The last time anyone had seen Cai Ying was at the alumni reunion a year ago.
After the huge incident that night, no one had seen her again.
For the past year, Cai Ying had truly frozen her career. She hadn't taken on a single architectural design project, even though wealthy clients continued trying to reach out to her. There were rumors that she had met a female street graffiti artist and that the two of them had fallen in love. But they were only rumors.
After the incident a year ago, many people had begun to wonder whether Cai Ying and Valko had worked together to bully Duyen. Or even about Kai's mysterious disappearance, along with the other men inside that blood-soaked room.
What had really happened?
People's trust in Cai Ying had plummeted. Duyen had done her best to explain everything from a different perspective. To Duyen, Cai Ying had been nothing more than another victim.
That explanation had genuinely improved how people viewed Cai Ying. Even so, Cai Ying herself was consumed by guilt.
Because of that, she never dared contact anyone from the alumni group. The timid way she walked into the ballroom made everyone pause for a moment.
Cai Ying had matured in many ways. She had grown thinner. The small, adorable face she once had had gradually faded away. The lingering sadness on her face instead gave her a beauty that suited her age. Even her fashion style had changed. Perhaps after a year... Everyone had truly changed.
"Cai Ying..."
Dao murmured softly. The playful smile on her face immediately disappeared as she stared at Cai Ying in surprise. She had actually tried contacting Cai Ying countless times. But she had never received a single reply. She hadn't expected Cai Ying to really come. Even Naomi, Linh, and the other girls stopped their partying.
Surprise. Relief. And concern for Cai Ying. Those emotions spread through the entire hall.
Mina, Duyen, and Shana also sensed something unusual and turned around. The moment they saw Cai Ying—Duyen's eyes widened in surprise. Meanwhile, Mina simply stood there, silently looking at Cai Ying. Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. The moment Cai Ying noticed that expression, her entire body trembled.
She wanted to walk over to them. Yet her feet froze in place.
Was Mina angry? Of course she was...
Nayeon immediately put her wine glass down. She sobered up in an instant.
"Cai Ying... Wait... you mean that's the girl...? This is bad... If Mina loses her temper here..."
Nayeon looked anxiously toward Mina. Yet Mina remained silent. She simply stood there. Only God knew what she was truly thinking. But those familiar with Mina's reputation in the underworld knew exactly how cold-blooded she was when punishing those who betrayed her.
During just her first year as head of the Kamakiri family, one infamous figure after another had mysteriously disappeared.
Who wouldn't be afraid?
And considering everything Cai Ying had done—Even if she had only been manipulated into doing it. To Mina...She had crossed the line far too far.
Dao swallowed nervously as she looked at the situation. This really wasn't good. She was genuinely happy to see Cai Ying again. But she didn't want this reunion to descend into chaos if Mina's anger exploded. At that moment, Dao thought there was only one solution.
She should quickly lead Cai Ying somewhere outside Mina's sight.
Yet despite the crushing pressure and overwhelming guilt weighing on her. Somehow—Cai Ying found the courage to keep walking forward. Everyone stared at her in astonishment.
"Cai Ying... Wait..." Dao called out helplessly.
Yet contrary to everyone's worries—Duyen and Shana remained remarkably calm. Shana crossed her arms with a mischievous grin, leisurely looking Cai Ying up and down. She even let out a low whistle, impressed by her courage. Cai Ying truly looked petite and adorable, even after losing so much weight.
As for Duyen—With obvious relief on her face—She looked at Cai Ying the way a mother would look at a child finally returning home. Cai Ying met Duyen's warm eyes and gentle smile. A wave of warmth spread through her chest. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
But what about Mina?
Weren't those two worried that she might suddenly lose control?
Mina still wore the same cold expression as Cai Ying finally stopped before them. The girl's slender fingers tightly intertwined with each other. She was genuinely terrified. Then Cai Ying bit her lip and bowed deeply—A perfect ninety degrees.
"I'm truly sorry, Duyen... for all the trouble I caused you!"
Mina's brows relaxed slightly. She looked somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Cai Ying to say that. Everyone else was equally stunned. Even the musicians stopped playing. Silence enveloped the ballroom.
Duyen merely smiled gently at Cai Ying. Then Cai Ying turned toward Mina and bowed once more. Mina's eyes widened slightly.
"I'm sorry, Mina... I was too selfish... I dragged Duyen into everything... I indirectly hurt her... and yet, in the end... she still tried to protect me..."
"Ah..."
That was all Mina managed to say softly. The surprise—and slight bewilderment—on her face caught everyone off guard. Mina even turned toward Duyen. But Duyen simply smiled back and gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
Mina let out a quiet sigh. Slowly, she reached out and gently lifted Cai Ying's chin. Only then did she notice the girl's eyes were soaked with tears.
