A low mechanical growl echoed through the quiet Quinn Estate as Ava pressed the ignition.
The brand-new black sports car came alive instantly.
Its sleek body reflected the golden evening sky, while the glossy paint mirrored the towering palace behind it like liquid obsidian. The sharp LED headlights lit up one after another before the car rolled smoothly out of the private garage.
The security guards standing at attention immediately opened the enormous black-and-gold gates.
The car glided forward.
Leaving the Quinn residence behind.
The neighborhood surrounding the Quinn Estate was unlike any ordinary residential district.
This was where the true old-money families lived.
There were no identical mansions.
No repetitive designs.
Every estate reflected the personality and history of its owner.
The first house she passed resembled a modern palace floating above a lake, with waterfalls pouring from multiple levels into crystal-clear streams below.
The next looked like an ancient European castle, complete with towering stone walls, stained-glass windows, and ivy climbing its exterior.
Farther ahead stood an elegant Japanese-inspired estate surrounded by cherry blossom trees and koi ponds.
Another mansion looked almost futuristic, built entirely from reflective glass and silver steel, its rooftop covered in gardens and private helipads.
Each property's land was enormous.
One family's estate occupied enough space to fit nearly three football stadiums.
The distance between neighboring homes stretched so far that sometimes several minutes passed before another mansion appeared.
Private forests.
Artificial lakes.
Horse ranches.
Personal golf courses.
Private vineyards.
Everything could be found behind those heavily guarded gates.
Luxury here wasn't loud.
It simply existed.
As Ava continued driving toward the neighborhood exit, the estates gradually became smaller.
Still luxurious.
Still breathtaking.
But no longer comparable to the monster-like properties owned by the founding families.
Eventually...
The final checkpoint disappeared in her rearview mirror.
After a brief scan, the barrier lifted.
The sports car smoothly merged onto the main city road.
The roads widened.
Traffic increased.
She had officially entered Velmora City's commercial district.
Towering skyscrapers filled both sides of the boulevard.
Massive digital billboards covered entire buildings, advertising luxury watches, fashion brands, cosmetics, sports cars, and upcoming concerts.
Businessmen hurried along sidewalks with briefcases.
University students laughed while carrying shopping bags.
Couples crossed the streets hand in hand.
Food stalls released mouthwatering aromas into the evening air.
Street performers attracted crowds with music and dance.
Luxury boutiques stood beside five-star hotels.
Banks.
Corporate headquarters.
International shopping malls.
Entertainment complexes.
Every intersection buzzed with life.
Sports cars roared past.
Motorcycles weaved through traffic
.
Luxury SUVs, executive sedans, taxis, buses, and delivery trucks all moved together in perfect organized chaos beneath the city's intelligent traffic system.
The closer Ava drove toward her destination, the larger the buildings became.
Then it appeared.
NOX AURELIA GAME STATION.
The entertainment complex dominated an entire district.
It looked less like a sports center...
And more like a futuristic city built solely for competition and recreation.
Gigantic holographic letters floated above the entrance, slowly rotating in the air.
Huge digital displays continuously showcased ongoing matches happening throughout the facility.
The main building stretched across dozens of acres, its architecture combining black steel, crystal glass, and silver alloy into an incredibly modern masterpiece.
Multiple interconnected structures branched away from the central building like the petals of a flower.
Outside...
Several outdoor stadiums could already be seen.
A professional football field illuminated beneath towering floodlights.
Basketball courts where friendly matches were taking place.
Tennis courts filled with players rallying back and forth.
An Olympic-sized swimming arena.
Horse-riding tracks winding through landscaped greenery.
A massive racing circuit echoed with the sound of supercars flying around sharp corners.
An archery range.
A baseball field.
Cricket grounds.
Golf courses extending into rolling hills.
Rock-climbing towers rising toward the evening sky.
Nearby, skateboarders performed tricks inside a professionally designed skate park while another area hosted outdoor boxing and wrestling exhibitions.
The building itself contained even more.
