The ornate gate creaked open, revealing a sprawling mansion bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. Kai, his knuckles white against the worn leather of his duffel bag, felt a shiver crawl down his spine as the car drove inside. This wasn't the grimy underbelly of the city he was accustomed to; this was another world entirely. This is just... too bright for his liking.

Say whatever you want, but to Kai, these kinds of environments were just one of many rationales for the injustice of fate—people like Kai and his brother compared to these parts of the world. He's not willing, not even a breath—but they offer grants with one simple winning of a tournament, just like that, and they paid him fully.

Isn't it just another day with the rich? Kai had so much experience with that.

When the car stopped by the main entrance, he stepped out. "So, about that thing you were talking about earlier," he said, looking at the guy in the fancy suit who was already standing there. He looked pretty uncomfortable like he'd rather be anywhere else at this point. Kai scoffed internally. "I'll be staying here for a few days until this Clairmont guy finishes whatever it is he's doing with my data." After he said that, the man didn't answer him right away.

Rude.

"Mr. Clairmont will certainly contact you upon completion. In the interim, we have moved your brother to a better environment, so I trust you will conduct yourself appropriately during your stay, Mr. Rodman." The man finally spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument. He then turned and began to walk away, effectively issuing a silent order for Kai to follow. Kai stood there, utterly dumbfounded, clearly not believing what he just heard. This guy is clearly looking down on him; now you see just why he hates people like him so much.

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Kai began to walk, his long legs eating the distance between them as they entered the mansion. The grounds were immaculate, manicured lawns stretching towards a distant gazebo, reflecting the fiery hues of the sunset. A pair of stone lions flanked the entrance, their imposing presence a stark contrast to Kai's own rough-hewn appearance. He felt like an animal from the wild, thrust into the gilded cage of the elite.

Lines of descendants' family photos hung majestically on the wall, framed in gold and silver. Those faces wore the same hollow smile, an empty expression that contrasted with his shared childhood photo with his brother on his old desk. Kai may not realize it, but he did miss that moment—a sole regret for not being able to immortalize the moment more while it lasted.

The man before him finally stopped, Kai furrowing his eyebrows at the sudden shift in his demeanor. Just what is it now?

Before he can open his mouth to ask, the man turns to face him, the small lines of his grim features lightening ever so slightly. "I won't have much time to provide you with... companionship during your stay,"Of course you fucking won't."But don't worry about that. Miss will certainly fulfill that role." With that, he finally turned around to leave, his back composed, leaving Kai rooted to the spot in the vast, echoing living room. Stunned.

Miss what? Kai's eyebrows furrowed into a deeper frown when he suddenly heard another footstep at the top of the stairs.