Through her velvet glove, Mina gently wiped the tears from Cai Ying's cheeks. Her movements were so careful...So gentle... That Cai Ying's cheeks immediately turned red. The girl could only whisper,
"Mina... Duyen... everyone... I'm truly sorry..."
Mina simply gave a small nod while continuing to gently wipe Cai Ying's face. Even after there were no tears left to wipe away—Her hand remained resting against Cai Ying's cheek.Then, without any warning—Mina pulled Cai Ying into her arms. Everyone stared in surprise. Including Cai Ying herself. Her face instantly became as red as a ripe tomato.
Meanwhile, Duyen and Shana watched the two of them as though they had expected this all along. Mina spoke softly.
"I understand... Duyen and I both forgive you... so don't worry that we hate you, alright?"
Hearing those words—Cai Ying could hardly believe them. She looked toward Duyen and Shana. The red-brown-haired fox smiled brightly and chuckled.
"I think you've been worrying far too much."
Duyen smiled warmly.
"...Welcome back, Cai Ying."
At those words—Every emotion inside Cai Ying finally burst free. She wrapped both arms tightly around Mina and cried her heart out. Her sobs echoed throughout the entire ballroom. Naomi and Linh also began crying from emotion. Dao let out a long sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Nayeon chuckled quietly as she poured herself a third glass of wine.
"...Seriously... Those three had me worried for nothing."
Before long, the party became lively again. In fact, it was even more spirited than before.
The girls gathered together once more, chatting about everything. Cai Ying was practically surrounded by her older sisters. With a shy smile, she showed everyone the engagement ring on her finger and happily announced that she had become engaged to her girlfriend. The two of them were planning to hold their wedding in Germany one year later.
Everyone was genuinely delighted to hear the news. And somehow...That announcement also ignited something deep inside Mina, Duyen, and Shana.
The three of them unconsciously looked at one another. They all burst into laughter together.
Then, as the musicians began playing a gentle ballad, everyone gradually lost themselves in the melody.
Nayeon and Yu danced together awkwardly, stumbling through each step. Meanwhile, Dao threw an arm around Naomi and Linh's shoulders, forcing the two of them to dance with her while loudly lamenting her miserable single life.
Wearing her blue dress, Duyen moved gracefully between Mina and Shana. One after another, they took turns holding her hand, guiding her through the dance to the music. Duyen could see the joy on their faces, and the sound of her own laughter was swallowed by the music.
Standing some distance away with her arms folded, Cai Ying watched them with a smile.
Suddenly, she felt something pressing against her back. Her entire body went rigid.
Perhaps Amuro was the only one who sensed that something was wrong. He had been leaning casually against the wall when he suddenly saw Cai Ying walking toward the center of the room...
...accompanied by someone whose face was completely hidden beneath a hood.
"What the hell is this...?" Amuro muttered.
Shana had been enjoying the dance when she suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Seeing that, Mina and Duyen stopped as well. Only then did they notice Cai Ying's face, completely drained of color with fear. Instantly, everyone hurriedly stepped back.
"Cai Ying!"
Duyen cried out anxiously and instinctively started rushing forward. But the person standing behind Cai Ying suddenly shouted,
"I HAVE A GUN! TAKE ONE MORE STEP AND I'LL SHOOT!"
Everyone froze at once. Dao quickly covered her mouth with one hand while the other trembled as she reached for her phone. The stranger noticed.
"...Try calling the police," she growled threateningly. Do you want to see your friend's corpse lying here?"
Hearing that, Dao immediately stopped. Fearful silence fell over everyone. At that moment, the entire Wang family's security force stormed into the ballroom, led by ten beautiful women dressed in black suits. Among them were Haru and Hasuko.
Amuro and Satoru's expressions immediately hardened. They were ready to rush in and complete their mission. But then they met Mina's eyes. She didn't want them to interfere.
Mina frowned at the mysterious figure.
"Eri... Why did you have to go this far?"
Everyone was stunned. It seemed Mina knew exactly who the person was. Nor did the stranger seem surprised. With one hand, she lowered her hood, revealing a beautiful face framed by long, flowing blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Everyone stared in shock.
None of them had expected the culprit to be such a delicate-looking, breathtakingly beautiful young woman.
Mina glanced down toward Cai Ying's waist, where Eri was pressing the gun against her. Even Eri's gun appeared to be nothing more than a 3D-printed firearm. Still...That didn't mean it couldn't kill someone.
