Miranda turns off the hair dryer. "Is someone speaking?" She can't hear clearly over the noise.
Leila switches hers off too, and three pairs of ears perk up.
Knock. Knock.
This time it's louder. "Mom! Are you in there? Dad said you are! I'm coming in!" a young woman's voice calls loudly from behind the door.
True to her words, the next second the door opens.
A head full of wavy red hair appears sideways, followed by a pair of very light brown almond-shaped eyes, full of mischief. Then a petite, beautiful nose, lips glistening with light pink gloss, and a delicate chin.
Theo is a bit startled by how cute this young woman is. She looks even younger than Thea, but her eyes—though playful—hold a glimmer of wisdom. Oh wow. She's very cute.
"Claudia!" Miranda exclaims. She clearly didn't expect to see her youngest here. "You're here too! Why didn't you tell Mom? We could've traveled together!"
"And miss the chance to surprise you? No way!" Claudia grins widely, her whole face alive with joy. She looks like someone who never stops smiling.
Leila puts down her hairdryer. "Claudia! Oh my! You're already this big! Last time I saw you, you were only this tall!" She gestures to her knees.
Claudia's laugh rings like bells. "Aunt Leila! Come on! It's been eight years already! Now I'm eighteen! I'm not a child anymore. I can legally drink!" She pushes her chest forward proudly.
"What?! Drinking?! No! Never!" Miranda cuts her instantly.
"Mom! We've talked about this! You can't forbid me forever!" Claudia rolls her eyes dramatically, then winks at Theo.
Theo just sits there quietly, watching the back-and-forth between Miranda and Claudia like a tennis match. Eighteen?! She's eighteen?! She's older than Thea, but… she's so small!
Unconsciously, Theo stands up, wanting to confirm his suspicion that Claudia is shorter than Thea.
All three women notice, turning toward him at once.
"You're going somewhere?" Claudia asks, then bounces forward and shakes Theo's hand excitedly.
"You must be Theodora, Aunt Leila's youngest! Mom wasn't lying when she said you're gorgeous. Especially your hair!" She reaches out, touching Theo's long, soft white hair, then compares it with her own. "I wish mine could be straight and soft like yours."
Theo tilts his head slightly. He was right—Claudia's height only reaches his eyes. And Thea isn't tall herself, just average, around 165 cm.
Leila gasps. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Amidst everything that happened, I completely forgot to introduce Thea."
She clears her throat, gesturing as if preparing for a formal announcement. "Mrs. Monfort, Ms. Monfort. May I present to you my daughter, Theodora Montrose."
Miranda rolls her eyes and waves her hand. "It's too late for that. Besides, I met her once. True, she was… how old? Six? Or seven?"
"Seven," Leila answers.
"That's right!" Miranda gestures to both girls. "It's them who never met." She turns to Claudia and Theo. "Girls, meet each other. Claudia, Theodora. Theodora, Claudia. There, done. They're formally introduced."
She looks at Leila with a grin. "It's Liam I want to plan the proper introduction for. That way it'll have the best impact."
Claudia nods to Theo, and Theo returns the gesture.
"Alright! That's it! I'm adopting you as my little sister!" Claudia merrily links her arm with Theo's and tries to lead him out of the room.
Miranda stops her. "And where do you think you're taking her, young lady? Her hair is still wet." She pulls Theo back down and, without preamble, continues drying his hair.
Not to be outdone, Claudia gently pushes Leila into a chair, snatches the hairdryer from her hand, and starts drying her hair instead—shooting a playful scoff at her mother.
The room fills with their laughter.
-------------------------
Arthur is sitting at his table, reading a report about the Emeralis Forest fire. He has a video conference with Emeralians officials in about one hour. They have reached to him first by sending the detailed report of the fire.
Arthur tries to hide his smile. The Emeralian Government had expressed their wish to buy Montrose Aegis, before Arthur offered to donate the shield. It's a very good sign that Montrose Corporation might strike another massive deal.
Suddenly his eyebrows are taut. Arthur is slowing frowning. His father didn't make a mistake. The forest fire occurred at the exact same time as the purple flame in their lab. 22:49:34. Down to the last second.
He sighs and leans back on his chair. These two fires are definitely connected, but how and why?
He reaches his tablet and video calls Julian. "Julian," he says as Julian face appears right in front of him, in hologram.
"I have the detailed report of the forest fire in my hands." He lifts the report for Julian to see., not looking at him. "And like Dad had said, it started at the exact same time as our purple flame. Even to the second."
Silent on the other end.
Arthur turns to see his brother slightly. Julian is seen thinking. "I don't know what it means, Art. Do you really think they're connected?"
"Yes. But I don't know how. I want you –"
"Yeah. I know what you want." Julian cuts Arthur. He sighs. "I'll try to investigate what started our fire."
"So that it doesn't happen again, Julian." Arthur firmly says.
Julian looks offended. "Hey! Is there any other reason?"
Arthur stares at Julian's eyes, not saying anything. Julian avoid Arthur's eyes.
"Okay! I admit! I'm investigating the 'how' because I want to duplicate it. Art, think about it! If we can control the purple flame, then I can make a weapon that fires out purple flame and those pesky fire dragons won't be so dangerous anymore!"
Arthur looks annoyed. "That's not your problem. And we don't make weapons, Jules. We make shields!"
It's now Julian's turn to looks annoyed. "That's bullshit and you know it! What do you take me as? I'm not a Blackwood that's always thirsting to use weapons! I make weapons so you and your team don't get killed during the exploration!"
Julian looks really offended. Arthur sighs, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I know you're the reason why my team and I are safe."
Julian smiles slightly and nods, "And don't you forget it!"
Suddenly, something starts beeping at Julian's end. He frowns and goes to check. From the video call, Arthur can see him examining his computer.
Arthur pays no attention to Julian and continues reading the report.
"Impossible! Art! 100%!!" Julian shouts through the video call.
Arthur puts down the report for the second time and glances at Julian. "100% what, Jules?"
Julian is still standing in front of his computer, not once glancing back. "Art! Look!" His fingers fly across the keyboard. "I've sent it to you. Look at it! It's a 100%!"
Arthur opens the file Julian has just sent. His face shifts from disbelief to complete astonishment. He looks up at Julian, who is now staring back at him.
"Art, what number do you see? Tell me! I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"No, you're not," Arthur says slowly. "100% purity, Jules."
"I know!"
"It'll disturb the power balance. Whoever possesses this heartstone will rule us all," Arthur mutters to himself, then more clearly to Julian, "We need to find out who the owner is. Now, Jules!"
"You think I don't want to know?! I'm checking right now! The signal is weak and… wait! It's gone! Damn it! I didn't have enough time to trace it! Wait— it's back again. I need to…"
Julian stops talking, but his hands move even faster. "Damn it! It's gone!"
"Tell me you've got it, Jules," Arthur says impatiently.
Julian grins. "Of course I got it. I know where the signal's from. It's from… Montclair Pavilion?! That's where Mom and Thea are supposed to be shopping today!"