Chapter 36: Family affairs
The mansion's front doors opened with a soft click, and Yeri stepped into the marbled foyer, her heels echoing faintly against the pristine floor. The faint scent of roses clung to her coat—courtesy of Shin's bouquet—but it was quickly overpowered by hints of sandalwood and lavender drifting from deeper within the house.
All the lights were on.
She blinked. That was odd.
Usually, the house welcomed her with silence. Her mother preferred a minimalist, serene atmosphere—no glaring lights, no background chatter, and definitely no unexpected visitors.
So the sound of laughter from the sitting room immediately set off alarm bells in her mind.
"My princess!" her mother's delighted voice called just as Yeri rounded the corner.
And there it was—the source of her unease.
On the pristine cream sofa, lounging as if it were their ancestral throne, sat Aunt Linda and her daughter, Venice. Yeri halted mid-step. A headache bloomed behind her eyes.
Great.
"Oh darling, you're back!" Madam Zhi swept over with open arms and a warm smile, her elegant bun perfectly intact despite the enthusiasm.
"Hi, Mom," Yeri greeted, returning the hug, though her eyes flicked warily toward the couch.