CHAPTER 99 – Departure
Date: 14 November – Night
Sydney Mansion
The Sydney mansion driveway was unusually alive that night.
Luxury cars lined the circular path, soft golden lights from the mansion spilling across the marble entrance. The night air carried a slight chill, and the sound of suitcase wheels rolling across the stone floor echoed faintly.
Care stood near the black car waiting to take her to the airport.
A sleek suitcase rested beside her.
The sudden London meeting had come out of nowhere.
Three days.
Just three days.
But somehow the mansion already felt like it was about to lose its gravity.
All eighteen of them had gathered outside.
Some leaning against pillars.
Some sitting on the hood of cars.
Some simply standing there watching her.
Because whenever Care left, the house always felt a little… less loud.
JJ crossed her arms dramatically.
"Three days without you…" she said with a sigh.
"This house might actually become peaceful."
Care slowly turned to her.
One eyebrow raised.
"JJ," she said calmly, "if peace ever happens in this house…"
She gestured toward the entire chaotic group.
"…it means everyone died."
For one second there was silence.
Then the entire driveway exploded into laughter.
Alex clapped once loudly.
"Savage."
CIN shook his head with a smirk.
"Accurate though."
Kiefer leaned against the car beside him.
"She's not wrong."
Lyra dramatically placed a hand on her chest.
"Excuse me? I am the only peaceful person here."
Aries immediately pointed at her.
"Liar."
JJ added instantly,
"Certified liar."
Cole, who had been standing slightly away from everyone near the staircase railing, just watched quietly.
His eyes followed Care.
Observing.
Memorizing.
The way she stood.
The way she laughed.
Because even when she acted strong…
He always knew when she was tired.
Care picked up her suitcase.
"Relax. I'll be back in three days."
Kiefer smirked.
"You say that like London won't try to steal you."
Care shrugged.
"Let them try."
Aries grinned.
"Confidence level: illegal."
CIN stepped forward slightly.
"Just don't work yourself to death there."
Care gave a lazy salute.
"Yes, doctor."
JJ walked forward next and hugged her tightly.
"Don't skip meals."
Care sighed dramatically.
"You sound like my grandmother."
JJ smacked her arm.
"Because you behave like a stubborn child."
Lyra hugged her next.
"Bring me something from London."
Care raised an eyebrow.
"You're a billionaire."
Lyra shrugged.
"Still."
Kiefer stepped forward.
"Call if anything goes wrong."
Care smirked.
"When does anything not go wrong?"
He had no answer for that.
Finally her eyes drifted to Cole.
He hadn't moved.
Hadn't spoken.
He just stood there watching.
Care walked over slowly.
For a second neither of them said anything.
Then she lightly punched his shoulder.
"Why do you look like someone just died?"
Cole exhaled slightly.
"Just three days."
Care tilted her head.
"You'll survive."
Cole looked at her.
Barely smiling.
"Debatable."
For a moment the noise of everyone faded.
Then Alex shouted from the back.
"HEY LOVE BIRDS THE PLANE WILL LEAVE."
Everyone laughed again.
Care shook her head.
"Idiots."
She hugged Cole quickly.
Then grabbed her suitcase.
"Behave while I'm gone."
JJ shouted instantly.
"No promises!"
Care got into the car.
The door shut.
The engine started.
The car slowly drove out of the massive gates of the Sydney mansion.
And just like that…
She was gone.
Later That Night
The living room looked like a battlefield of snacks, coffee mugs, and random chaos.
Everyone had gathered there again.
Some on couches.
Some on the floor.
Some half-asleep.
The mansion suddenly felt…
Too quiet.
Lyra threw a pillow at Aries.
"This place is boring already."
Aries caught it.
"Because the boss left."
JJ nodded.
"True."
CIN flipped through something on his tablet.
"The peace is suspicious."
Alex stretched across the couch.
"I give it twelve hours before something explodes."
Kiefer leaned back lazily.
"Accurate prediction."
Cole sat on the armrest of a chair.
Silent.
Then suddenly he spoke.
Casually.
"Hey… are you guys free on 20th November?"
Everyone looked at him.
Aries shrugged.
"Nope. Board meeting."
JJ said instantly,
"Hospital schedule."
Lyra sighed dramatically.
"Fashion launch."
CIN didn't even look up.
"Three surgeries."
Alex shook his head.
"Investor conference."
Kiefer rubbed the back of his neck.
"Depends."
Cole nodded slowly.
"Alright."
He stood up.
"Never mind then."
And just like that…
He walked out of the room.
The door closed behind him.
For a moment…
Silence.
Then Lyra narrowed her eyes.
"That man…"
JJ looked at her.
"What?"
Lyra leaned forward slowly.
"He never asks random questions."
Alex frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Lyra was already unlocking her phone.
"Wait."
She opened the calendar.
Scrolled.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes widened.
Completely.
Her jaw dropped.
"OH MY GOD."
Everyone turned to her instantly.
"What??" Aries asked.
"What happened?" JJ said.
Lyra slowly looked up from her phone.
Like someone had just dropped a bomb in her brain.
"Guys…"
Her voice lowered.
"20th November…"
The room went still.
"…is Care's birthday."
Dead.
Silence.
Then suddenly—
"WHAT?!"
JJ jumped up from the couch.
"You're kidding."
Aries ran a hand through his hair.
"No way."
CIN blinked.
"…seriously?"
Alex stared at the ceiling.
"We all forgot."
Lyra groaned.
"HOW DID WE ALL FORGET?!"
Kiefer rubbed his temples.
"She never celebrates it."
JJ looked horrified.
"And Cole knows."
Lyra slowly nodded.
"Which means…"
Aries finished the sentence.
"He was planning something alone."
JJ slapped the table.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
Alex stood up.
"No way we let him do that alone."
CIN closed his tablet.
"Agreed."
Lyra grinned slowly.
"Oh this is happening."
Kiefer crossed his arms.
"Alright."
He looked around the room.
"Emergency meeting."
JJ pointed dramatically.
"We're planning the biggest birthday of her life."
Aries smirked.
"Operation Care begins."
Alex cracked his knuckles.
"This is going to be chaos."
Lyra grinned like a villain.
"Perfect."
And somewhere upstairs…
Cole had no idea.
That the entire group had just declared war.
On his secret birthday plan.