appreciating art," Ava argued immediately. "Very expensive art too."
Matthew chuckled softly at her nonsense.
Ava was about to say something else when she suddenly looked up
And nearly had a heart attack.
Luis was standing silently outside her bedroom door staring at her with judgment written all over his face.
"You fucking bastard!" Ava screamed.
She immediately threw the giant teddy bear directly at him.
"Are you trying to kill your sister?!"
Luis caught the teddy bear dramatically before tossing it back at her.
"Your happiness annoys me," he said calmly. "Why are you talking to a guy this late? It's almost eleven."
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"What exactly do you two have to discuss on the phone that you can't say in real life?"
Ava looked annoyed instantly.
Without hesitation, she reached beneath her pillow and pulled out her pistol.
Click.
She racked the slide calmly before switching the safety off.
Luis froze.
Then immediately ran out of the room at full speed before slamming the door shut behind him.
Matthew stared at the screen silently for a second.
"...Was that your brother?"
"Hm." Ava sighed dramatically while placing the gun back under her pillow. "He's the reason I had to rush home early. Jake gave him my key card that bastard."
Matthew slowly raised one eyebrow.
"Jake has your key card?"
"Well…" Ava looked slightly awkward now. "His father owns this condo building so my friend group normally has access to each other's places."
Then she added quickly,
"And Luis threatened him for it."
Matthew rested his chin lazily against his hand.
"I see."
A pause.
"So he's also the one who helped you get access to my apartment?"
Ava blinked.
"...Maybe."
Matthew stared at her calmly.
Ava immediately pointed elsewhere. "He forced me to take your key card," she said shamelessly. "I was innocent."
Matthew almost laughed.
The level of nonsense leaving her mouth honestly impressed him sometimes.
Ava meanwhile suddenly sighed dramatically before hugging the teddy bear again.
"If you want to report report only him okay"
"Anyway…" she muttered sadly, "I'm going to miss you."
Matthew looked at her.
"I'm being dragged to my grandparents' place for the Unity Holiday celebration." Ava looked genuinely traumatized now. "I would honestly rather stay in your arms than pretend I remember everyone's names."
Matthew chuckled quietly.
"Don't worry," he said lazily. "You'll still have my pictures to keep you company whenever you feel lonely."
Ava blinked slowly.
Then narrowed her eyes.
"So you won't feel bad if I kiss them?" she teased. "Or lick them?"
Matthew looked completely calm.
"Why would I feel bad?" he asked casually. "Look at me, Ava."
He leaned slightly closer to the screen again.
"It would honestly be weirder if you could resist me."
Ava's lips twitched instantly.
What a narcissist.
"Who would've thought becoming your friend would unlock this personality?" Ava muttered. "You're secretly so shameless."
"Hm." Matthew shrugged lazily while feeding himself another grape. "I simply speak facts."
Ava stared at him for a second before suddenly smiling.
"Then why don't I come keep you company right now?"
she looked like she would still go even if he refused.
Matthew smiled slowly.
"Sure," he answered calmly. "Why not?"
Ava's eyes lit up instantly.
She immediately jumped off her bed, rushed out of her room, ran across the hallway, and stopped in front of Matthew's apartment only two doors away.
Meanwhile
Matthew calmly put another grape into his mouth.
Chewed slowly.
Completely unhurried.
Then finally continued speaking.
"Though," he said casually, "I already changed the key card access and removed the fingerprint authorization."
A pause.
"The fingerprint you stole from me won't work anymore."
Ava froze outside his apartment door.
Slowly
Very slowly
She looked down at her screen with complete disbelief.
Matthew smiled sweetly.
Ava's mouth fell open. "...Cut the call."
Matthew looked innocent. "Hm?"
"Cut the call right now."
Matthew finally laughed softly.
"You rushed out before I finished speaking," he reminded her lazily. "So don't blame me."
