After Al's three sisters left one by one with their own excuses, the atmosphere in the living room became awkwardly silent. Al's mother, Sandra, spoke with a gentle voice, though it carried a sense of duty.
"David, please take Al to his room. He needs to rest after the long journey."
Her eyes looked at Al with hope, but there was also hidden concern.
David nodded slowly, then stood up and glanced at Al with a cold gaze that was hard to hide. Al rose with a relaxed posture, showing no sign of unease. He followed David out of the living room, leaving their mother and the rest of the family in silence.
The Virellano main house was truly magnificent, standing tall with five floors and a basement. Its architecture blended classical and modern styles, with unique touches that made every corner feel elegant yet mysterious. However, when David led Al to the most remote corner of the first floor, the atmosphere changed drastically.
David opened a small door hidden behind a large bookshelf in the corridor, revealing a room about two by three meters in size. The room was empty, containing only a small bed with a thin mattress.
Dust had gathered in the corners, and signs of long disuse were faintly visible. It was a former maid's room that hadn't been used in ten years; the door itself was rarely opened.
"You can rest here for now," David said in a cold tone, trying to sound neutral. "Your real room isn't ready yet. Still needs some tidying. So just sleep here for now. After dinner, I'll take you to your proper room."
He flashed a sly smile that only a sharp eye could catch.
Al was initially confused about why he had been brought to such a place, but after David's explanation, he merely nodded. Al looked around the small room with a blank expression. Without saying a word, he dropped his backpack onto a small chair in the corner and lay down on the bed.
"Hufft… finally, I can rest," Al muttered softly, closing his eyes, clearly indifferent.
David hadn't expected Al to remain calm. Al even went straight to sleep, which irritated him. In his mind, David began plotting a way to provoke Al, hoping for a reaction that he could use to damage Al's image in front of the family. But Al remained calm, completely unprovoked.
David let out a long sigh, closed the small room's door, and walked away, his plan forming more clearly in his mind. Meanwhile, Al was already deep in his dreams.
---
A Few Hours Later
A knock on the door woke Al from his deep sleep. He lazily opened his eyes and looked at the wall clock—it was already early evening. Reluctantly, he got up and opened the small room's door.
A middle-aged male servant stood nervously outside, his face flushed and anxious.
"Young Master Al, please come to the family room. There's something that needs to be explained," he said with a stammer.
Al frowned, still half-asleep, but sensed something was off. He followed the servant with a casual but alert stride.
Upon arriving at the family room, the atmosphere had shifted. People had gathered, their expressions mixed with curiosity and suspicion. In the center stood a young female servant, nervous but trying to appear firm.
Edward, the father, stood beside her, his face serious and voice firm as he began to speak.
"Al! Explain what you did!"
Then he turned to the young servant.
"You, tell us what happened with Al. We need to know the truth. Speak clearly!"
Al was confused, seeing his father angry.
The young servant took a deep breath, hesitant, but finally began her story.
"Actually, I was the one who escorted Young Master Al to the downstairs room earlier, because Young Master David was busy with other matters.
He said Al's room was being prepared and that he wanted to surprise him with the help of the sisters. So I was ordered to take Young Master Al to that room first."
Al, still not fully awake from sleep, just stared silently at the servant, trying to listen.
"But along the way, Young Master Al suddenly got very angry because he was brought to a room he said was dirty and cramped. He even hit me and... um... that's all, Sir."
She added seriously, holding back as if reluctant to say more.
Edward stared sharply at the young servant.
"You're not telling everything, are you? Just say it all. Don't hold back."
The servant hesitated for a moment, then finally admitted in a low voice,
"He... also tried to flirt and... touch me. Even though I know it was inappropriate. I didn't want to say this, but I was told to, so everything is clear."
The room fell into silence.
Al, still unsatisfied from his nap, looked calm, remained quiet, watching everyone's reaction, confused by the accusation.
Wasn't it David who took me there? he thought.
David stood in the corner, a thin smile forming on his lips, satisfied that his plan was working.