The indoor levels housed professional badminton courts, fencing arenas, snooker halls, table tennis, volleyball, bowling alleys, chess lounges, VR gaming zones, esports arenas, karaoke suites, dance studios, shooting simulators, escape rooms, and enormous arcades filled with every type of game imaginable.
Below ground...
Several underground levels contained high-speed kart racing tracks, laser-tag arenas, indoor shooting ranges, private VIP sports rooms, training facilities, and secure members-only entertainment spaces.
Above...
The rooftop had been transformed into another world.
Open-air restaurants overlooked the entire city.
Infinity pools shimmered beneath the evening sky.
Private rooftop tennis courts.
Mini golf courses.
A helicopter landing pad.
A rooftop jogging track surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens where guests relaxed after spending hours inside the complex.
The entrance alone resembled an international airport.
Luxury cars continuously flowed through multiple lanes.
Some vehicles slowly entered after passing the security scanners.
Others exited carrying families, athletes, celebrities, influencers, and wealthy young heirs finishing their evening activities.
Valets guided expensive supercars toward designated VIP parking.
Security personnel directed traffic with practiced efficiency.
Even from a distance The constant movement of people, flashing digital screens, roaring engines, laughter, and cheering made NOX AURELIA GAME STATION feel like a city that never slept.
Ava stepped out of the black sports car, closing the door with a smooth motion.
As expected...
Eyes followed her.
Some admired her beauty.
Others stared at the sports car parked behind her.
It wasn't every day someone saw one of the only two models in the whole of Elysia.
She ignored every single glance.
After all She had long grown accustomed to people looking at her.
Whether it was because of her face Or because she had stolen.... no borrowed her grandfather's favorite sports car.
With practiced elegance, Ava walked toward the entrance, every step carrying effortless confidence.
The valet staff immediately recognized both the vehicle and its owner.
Not one of them dared ask for the keys.
Cars of that level weren't something valets casually parked.
Where they were left...
They stayed.
The attendants simply bowed respectfully.
"Welcome back, Miss Ava."
The towering crystal entrance doors slid open soundlessly.
Rows of impeccably dressed staff bowed in perfect synchronization.
Beyond them...
The main reception hall unfolded.
The lobby was vast enough to rival the arrival terminal of an international airport.
Its ceiling stretched several stories high beneath an enormous transparent dome, allowing the fading evening light to blend
naturally with the elegant indoor illumination.
Rather than traditional chandeliers, thousands of suspended crystal light modules floated gracefully overhead, slowly shifting their brightness to match the time of day.
The polished white marble floor reflected every light so clearly that it resembled a perfectly still lake.
At the very heart of the hall floated a colossal holographic map of the entire NOX AURELIA complex.
The projection rotated slowly in midair.
Every indoor arena.
Every outdoor stadium.
Every underground entertainment level.
Every rooftop facility.
Every restaurant.
Every lounge.
Every VIP section.
Everything was displayed in astonishing detail.
Tiny holographic indicators moved continuously throughout the map, updating crowd density, ongoing competitions, reservation availability, and event schedules in real time.
Visitors simply reached toward the projection and the map responded instantly, enlarging whichever district they selected.
Surrounding the central hologram, enormous virtual display walls stretched almost from floor to ceiling.
One wall displayed an endless snowstorm where icy winds swept across frozen mountains.
Another revealed a tropical ocean so realistic that enormous whales glided silently beneath transparent blue water while schools of colorful fish drifted around coral reefs.
Across the hall a dense fantasy forest glowed beneath moonlight.
Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky while mythical creatures wandered peacefully through the undergrowth.
Farther away...
Volcanoes erupted beneath crimson skies as dragons circled overhead.
Another display recreated an ancient battlefield where gigantic monsters clashed against armored warriors.
The scenes weren't advertisements.
They were immersive environmental displays.
Technology like this wasn't rare in modern society.
Most wealthy entertainment centers possessed similar attractions.
The difference...
Was quality.
NOX AURELIA simply did everything better.
The projections were smoother.
The AI interactions were faster.
The environmental rendering bordered on perfection.
Even those accustomed to the highest level of technology couldn't help appreciating the craftsmanship.
