Later that night, when the mansion had finally gone quiet, Serina and Keifer went to Keizer's study together.
The soft lamp on his desk lit the tired lines on his face as he looked up.
"What is it?" Keizer asked gently. "You both look serious."
Serina crossed her arms slowly. "It's about Kia."
Keifer nodded. "Dad… something isn't right."
Keizer leaned back in his chair. "Tell me."
Serina spoke first, her voice calm but firm.
"She was rude to Jay today. Very rude. Out of jealousy. And not just once. I had to raise my voice in the kitchen to stop her."
Keizer's brows pulled together. "Rude… how?"
"She insulted her," Serina said quietly.
"As if Jay was stealing something from her. As if love in this house is a competition."
Keifer clenched his jaw.
"And it isn't only today, Dad. I've been noticing her behaviour since the moment she arrived. The way she talks… the way she watches people."
Keizer looked at him sharply. "Watching whom?"
Keifer hesitated for half a second.
"…Jay."
Serina turned to him slowly.
"What do you mean, Keifer?"
He lowered his voice.
"She keeps picking at Jay for no reason. Small remarks. Sharp tone. And today in the hallway… it felt intentional. Like she wanted to provoke her."
Keizer sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.
"She has been through a lot," he said.
"Sofia tried her best raising her alone. But that doesn't give her the right to hurt others."
Serina's voice softened—but her stand did not.
"I understand pain," she said.
"But I will not allow anyone to make my daughter feel unwanted in this house."
Keizer looked up immediately.
"Your daughter?" he repeated softly.
Serina nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. My daughter."
Keifer's chest tightened at those words.
Keizer stayed silent for a moment… then slowly smiled.
"You're right," he said.
"Jay is our family. No discussion."
Keifer stepped forward.
"Dad… I'm not accusing Kia of anything big.
But I don't like the direction this is going.
Jay always avoids conflict. She'll keep quiet even if it hurts her."
Serina nodded.
"That is exactly why I'm worried."
Keizer straightened in his chair, his voice becoming firm.
"I will speak to Sofia. Calmly. Respectfully.
Kia must understand the rules of this house."
He paused.
"This family survives because we protect each other.
Not because we compete for love."
Keifer finally relaxed a little.
"And… Dad," he added quietly,
"Please make sure Jay never feels like she's an outsider again."
Keizer stood up and placed a hand on Keifer's shoulder.
"She won't."
Then he looked at Serina.
"Not while we are here."
Serina gave a small, relieved smile.
"Good.
Because I won't stay silent if someone keeps hurting her."
In that quiet study, without Jay even knowing,
three people had already chosen to stand in front of her—
like a shield.