Looking directly into Eri's eyes, Mina calmly said,
"It's obvious your grudge is with me. Then threaten me directly. Why drag someone else into this behind my back?"
Eri simply laughed.
"What? Meet you face to face?" she sneered. "Are you trying to make me laugh? Walk right up to you just to get myself killed? Do you have any idea how hard I've tried just to get close to you?"
Then Eri realized just how many eyes were fixed on her. She noticed Duyen's worried expression. Of course...There was no way Eri could forget that face. She had realized long ago that the person Mina truly loved... was Duyen.
She sighed.
"...Whatever. Standing here like this is already reckless enough. I only want to ask one question."
Mina nodded.
"Go ahead."
Her composure was unsettling.
"Good," Eri said. "Then tell me, Mina... Did you ever truly love Valko?"
Mina froze briefly. So did everyone else. It was the one question no one ever dared bring up in front of Mina. For many reasons.
Because of everything that had happened between the two of them. Because he had once been Mina's husband. Because he was dead.
Surely...
Mina must have felt something for Valko. Yet Mina simply shook her head.
"Not even once... I never loved him. Not even once."
Her answer could not have been any clearer. But Eri still couldn't accept it.
"Never...? Did you become so cold toward him because you knew he was cheating on you with me... and with your own sister?"
Another shocking revelation crashed down upon the room. Discussions immediately erupted everywhere. Everyone had already been horrified when the affair between Valko and Haruna was exposed. Afterward, both Valko and Haruna died one after another. Many people even whispered that Mina herself had been responsible.
Regardless... Bringing all of this up again in front of her had to be painful. And now another woman had appeared, claiming to have been Valko's lover.
Just what kind of tangled mess was this?
Duyen looked around worriedly as people began whispering among themselves again before turning back toward Mina.
After hearing everything, Mina's expression remained unchanged. It was impossible to tell whether she was suppressing her emotions. She simply replied, emphasizing every word,
"No. It wasn't because of you. And it wasn't because of my sister. I had known about his affairs long before that. I didn't stop loving him because he cheated...I stopped because I never loved him in the first place."
Mina emphasized the last words with unmistakable hatred.
"...Never."
"...Loved."
Then, just like that, the brief flicker of anger vanished as though it had never existed. Eri looked confused. Mina asked quietly,
"What about you? Why did you love Valko?"
"Me...?"
Eri looked flustered. So flustered that it seemed she might accidentally drop the gun at any moment. That was why both Amuro and Satoru subtly lowered their guard.
"You know I tried so hard to become you because of him. Do you know that because of you, he wouldn't even allow me to call myself by my own name? I had to live in your shadow."
Mina frowned. Of all things, this was what she hated hearing the most. Anger surged violently inside her. Duyen saw it clearly.
She quietly reached over and held one of Mina's hands. Mina suddenly came back to herself before speaking.
"Yes. I'm truly sorry that you had to live as though you were me. But I'm asking you. Why the hell did you love him? And now you're asking whether I loved him? Even after everything you've seen...After everything you know he did to me and to you?"
Eri's eyes widened. She fell silent. Mina delivered the final words.
"Or did you love him because of everything he promised? Because of a future he was never capable of giving you? Because if we're talking about the same man, then yes. He was exactly that kind of man. Eri...I'm truly sorry you had to suffer because of someone like him."
"You...You're apologizing... to me?"
Eri stood there in disbelief, her hands trembling. Even Cai Ying, who had been terrified moments ago with a gun pressed against her, now looked at Eri with sympathy.
In the end...All of them had become trapped in this tangled mess because of Valko. It seemed Eri had finally received the answer she had been searching for. Yet part of her still refused to let go.
"I wanted to ask him...Why did he turn me into this? I wanted to hear those words of apology from his own mouth. Not yours. But now...He's lying at the bottom of the sea."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"What the hell am I even doing...?"
Just then, police sirens echoed from outside. No one knew who had called them. They only caught sight of a blond-haired man standing quietly in the hallway, struggling to hold back his tears while his phone screen still glowed in his hand.
The police rushed inside as everyone watched in astonishment. Eri seemed to give up. She had never intended to hurt anyone. She quietly dropped the gun. At the same moment, Mina immediately pulled Cai Ying back to her side.
"Eri Barker! You're under arrest for illegal possession of a firearm and making criminal threats! You have the right to contact an attorney!"
"...I don't have a lawyer."
Eri murmured weakly as the tall officers restrained her arms behind her back and placed handcuffs on her wrists. Then Duyen stepped forward.
"Please... Please be gentle with her. She hasn't hurt anyone."
Before the officers led her away, Eri turned toward Mina one last time.
"Mina..."
"I still have one more gift for you..."