Of course...
Among the visitors who had won promotional tickets and stepped into a place like this for the very first time...
A few couldn't hide their amazement.
Children pointed excitedly toward the floating projections.
Several adults quietly recorded videos despite trying to maintain their composure.
Meanwhile, regular VIP members simply walked past without sparing them a second glance.
Radiating outward from the central hall were dozens of elegant passageways.
Floating holographic signs hovered above every entrance.
Indoor Sports District.
Outdoor Competition Zone.
Arcade World.
Racing Circuit.
Luxury Bars.
Executive Lounges.
Sky Restaurants.
Family Recreation.
VIP Members Club.
Shooting Arena.
Swimming Complex.
Private Entertainment Suites.
Beside every entrance stood a humanoid reception robot.
Their appearances differed slightly depending on the district they represented, yet all wore elegant uniforms matching their assigned area.
Each greeted approaching guests with natural smiles.
"Welcome."
"Enjoy your visit."
"The Racing District is currently hosting tonight's qualifying event."
"The Sky Restaurant still has available reservations."
Their voices were warm.
Their movements flawless.
Throughout the lobby, human employees moved continuously between guests.
Some guided first-time visitors toward their destinations.
Others escorted distinguished members directly to reserved facilities.
Several concierge staff answered questions while maintenance teams quietly kept everything immaculate without disturbing the flow of people.
To one side of the hall stood an impressive bank of transparent elevators.
Behind the crystal walls, guests could see them shooting silently between floors at astonishing speed.
Beside them...
A series of wide escalators carried a steady stream of visitors toward the upper entertainment levels.
The reception area itself occupied an entire side of the lobby.
A long reception counter crafted from luminous white stone curved elegantly beneath the floating NOX AURELIA emblem.
The space was divided into three separate service sections, each separated by generous distances to ensure complete privacy for every guest.
On the left stood a beautiful receptionist dressed in an elegant blue-and-silver uniform.
Silver embroidery flowed across her fitted jacket like rippling water, while sapphire accessories subtly completed the design.
She welcomed guests entering through the public passageways.
In the center stood another receptionist wearing a striking black-and-gold uniform.
Golden embroidery shimmered beneath the lobby lights, giving her an unmistakable air of authority.
Her station handled executive members authorized to access the premium facilities through the escalator levels.
On the far right...
The final receptionist stood behind the most exclusive counter.
Her tailored white uniform was accented with delicate golden embroidery and refined diamond embellishments that sparkled softly beneath the lighting.
Behind her rested a discreet security checkpoint leading directly toward the private VIP elevators.
Only guests possessing the highest level of membership—or those from the Gray, Prestigious, and select Elite families—were granted access through that entrance.
Without slowing her pace...
Ava walked directly toward the rightmost reception desk.
The receptionist bowed gracefully.
"Welcome back, Miss Ava."
She lightly tapped the smooth crystal counter.
A transparent screen silently unfolded between them.
Three floating circles appeared.
Each glowed with a different color.
Red.
The standard membership.
Purple.
The Executive Membership.
Silver.
The highest level.
The VIP Sovereign Membership.
Without hesitation, Ava pressed her thumb against the silver circle.
A faint beam of light swept across her fingerprint before another scanned her iris.
Identity confirmed.
Welcome back, Sovereign Member Ava Quinn.
The display disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
The receptionist immediately retrieved a slender transparent glass card from a hidden compartment beneath the counter.
Tiny silver patterns shimmered inside the card like flowing mercury.
She presented it respectfully with both hands.
"Your private room has already been prepared, ma'am."
Her tone became noticeably more respectful than before.
Not because of Ava's identity She didn't know it.
Only because anyone holding a Sovereign Membership deserved that level of courtesy.
Ava accepted the card.
Without another word, she walked toward the private VIP elevator.
The security scanner read the card automatically.
Access Granted.
The elevator doors slid open.
Inside, the cabin was surprisingly spacious.
Floor-to-ceiling transparent walls displayed a panoramic holographic view of the city as the elevator rose silently through the building.