Then he added calmly,
"You honestly thought I wouldn't change the code after realizing you aren't normal?"
Ava stood outside his apartment door looking personally betrayed.
Matthew looked far too amused by her expression.
"I don't want to wake up one day and find you sleeping beside me like some horror movie ghost," he continued teasingly.
Ava narrowed her eyes dangerously at the screen.
Meanwhile Matthew looked completely relaxed.
"Goodnight, Ava," he said softly, obvious amusement still in his voice. "You really made my day interesting."
Then before Ava could threaten him
The call ended.
Ava stood outside his apartment door in silence looking like life had personally scammed her.
Ava pouted and returned to her apartment, locking the door behind her. She headed straight to her room and threw herself onto the bed, hugging the teddy bear tightly.
Silently cursing Matthew, she eventually drifted off to sleep.
The scent of breakfast was what woke her the next morning.
"So tasty... I want to eat..." Ava mumbled sleepily.
Wait.
Eat?
Who the fuck is cooking?
Ava's eyes snapped open and she sat upright in bed.
"Fuck. Who's in my house?"
Then she immediately flopped back onto the mattress.
Right.
Her idiot brother was here.
Ava rolled around on the bed dramatically.
"Today is Sunday. Fuck. I have to drag my ass to Grandpa's place. Fuck my life."
After complaining for a few more seconds, she finally got up.
She made her bed, took a shower, brushed her teeth, and finished her skincare routine.
When she finally came out, she was dressed in a white ribbed strapless tube top, high-waisted cream cargo pants, and an oversized beige zip-up hoodie hanging loosely off her shoulders.
A white baseball cap sat over her long red hair, which was still slightly damp and loosely coiled behind her.
She paired the outfit with white platform sneakers, clean white socks, a white nylon crescent bag, a diamond bracelet, silver butterfly-drop earrings, a touch of lip gloss, and her favorite rose perfume.
After admiring herself in the mirror, she struck a pose, took a photo, and immediately sent it to Matthew.
Only then did she leave her room.
Walking down the hallway, she entered the kitchen.
Or rather
The kitchen Luis had transformed into every chef's dream.
The entire space looked straight out of a luxury design magazine.
White marble countertops reflected the morning sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sleek smart appliances were seamlessly built into the walls.
A large kitchen island stood in the center beneath elegant pendant lights, while hidden storage systems and touch-screen cabinets gave the room a futuristic feel.
Ava's lips twitched.
Luis really couldn't sit still when he was bored.
Her brother was currently wearing a thick oversized cream hoodie, matching loose cargo pants, chunky white sneakers, and black stud earrings.
He stood at the island arranging breakfast like a professional chef.
There were perfectly fried eggs with runny golden yolks surrounded by chili sauce, fluffy pancakes dripping with syrup, fresh fruit salad, strawberry cheesecake, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Luis looked up from admiring his masterpiece.
He had apparently been awake since before dawn, finished exercising, gotten bored, and decided to cook.
"Wow," Luis said as he took a bite of a pancake. "You look like someone pressed copy and paste. I know I'm a fashion icon, but copying my outfit? Gross stalker."
"It is the power of sibling bonding. We match."
Ava climbed onto the kitchen counter and stole a pancake.
"You should change though. You look like trash standing next to me." She added
Luis placed a hand over his chest.
"Don't you have a cranky mouth, Red Hair?"
His voice was just as sweet as hers.
Ava happily continued eating.
"I'll tell Mom you're insulting her genes. Red hair is natural in our family, adopted child."
Luis immediately stood up and reached for her food.
Ava dodged.
"But my brother is so sweet," Ava continued smoothly. "And he inherited Dad's beautiful star-like eyes. So handsome. So gorgeous perfect family I took mom red hair you took dad colour of eyes."
She hid the food behind her back while praising him shamelessly.
Luis paused.
Then slowly sat back down.
"I'll let this slide."
Ava grinned victoriously and continued eating.
