"Eden!" Cynthia cried, rushing forward to embrace her daughter the moment she stepped through the gate with Davin. She clung to her tightly, as if afraid she'd disappear again.
"I'm so sorry for what I did," Cynthia whispered, her voice trembling. "I know I shouldn't have kept everything from you. I just wanted to protect you." She pulled back slightly to search her daughter's face. "Are you still angry with me?"
Eden met her mother's eyes. "I'm… disappointed," she said softly. "But I'm not angry."
Cynthia's shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you, Eden." She kissed her daughter's cheek and hugged her once more.
"I'm not angry," Eden continued, "but that doesn't mean I can just accept everything right away. It's a lot to take in. I need time to process… all of this."
"Of course," Cynthia said gently. "Take all the time you need."
"Looks like we have a visitor," Paula murmured, frowning toward the gate.
All three turned to see Nancy approaching, her assistant trailing behind. The guards had already opened the gate for her. She wore a bright smile—the kind that meant trouble.
"Are we expecting her?" Paula asked under her breath, glancing at Cynthia.
Cynthia shook her head. "No. I didn't—"
"I'll continue installing the security cameras," Davin said quietly, sensing the tension.
"Thank you, Commander," Cynthia replied. Eden's eyes followed him for a moment as he disappeared inside.
"What are you doing here, Nancy?" Paula asked sharply as the woman approached. "You should be resting after what happened."
"Rest? Oh please." Nancy waved off the concern, beaming. "I'm far too excited! I just got confirmation—your daughter, Cynthia, she's going to be perfect for our next campaign!"
"What?" Cynthia blinked in confusion.
"Think about it," Nancy continued eagerly. "With your retirement, we're losing a major name. But her—" she gestured dramatically to Eden, "—her face, her poise… she's younger, fresh, mysterious. The public will love her. She'll be the new face of the company!"
"No." Paula's voice cut through Nancy's enthusiasm like a blade. "Who do you think you are, making decisions about her life?"
Nancy's smile faltered, but only slightly. "Oh come now, Paula. I assumed you wouldn't mind. You didn't object to my other choices before, did you, Cynthia?"
Cynthia's expression hardened. For a moment, silence filled the air, thick and tense.
"Personally, I think you're going overboard," Cynthia said evenly, though her tone carried a hint of irritation. "But it will still depend on what Eden wants." She turned to her daughter, her expression softening. "With everything that's happened, it's your choice, sweetheart. You decide what you want to do."
"I don't think it's safe for her," Paula interjected firmly. "You don't have to agree with Nancy's idea, Cynthia."
Nancy's eyes darted between the two women, clearly lost in the sudden shift of tone. "It's just a simple photoshoot!" she insisted. "She'd be perfect for the concept. Her face practically is the concept."
Paula narrowed her eyes. "And what concept are we talking about exactly?"
Nancy's lips curled into a bright, rehearsed smile. "Royalty," she announced proudly. "The Kingdom Hotel is opening a new international branch, and they're looking for a fresh face to represent their brand. A modern-day princess. Don't you see? It's perfect!"
"Absolutely not," Cynthia and Paula said in unison.
"What? Why not?" Nancy looked genuinely shocked. "Just think about it! Your daughter could be the new face of the Herald Agency—the new Princess of Kingdom! This could be huge for her!"
"It's not a good idea," Cynthia replied, her voice calm but resolute.
"Please, at least reconsider." Nancy turned toward Eden, her tone softening. "You have the kind of beauty they're looking for. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Eden stayed silent, her hands tightening in her lap. She understood perfectly why her mother and Paula were against it. Kingdom was internationally known—if her image went public, it would only be a matter of time before someone recognized her father's eyes, her mother's smile. Her secret wouldn't stay hidden for long.
"We'll talk about it," Cynthia said finally.
"Good." Nancy smiled, triumphant. "Just think it over. The meeting with the Kingdom's head of Marketing is tomorrow morning." She slipped a folded paper into Cynthia's hand.
Paula let out a disbelieving laugh. "You really don't give up, do you?"
"I handle talent," Nancy replied, unfazed. "And I see a star when I meet one. You know how Kingdom operates—they only want the best. And I truly believe she's the best. It would be a waste to let this chance slip by."
"Whatever you say," Paula muttered, crossing her arms.
"Let me help you," Eden said, crouching beside an elderly woman outside the grocery store. The woman's shopping bag had burst when a man brushed past her in a hurry, sending apples and oranges rolling across the pavement.
The man paused just long enough to glance back before continuing inside, leaving the old woman struggling to pick up her things. Dozens of eyes watched from the storefront, but no one moved.
"Thank you, child," the woman said with a weary smile as Eden helped gather the last of the fruit. She froze for a moment, studying the young woman's face as if she'd seen her somewhere before.
A sudden shout cut through the air. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Eden turned toward the voice. Not far from them, a young woman was locked in a heated argument with a man. Behind the man stood another woman—tall, striking, and coldly silent.
"I told you she's not fit for the job! Why can't you understand—" the young woman's voice faltered as the man grabbed her by the collar, shaking her.
"Ashmaria!" gasped the old woman beside Eden. She dropped her groceries again, recognizing the girl. Without hesitation, she hurried toward them.
"Wait—ma'am!" Eden called, but the woman didn't stop. Torn between helping the old woman and gathering the scattered groceries again, Eden quickly scooped up what she could before following.
"Young man," the elderly woman said calmly as she approached the quarrel. "I don't think this is the right place for such behavior. Let her go." She reached out, lightly touching his arm.
The man's eyes flashed. "Who are you—and why are you meddling?" He shoved her hard. The woman fell backward onto the pavement with a gasp.
"Ma!" The young woman screamed, rushing to her side.
"Hey, jerk! Don't you have any manners?!" Eden snapped, shoving the man away before kneeling beside the older woman.
A nearby security guard started toward them, but the man turned sharply and barked something under his breath—sharp, commanding. The guard froze in place, uncertainty flickering across his face.
Eden's heart pounded. The tension in the air felt wrong—too controlled, too dangerous. Whoever that man was, he wasn't just another random stranger.