Nathan sat quietly at the table, eating his dinner without a word. The girls entered from the kitchen, their laughter dying as they caught sight of him.Catty made a move toward him, but Cinthia grabbed her wrist and shook her head firmly.
Monica approached Nathan and wrapped her arms tightly around him."I'm fine, kiddo…" Nathan murmured, forcing a smile.
"I'm sorry this is happening to you," Monica said softly.
"Will you join me?" Nathan asked, looking up.
Monica hesitated, her eyes darting to the entrance.
"Are you expecting someone?" Nathan asked, noticing her glances.
"We're having a dinner party," Monica said, smiling faintly. "And my special friend is coming."
Nathan chuckled dryly. "Special friend? Not an ugly folk, I hope?"
Monica smirked. "Nope. You'll like her."
From the corner, Catty's guests—Jonas and Sara—felt ignored but tried to remain polite.
"Mr. Shikongo, I'm Sara, Catty's guest," Sara said warmly.
"Oh—God, I'm so sorry. I'm a little off balance tonight. I didn't even see you there," Nathan said apologetically.
"I know how you feel," Jonas said gently.
"…And you are?" Nathan asked.
"Jonas, Catty's father" he replied.
"Catty never tells me anything about you two," Nathan said, glancing toward her. Catty's eyes lit up with quiet hope.
"He's being friendly with my parents," Catty whispered to Cinthia.
"That's just him trying to take his mind off the accident," Cinthia replied dryly.
"Come on, Cinthy. Give me some hope. Maybe my surprise still stands a chance," Catty said softly.
"That's because she doesn't know much about us," Jonas added, overhearing part of their exchange.
"Hm. Fair enough," Nathan said as he stood. "I'm going to my room. Goodnight."
"Oh, I was hoping you could wait for the dinner climax," Jonas said hopefully.
"We know you called off the engagement," Sara added, "but we just want to reconnect — maybe you and Catherine can work things out."
"Ma'am, I just lost a two-million-dollar Ferrari I picked up from the garage today," Nathan said tiredly. "Can I take a pause?"
"Yeah, of course," Catherine said softly, disappointment crossing her face.
Meanwhile, across town, Kyle and Karen arrived at their apartment — only to find The Boss standing at their door.Kyle instinctively pulled Karen behind him.
"The police are looking for you," Karen said boldly. "If you kill us, you'll never get away with it."
"Go ahead," Kyle added. "Our security system will alert the police in seconds. And I know you're not ready for that, not while Project Factory is still active."
The Boss smirked under his mask and held up a photo of Kyle's mother.
Kyle froze. "What… what are you going to do?"
"If you ever open your mouth about me — even to your useless girlfriend — I'll kill her," The Boss said coldly, before turning and walking away.
Karen immediately hugged a trembling Kyle.
Back at the Shikongo mansion, Nathan went straight to his room.Catherine waited there, angry and hopeful all at once. But her expression fell when Nathan walked past her — straight into his private music studio.
"God," she whispered bitterly, "he won't even see the surprise. And now my parents have to leave."
She walked back to the living room.
"I think we should go," Jonas said. "Tell Catty we'll talk tomorrow."
Sara hesitated, glancing toward Monica.
"I actually invited their organizer for dinner," Monica said. "Maybe you can join her and tell her about the cancellation."
"Yes, that's a good idea," Sara said quickly.
Elsewhere in the house, Ruben and Kuku Veronica spoke quietly.
"Do you think this could be the same enemy from twenty years ago?" Kuku asked hesitantly. "No offense…"
"No," Ruben said. "They're not the same. I confronted them myself. I just don't know, Grandma — but I'll find out."
"Why are they after Nathan? I don't think he's ever stepped on anyone's toes," Kuku said worriedly.
"He's a businessman," Ruben explained. "Deals, contracts, jealousy — enemies are made everywhere."
"…And about AID? Did you set it up?" Kuku asked.
"Yes. I already installed it into his bracelet," Ruben replied.
"That's good. I just need my son safe — away from all this. He's already dealing with pyrophobia, and it weakens him even when he tries to stay strong," Kuku said.
"I'll do my best to keep him safe," Ruben promised.
At the table, Jonas sighed heavily. "Why do you want to stay here?"
"I want you to get your daughter back," Sara said.
"Not today," Jonas muttered. "Everyone's ignoring us — it's like we aren't even guests."
"Catherine lives with them," Sara said. "And the way she called me your mistress in front of them, along with her attitude toward Nathan — it all needs to be corrected."
Catty approached just then, teary-eyed. "I'm so sorry, Father…"
"It's alright, you don't need to say anything," Jonas said gently.
"Can you please talk to Nate for me?" Catty pleaded. "I made a mistake, and I truly love him."
"Catty, we just met Nathan today," Sara said. "We can't even stand up for ourselves in front of him."
"I was talking to my father," Catty snapped.