Luis narrowed his eyes.
One day he was definitely disowning this sister.
"Eat quickly. Grandpa and Mom already called us to hurry up," Luis said.
He stretched his hand across the counter, stole an egg from Ava's plate with his fork, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Ava immediately smacked his arm.
"Get your own food."
"I made the food ava."
After breakfast, Ava washed the dishes while Luis disappeared to get ready.
A few minutes later, they left the apartment together.
Their driver was already waiting outside the condo.
Meanwhile, Matthew had just woken up.
After brushing his teeth and preparing breakfast, he sat down to eat before eventually picking up his phone.
A notification caught his attention.
Do Not Answer.
Matthew paused.
Then calmly changed the contact name.
Crazy Girl.
Only then did he open the messages.
The first thing he saw was the photo Ava had sent earlier.
Matthew took a sip of water while looking at the picture.
Then he simply sent a heart emoji.
Afterward, he put his phone down and headed toward his study, planning to spend the morning reading.
Five minutes later another notification appeared.
Matthew picked up his phone again.
Ava: Did someone replace you or is this actually Matthew?
Matthew raised an eyebrow.
Matthew: I have to say something is sexy when it is indeed sexy I don't liar Ava .
Ava: Hmm. You have a sweet mouth, don't you? I've forgiven you for yesterday's incident. Not letting me into your house. Don't do it again.
Matthew leaned back in his chair.
Matthew: Yes ma'am. Anything else?
Ava: Talking to me won't kill you, Matthew.
Matthew: And who told you so? Be quick. If my social battery runs out, I'm blocking you.
A few seconds later Ava sent a sticker of a girl spanking a dog's backside.
Matthew's lips twitched.
He put down the pen he had been holding, crossed one leg over the other, and rested his elbow on the table while using that hand to support his chin .
Ava: Send me a picture too. Shirtless. Your tattoo.
Matthew: Didn't you take enough screenshots already?
Ava: No. Thinking about someone else tattooing you annoys me. I've barely seen you shirtless, yet somebody got to see your chest and even touch it while drawing on you. Tsk tsk.
Matthew immediately recognized the attempt at guilt-tripping.
Matthew: I don't see anything wrong with that. Didn't you get a piercing in your navel? Someone saw it and touched it too. I bet Jake was there wasn't he ? Did he accompany you there for support?
The chat instantly went silent.
Matthew stared at the screen for several seconds.
No reply.
He clicked his tongue.
Looks like I won.
Just as he was about to put his phone away, another message arrived.
Ava: Sorry. I was digging a pit for you and somehow ended up falling into it myself. Anyway, Happy Unity Holiday, babe.
Matthew's eyebrow raise slightly at the new nickname before he replied.
Matthew: It's "friend" for you.
Ava: Sure babe.
Ava: Babe, wish me luck too. I'm already arriving at my grandpa's place. I'm going to spend a whole week without you. Sigh. Miss me, dream of me, and stay away from any female or male trying to seduce you. Don't be the reason they suffer.
Matthew stared at the message for a moment before replying.
Matthew: Hmm. Got it. Happy Unity Holiday to you too.
Then he turned off his phone and returned to his book.
Meanwhile, Ava happily put her phone away.
"Is it your crush you're messaging?" Luis asked from beside her. "Doesn't he have to spend the holiday with his family too?"
Ava shrugged.
"Am I his family? How am I supposed to know whether he goes or not? How is that my business?"
She crossed her arms and continued looking out the window.
The city slowly faded behind them as the scenery became greener the farther they drove.
Luis looked at her suspiciously.
"Since he's your crush, shouldn't you know more about his family? Gather information. If he's close to them, get close to them too and earn some points. If he isn't, then you can be the shoulder he cries on everyone knows the rules."
Ava looked at him like he had said something stupid.
"I want him in my bed, not his family, Luis fuck rules I don't do that shit ."