---
Tension Rises
The family room grew hotter as Sarah, dressed in a burgundy silk blouse radiating her confident aura, stepped forward with a scornful look toward Al.
"Look, Father," she said in a sharp, calm voice. "This boy has only been here one day and is already showing wild behavior. Arguing with a servant, acting aggressively, even harassing one. He's disturbing the peace. I don't think he understands ethics or manners. A wild child, indeed."
Edward, dressed in a neat dark suit, sat in a large chair, his face red with anger. His fists clenched on the wooden table, showing his barely contained rage. He looked at Al with furious, disappointed eyes.
"Al, I told you, you must learn to be part of this family. We are an honorable household. Your wild behavior brings shame to our name. Don't think you can do as you please. You're only here because of blood. If you can't show respect, then you might as well leave this house right now."
Aurielle, the eldest sister, dressed in a beige blazer with neatly styled hair, leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze adding pressure on Al.
"Remember, Al. You were just an orphan sleeping in a crowded room. Even if you had to stay in the storage room, which isn't fit for a Virellano, you should be grateful. You were given your own space, and it's only temporary. Your room is being prepared. Many people out there don't even have that. Don't make this difficult with your rude behavior. In this house, you are not a king. You are a family member who must learn the rules and respect everyone here—even the servants."
Al stood in the center of the room, tall but relaxed, wearing a plain dark t-shirt and simple pants, far from the glamour of the Virellano family. He looked at everyone with a blank face, without excessive emotion. He tried to clarify that it was David who took him there, not the servant, while still showing respect.
"Alright," he replied briefly to his father, Sarah, and Aurielle. Then Al added, "But earlier...."
Edward's voice suddenly cut him off.
"Enough!" Edward shouted, his voice echoing through the room. "I don't want to hear excuses from a shameless wild child like you! Remember, the family won't cover up bad behavior! You must learn your place and how to act if you don't want to be a burden to this family."
Al took a deep breath, holding himself back from saying more. His black pearl eyes looked dim, but deep inside, a small ember of indifference still burned. He chose silence, because for him, even if he tried to explain, no one would listen. It would be a waste of energy.
David, who had been quietly sitting on the right side of the room, finally stood. He walked over to their mother, Sandra, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Mom," he said calmly. "I believe Dad will handle this fairly. Al can still learn."
After slightly calming his mother, David stepped forward, approaching Al, who stood expressionless and half-indifferent. David leaned casually against the edge of the sofa, like a wise older brother trying to understand his new sibling.
"Al," he said gently. "I know this is new to you. Everything feels strange. Maybe out there, you were free to do whatever with girls, but this house has rules. We have moral standards. If you really want to be accepted... you need to learn self-control. Respect others. We all went through this process. Even though I'm not their real son, this family taught me to respect women, to never be harsh, never to hit or behave inappropriately. There are many women in this house, including our sisters and our mother. I don't want you hurting anyone."
---
Hearing David's sweet words, Sarah, who stood not far from Edward, looked at him with admiration. She then turned to Al with a gaze full of accusation, comparing him to David.
"See, Father? That boy hasn't even spent a day in this house and he's already showing his wild side. Cursing at the staff, raising his hand, even... oh God..."
She took a dramatic breath, looking at Al as if he were trash.
"Compare that to David. Calm, wise, always respectful. He was raised with family values. But this one..." Sarah pointed at Al, "...came from who knows where and instantly caused trouble!"
Edward, who had been silently listening with a firm expression, finally stood. He slowly unbuttoned his jacket and looked at everyone.
"Huff... Since this is your first offense, Al," he said heavily, "I won't shame you any further. But this family has rules. And when those are broken, consequences must follow."
He then turned to a servant near the door.
"Prepare dinner. I'm going to take a shower and change."
Then he looked at Harun, who stood behind.
"Harun, call Dedy."
Harun, usually quick to act, paused for a fraction of a second. There was a slight hesitation in his eyes. But he immediately bowed and answered softly,
"Yes, Sir."