Soft instrumental music played quietly in the background.
Within seconds...
The doors opened again.
She stepped into the Sovereign Members' Lounge.
Unlike the bustling entertainment areas below, this floor was almost silent.
The lounge resembled a private luxury clubhouse more than a game station.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the illuminated city skyline.
Several exclusive entertainment rooms branched away from the central lounge.
Private snooker suites.
Luxury card rooms.
Chess salons.
Wine lounges.
Meeting rooms.
Even private cinemas.
The number of guests here was small.
Every single one belonged to the highest social circles.
A uniformed staff member approached immediately.
"This way, Miss Ava."
She followed him through a quiet corridor before stopping outside a private suite.
The staff member opened the door.
Inside...
Jordan and Jake were in the middle of a snooker match.
Jordan casually chalked the tip of his cue while Jake leaned over the table, carefully lining up his next shot.
Across the room...
Jane and Luna sat opposite each other at a beautifully carved chess table.
Several pieces had already been captured.
Without even looking up...
Luna spoke first.
"Look who's finally decided to bless us with her presence."
She raised an eyebrow.
Ava ignored the comment and lazily threw herself onto one of the oversized couches.
Jordan glanced at her outfit before looking at the wall clock.
"What the hell were you doing all afternoon? Coming when It's almost eight."
His gaze traveled over her carefully styled appearance.
"And dressed like that?"
He smirked.
"Meeting your man afterward?"
Ava looked genuinely bored.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
She spread her arms slightly.
"I look radiant And I was dealing with business."
Jake finally took his shot.
Click.
The white cue ball rolled elegantly across the table before knocking the green ball cleanly into the pocket.
He smiled.
"Mama looks great Exactly."
Ava nodded proudly.
Jane lifted another chess piece.
"So...Which student club are you joining?"
Before she could quietly move the piece somewhere it definitely didn't belong—
Thump.
A pillow smacked her squarely on the head.
"Ow!"Jane glared."Luna!"
Luna calmly folded her arms.
"No cheating."
Only then did Ava suddenly sit upright.
"Oh I completely forgot Starting Monday we'll still have to go to school all because of that stupid international competition."
Jordan sighed dramatically.
"Makes no difference After that week, regular classes start again Summer classes too it's exam season and somehow the school still expects us to have fun Our reading schedule is going to be absolute hell."
Jake rolled his eyes.
"You say that like our schedule has ever been good."
Jordan clicked his tongue.
"Let me complain."
Ava leaned comfortably against the couch.
"I'll join whichever club my handsome picks."
The room instantly erupted.
"Awwwww—"
Jane hugged herself dramatically.
"So beautifully disgusting."
Luna didn't even bother looking away from the chessboard.
"You say that as if you and Jordan are any better."
Jane scoffed.
"You seem awfully invested in my business."
Luna calmly moved her knight.
It landed perfectly on Jane Bishop.
Jane's bishop disappeared from the board.
"A business that's open to the public should expect public opinions."
Jane narrowed her eyes.
"Then give us opinions on our kiss," Jordan said.
Jordan didn't move quickly.
He closed the small distance between him and Jane with a calm, deliberate patience that made the room hold its breath.
He reached up and tilted her chin, fingers light against her jaw, eyes asking for permission in a way that didn't need words.
Jane met him halfway, her fingers finding the back of his neck.
The first touch of their lips was soft, exploratory—like testing the surface of still water.
Then Jordan deepened it, the motion slow and unhurried, as if he were memorizing the shape of her mouth.
Their breathing synced the noise of the room faded to a dull hum. Fingers threaded through hair, palms warmed cheeks, and the kiss stretched out, languid and intense, full of the kind of quiet claim that leaves a small, intimate aftershiver.
Ava stared.
"What the fuck was that?"
Jake's cue slipped.
The shot missed completely.
Jordan finally pulled away.
Jane smiled smugly before placing her final chess piece onto the board.
"Power of our kiss."
"Checkmate."
Luna stared at the board for several seconds."...I hate both of you."
Jordan burst into laughter.