Luis choked on air.
Ava continued calmly as if discussing the weather.
"Why would I go through pointless trouble for nothing? If I need to lower my head, act humble, and seek approval from his family or friends just to get a man, then I'm definitely not our parents' daughter and I'm lazy for that shit rather threaten them."
Luis immediately started laughing.
Ava ignored him.
"I don't need anyone's approval, and I don't need to pretend to be someone else."
Her tone remained completely casual.
"I get what I want when I want it."
"If I want information, I can always get it the darker way."
Luis stared at her.
Ava stared back.
"..."
"..."
"Sometimes," Luis finally said, "I genuinely worry about the people around you."
Ava smiled brightly.
"That's because you're a caring brother."
"No."
Luis shook his head immediately.
"It's because you're another level of crazy."
Ava looked offended.
"I am a very reasonable person."
Luis laughed so hard he nearly fell against the car door.
The driver silently raised the divider between the front and back seats.
He had learned long ago that listening to the Quinn siblings for extended periods caused headaches.
"You are talking like you're some kind of saint," Ava said.
She wasn't even surprised the driver had raised the divider.
The man had probably done it out of self-preservation.
Luis winked at her.
"Maybe I am."
Ava snorted.
"Does acting like an angel make you forget your heart is as dark as the night? You're the one who always tests the law just to see where the line is then cross it for fun. No matter how perfect you act."
Luis chuckled.
"Who knows? Maybe being humble will become my thing."
He leaned comfortably against the seat.
"I'll try it one day if I fall in love."
Ava immediately looked disgusted.
"You? Humble?"
She laughed.
"I bet you'd manipulate them into giving you what you want manipulate the poor person family to death."
Luis raised an eyebrow.
Ava continued mercilessly.
"And then of act weak to earn points, you'd rather isolate your prey from everything else until it can't run away."
A pause.
"Even if there was never any point in running."
Luis smiled.
A very beautiful smile.
A very concerning smile.
"We really did take after our parents."
For once, Ava didn't argue.
Because unfortunately
That was true.
The car continued deeper into the private residential district.
This neighborhood wasn't open to ordinary wealthy families.
It was reserved for ancient clans, political dynasties, military families, and old-money households whose influence stretched across generations.
The estates were separated by enormous distances.
Each property occupied enough land to build an entire luxury neighborhood.
Massive iron gates, private forests, artificial lakes, and personal security checkpoints appeared one after another.
Yet somehow each estate looked more impressive than the last.
Ava watched silently through the window.
Then finally
Their destination appeared.
The Quinn Estate.
Or more accurately—
The Quinn Palace.
The entire property stretched across the mountainside like a kingdom hidden from the modern world.
A massive black-and-gold gate stood at the entrance, covered with intricate artistic carvings that seemed ancient at first glance until subtle futuristic lighting illuminated the patterns from within.
Beyond the gates, a long road curved through perfectly maintained gardens.
Crystal-clear rivers flowed through the estate, connected by elegant stone bridges.
Ancient pavilions stood beside modern glass structures.
Traditional architecture blended seamlessly with futuristic design.
Towering buildings made of white stone and glass reflected the sunlight like diamonds.
Floating holographic displays were hidden among flowering trees.
Artificial waterfalls poured down rocky cliffs while autonomous maintenance drones quietly moved through the gardens.
Ancient sculptures stood beside interactive art installations.
Everywhere looked expensive.
Not the kind of expensive that tried to show off.
The kind of expensive that came from centuries of wealth.
The main residence sat at the center of the estate.
A breathtaking structure that looked like a palace, a museum, and a luxury resort combined into one.
Towering glass walls reflected the mountains behind it.
Dark marble pillars supported elegant curved roofs inspired by ancient architecture.
Gold accents decorated the edges without appearing excessive.
The entire building carried an atmosphere of power, history, and prestige.
As if generations of influential people had lived and died within those walls.