Time passed, and it was once again time to start filming.

As usual, everyone was preparing for the second episode. From the overall atmosphere, it seemed things would go smoothly—at least, the place was calm.

Despite that, Hector sat alone, his mood visibly sour. Dressed in a brown suit, his undeniable handsomeness was overshadowed by the anger clouding his face, making it difficult for anyone to approach him or even steal a glance in his direction.

Meanwhile, Sid and Lynn, as always, were glued to each other.

Lynn wore a long-sleeved sky-blue dress, her golden hair cascading down her back to better frame her delicate features. Sid, on the other hand, sported a classic black suit with a red tie—an outfit that gave him a refined yet moderate charm, his height only adding to his composed presence.

And Aurora…

She had yet to appear.

Baron stood at a distance, waiting for her, keeping himself out of Hector’s line of sight.

Because this time, Hector was beginning to suspect something about Aurora.

As if Aurora was deliberately taking her time, savoring the act itself—perhaps as a small act of defiance, a way to soothe the sting of what Hector had done before.

And yet, even as she prepared herself, flashes of Hector’s piercing gaze flickered through her memory, quickening the rhythm of her heartbeat for reasons she couldn't quite grasp.

She had chosen black—her favorite color.

A long black dress with a daring front slit, sleeveless, its deep shade absorbing the light. Paired with sleek black heels and bold crimson lipstick that stood in stark contrast against her porcelain skin, her blue eyes gleamed with an almost dangerous allure.

As Aurora stepped out of the dressing room and into the filming set, all eyes turned to her.

Baron quickly averted his gaze, fixing it to the ground the moment she passed by, while Aurora moved forward, heading straight for her designated seat—unbothered, unamused, and entirely indifferent to the presence of anyone around her.

An air of arrogance surrounded her, but so did a thorny aura, sharp and unapproachable.

With unwavering confidence, she strode forward, passing directly in front of Hector. His eyes followed her, tracing every step she took from the moment she entered to the moment she sat down.

Not once did he blink.

Aurora spoke, her voice sharp with irritation, “Baron, everyone’s eyes are above.”

A wave of confusion swept through the crowd, yet Hector remained still, his gaze fixed on her, mind racing. "Her? No... it can't be her... can it?"

Baron hesitated, his body trembling. He knew all too well—she despised being stared at while she walked past someone. She had grown accustomed to being the highest, the one whose gaze no one dared to surpass. She had always been the pinnacle. And everyone here needed to remember their place.

Her voice cut through the air once more, sharper this time. “Baron.”

She crossed one leg over the other, exuding an effortless dominance. “I’m speaking to you. Everyone’s eyes are above.”

Baron exhaled, his expression shifting instantly. The trembling was gone, replaced by a cold, merciless facade. “Didn’t you hear her? Keep your eyes down...!!”

The room fell into an awkward stillness, unease creeping through the air. Murmurs of confusion rippled among them—what was happening? What were they even talking about?

Aurora, bored by the mere presence of these people, decided to clean up before leaving. And by cleaning up, she meant playing by her own rules, directly and unapologetically.

Hector, still seated in the center of the room, hadn't moved an inch. His sharp gaze was locked onto her, unwavering, unreadable.

Laughter erupted—someone, amused by Baron’s words, let out a hearty laugh. But before his eyes could flutter shut in another breath, his body collapsed to the ground with a sickening crack. Baron had snapped his neck in an instant, his movements swift, precise, and effortless.

Adjusting his clothes with practiced ease, he rolled his shoulders, the sound of joints popping faint in the heavy silence.

Aurora, unfazed, continued staring at her fingertips.

Baron’s voice cut through the weight of the moment once more. “Didn’t you hear?”

A collective shudder ran through the crowd. One by one, they averted their eyes, heads lowering in submission—all except Hector.

A slow, dark chuckle escaped him before it grew into a full, unrestrained laugh. His piercing gaze met Aurora’s as he leaned forward ever so slightly.

“Is this... some kind of performance?”

Once again, Aurora adjusted her posture, tilting her head back with an exaggerated sigh, signaling her growing boredom. "Ahh… hmm…" she exhaled lazily before shifting her gaze to Hector. Her eyes, dark and razor-sharp, locked onto him as she asked, "So… how will you pay?"

Hector was still laughing. Something about the absurdity of his own doubt amused him. How could he have even questioned it? Of course, it was her. Who else would dare meet his gaze so boldly, unwaveringly, without ever lowering their eyes? Aurora Al Batris.

A deep, unrestrained laugh escaped him as he stretched his legs, carelessly throwing himself back against his chair. He laughed like a fool, his voice filling the room where no one else dared to speak. Even Lynn and Sid, who usually clung to each other, now held hands tighter, staring at the ground. The others whispered amongst themselves, barely audible—

"What the hell is this madness?"

Baron stepped forward confidently, taking his place behind Aurora like her unwavering right hand. Even he did not lift his gaze.

Hector’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. His posture shifted—he straightened his back, pushed himself off the chair, and leaned forward, fingers interlocked, elbows resting on his knees. His gaze, sharp and unforgiving, bore into Baron.

"So… it was him?"

Baron’s body stiffened for a fleeting moment. Silence hung thick in the air, suffocating. No one in the room understood what was unfolding before them.

Aurora chuckled—a rich, mocking laugh—as if she were toying with a petulant child. "You know," she mused, "I have a younger brother and a younger uncle."

She traced her tongue over her lower lip before finishing with a smirk, "And today… you will lick my shoe."

Hector remained still, his position unchanged, his gaze locked onto Baron. Then, slowly, he rose to his feet. He slid his hands into his pockets, his steps measured as he closed the distance between them.

Stopping just before Aurora, he leaned down slightly, placing a hand on the side of the couch, his face hovering close to hers. His eyes, unexpectedly soft yet laced with something far more dangerous, met hers.

"So… the daughter of Al Batris wants me to lick her shoe, huh?"

A shudder ran through the room. Everyone felt it. The fear. The weight of the moment.

Because everyone knew the infamous reputation of the daughter of the Al Batris family.

Her face had been a mystery.

But not anymore.