His mother sat gracefully in her usual armchair, a calm smile masking the sharpness in her gaze. His father remained standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back, silent but present—a mountain of expectations.

"I heard you went to see the girl," his mother began lightly, swirling her tea. "Elara Voss, isn’t it? Quite brave of her to save you back then. But really, Cassian, you’re letting this childish past cloud your judgment."

Cassian's jaw tightened. "You had no right to visit her. You crossed the line."

His mother sighed. "We only wanted to thank her properly... and warn her. A girl like that shouldn’t misunderstand your kindness. You have responsibilities, Cassian."

"I never asked you to interfere," he shot back. "And I told you before—I’ll choose my own life. My career, my future. Including her."

His father spoke for the first time, voice firm. "The Langley arrangement still stands. Vivienne is a proper match—"

"I don’t want Vivienne. I’ve made that clear years ago," Cassian cut in. "Stop using her as leverage."

His mother set her cup down softly. "You are the heir. You cannot abandon this family’s legacy for some... infatuation."

Cassian smiled coldly. "Watch me."

---

Meanwhile, at the agency, gossip buzzed like static electricity.

Selena Park stood by the hallway corner, perfectly still as she caught snippets of conversation between Cassian and his manager.

"I warned them to leave her alone. What I do outside work is none of their business," Cassian said, his voice low but fierce.

Selena's breath hitched.

Elara? Serious?

The pieces fell into place. His sudden disappearances. His distant attitude. The secret visit to that unknown apartment building. And now this?

Jealousy flared sharp and hot in her chest. Cassian—her Cassian—was serious about a girl no one knew?

She slipped away silently, heart pounding, mind racing.

Who is this Elara Voss? What hold does she have on him?

A plan began to form.

Selena tapped her manicured nail against her phone thoughtfully. Should she call in a favor from the agency’s scheduling team to find out more? Or simply confront the girl herself?

No... seeing her with my own eyes would be more satisfying, she decided, smirking slightly. If Cassian thought he could hide such an attachment, he was sorely mistaken.

Her plan was clear now. With the name "Elara Voss" firmly in mind, she would use her own wealth and private connections to track the girl down. No one would stop her from seeing the threat for herself.

---

Back at the Rhys estate, Cassian straightened his coat, done with empty arguments.

"This ends now. I’m choosing for myself. And I’ll make sure you don’t interfere again."

His parents exchanged glances but said nothing. Cassian turned on his heel, storming out.

The time for hiding was over.

And he had no idea that another storm—one named Selena—was quietly brewing behind him.