Charles was speechless. Andrew was merely a plaything for the drunken Yvette. Samantha rose and went to the window. Charles glanced over, thinking, Samantha's only pretending to be unconcerned. After all, Andrew is her little brother.

But Charles was stunned when Samantha, chin in hand, addressed Jeremiah, gazing at Andrew bound to a post in the yard. "Mr. Chavez, don't you think Yvette is being too kind to the brat? That model from last time was dreadful compared to him. Yvette is such a kind girl."

Jeremiah lowered his coffee cup, leaning back on the sofa with legs crossed, and nodded slightly. "Yvette has always been kind."

Shocked, Charles thought, What are they talking about? Even I, a devoted fan of Yvette, find this unbelievable. Kind? Yvette? Isn't she the head of the Seventy-Two Chambers, infamous for her cruelty throughout Mysonna's underworld? I must have misheard.

In the yard, Andrew excitedly traced circles in the dirt with his foot, having spotted Samantha at the window. He would have used his hands, had they not been bound. Mentally and physically exhausted, Andrew never imagined his hard-fought opportunity would end like this. Not only were his dreams shattered, but his life might end here.

He knew Yvette was drunk, but wondered, How did she get drunk so easily? Didn't she claim to be a heavy drinker? And why is she so frightening when drunk?

Samantha, noticing his distress signal, waved at Andrew and returned to the couch, sighing as she sat. "Mr. Chavez, if I were a man, I'd compete with you for Yvette."

Jeremiah glanced at Samantha and said casually, "Sorry. You missed your chance."

Undeterred, Samantha thought, So what? I could at least be sisters with Yvette.

Charles quietly sipped his coffee, thinking, I pray for you, Andrew. But there's nothing I can do. Besides, I don't want to attract attention. He then joined their conversation, completely forgetting Andrew.

The next day at eight o'clock, Yvette awoke, finding her space empty except for a faint scent of mint. She washed, chose a simple tracksuit, and went downstairs, where Samantha, Andrew, and Charles awaited with a lavish breakfast spread.

Yvette sat down, but Andrew sprang up, exclaiming, "Andrew reporting for duty! Your orders, Madam!"

Samantha and Charles struggled to suppress their laughter at Andrew's expression. Yvette paused, her eyes a mixture of confusion and curiosity. She glanced at the saluting Andrew, thinking, Why does his face look like that? Then she looked at Charles and Samantha, both stifling laughter. Finally, Yvette asked, her eyes innocent, "What's your deal? Didn't you sleep well?"

Andrew thought, What? Those black circles are bruises from her punches! My body aches even now. If it weren't for Charles applying medicine, I wouldn't have gotten up. I remember last night's torment—the forced poetry recitation, the trivia quiz: "Why does your mom say you should 'learn to live on air' if you idle around?" Answer: "Because the air can starve you to death." What kind of questions were those? And if I answered wrong, out came the stick! Now she's forgotten? I must be the most miserable person alive.

Cautiously, Andrew asked, "Yvette, have you forgotten everything that happened last night?"

Yvette sipped her orange juice, her voice cool and serious. "I had two glasses of red wine, and after that… I can't remember."

Andrew gave her a pitiful look, gritting his teeth. "Yvette, you're an amazing drinker, but don't drink next time." Or maybe pick someone else next time, he thought, slumping back, a catchy tune stuck in his head: Let it go…

Seeing Andrew's bruises, Yvette pressed her lips together, thinking, Did I do this to him? She looked at Samantha and Charles. "Was it me?"

Andrew looked at them with eager anticipation, Please tell her the truth!

Samantha smiled brightly and shook her head. "No, it wasn't you. How could you hit Andrew? He fell on his own."

Yvette turned to Charles. "Is it true?"

Charles nodded solemnly. "Yes, Yve."

Andrew silently glared at Samantha and Charles, thinking, Liars! Where's the justice?

Jeremiah emerged from the kitchen, placing a plate of pierogies before Yvette. "Beef and radish. Try them!"

Yvette took a bite and said casually to Andrew, "Be careful next time."

Andrew, swallowing back tears, replied, "I will, Yvette."

Jeremiah sat beside Yvette. Samantha looked at her sandwich, then at Yvette's steaming pierogies. Her sandwich suddenly seemed unappetizing. That biased man, she thought, glancing at the TV, remembering the Ybaulla delegation's arrival in Clusia.

Samantha asked, "Mr. Chavez, is the Ybaulla delegation arriving this afternoon? Are they still staying for a week?"

Jeremiah sipped his coffee. "They're arriving at three and staying for ten days."

Samantha was concerned; many of her businesses were involved. She sneered, "Mr. Chavez, do they have another purpose?"

Jeremiah replied, "The delegation includes two additional members, Kaiden Harper and Robin Jenkins."

At the names, Charles's fork slipped from his hand, clattering onto the table. All eyes turned to him. He calmly picked up the fork, nodding apologetically. "Sorry. Please continue."