"Baby…" Jonas stammered, unsure.
"Dad, please. If you do, I'll forgive you. I won't bring anything up again. I really need this," Catty said desperately.
"Jonas didn't do anything—" Sara began, but the doorbell rang sharply.
Monica hurried toward the entrance after setting the table. "I'll get that!" she said.
She opened the door — and froze.
Standing there was Vicky, holding a gift box, with little Emily beside her.
"Evening, Monica," Vicky said politely.
Monica blinked. "You… you brought back the gift?"
"Victoria! Oh my goodness, you came!" Kuku exclaimed, rushing to hug her.
"Good evening, Kuku," Vicky said, smiling softly.
"Oh, I can't believe this," Catty muttered under her breath, watching from the hallway.
"Is that your planner?" Jonas asked quietly.
Catty sighed and left for the kitchen, visibly upset.
Monica's smile faltered slightly — the way she glanced at the gift box hinted at something more.
"Evening, Grandma. I'm Emilia," Emily said sweetly.
"How are you, Emilia?" Kuku asked warmly.
"I'm doing well. Your house is so nice!"
"Is it? Well, it's as lovely as you are," Kuku said, patting her shoulder.
Outside the mansion, Evan waited by the gate until Ruben came out to meet him.
"Why did you call me here?" Ruben asked.
"What's this?" Evan demanded, holding up a small syringe case.
Ruben's eyes widened. "Is that—? Why do you have it?"
Evan chuckled darkly. "So you don't know? Maybe your friends do."
"What are you talking about?" Ruben asked, frowning.
"I found this memory serum in Vicky's jacket," Evan said coldly.
"What?" Ruben's voice hardened in shock.
"So, you didn't know?" Evan pressed.
"No. How did she even get it?"
"You guys didn't give it to her or plant it there? Because I'm sure she hasn't seen it yet," Evan said.
"No," Ruben replied. "Evan, we got AID back — we're off your sister, okay?"
Evan glared at him, still unconvinced.
Back inside, Jonas froze the moment he saw Vicky. She pretended not to notice, masking her expression perfectly.
"Paige?" Jonas whispered under his breath.
"Evening, everyone. I'm Victoria," Vicky said smoothly.
"Oh my God… Paige," Jonas murmured, standing as if to hug her.
Vicky's eyes flicked sharply — she clenched her teeth and smiled tightly. "Do I know you?" she asked, her voice polite but cold.
"I'm Jonas… your—" He stopped, catching the warning in her eyes.
"Do you know her?" Kuku asked curiously.
"Yes," Jonas said quickly. "She organized one of my business parties once. She's very good."
The room fell into uneasy silence.
In the kitchen, Catty sat slumped at the counter, her head bowed, tears slipping down her cheeks. Emily entered quietly and tapped her shoulder.Catty jumped, startled — for a second, she thought it was Paige, and her heart clenched.
"Are you crying?" Emily asked innocently.
"No, no. Why are you still a child?" Catty asked, forcing a laugh as she wiped her face.
"I'm Emily, and I'm thirsty," Emily said, her tone serious.
Catty blinked, realizing this wasn't imagination — this was real.
"What? How are you here?" Catty asked.
"I came with my sister," Emily said. "Can I have some water, please?"
"Yeah, of course." Catty poured her a glass. "You really look like someone I know."
"Is that why you were crying?" Emily asked curiously.
"No. I was cooking and an onion got in my eyes," Catty said with a forced smile.
After taking a sip, Emily looked at the tablet on the counter. "Are you trying to make koeksisters?"
"Yes," Catty sighed. "But they're not coming out right."
"Can I help?" Emily asked eagerly.
"Um… no, I'm good."
"Is it because I'm a child?" Emily pressed.
Catty froze — it was the same phrase Paige had once used. She sighed. "No… okay. Give it a try."
The two began cooking together, and Catty found herself staring at the little girl, shaking her head as if seeing a ghost.
"Dinner's ready, everyone!" Monica called out.
Adam entered just then, loosening his tie.
"Dad, where have you been?" Monica asked.
"Out. Business deals — the hotels are slipping," Adam said tiredly.
"Alright then. Let's have dinner… I'll go get Nate," Monica said.
"He doesn't want dinner," Cinthia said quietly.
"So Nate's car really exploded?" Adam asked.
"He doesn't want to talk about that either," Cinthia replied.
"…And I want to talk about it," Adam said firmly.
"Yes, and the police are handling it," Kuku said. "He's really traumatized — and his pyrophobia has gotten worse."
Just then, Evan entered with Ruben.
Vicky stood and introduced him to the family.
Evan's eyes locked on Jonas — and fury rose in him.
"What are you doing here?" Evan demanded.
Jonas was about to speak, but Sara quickly placed a hand over his.
"He's a family friend," Vicky said calmly.
The tension in the room thickened like smoke.