The sharp knock on the door shattered the charged atmosphere between Lilith and Lu, and her expression twisted into one of irritation. With a huff, she slid off Lu's lap, adjusting her clothes with a practiced grace. The playful energy that had enveloped them evaporated, replaced by a sudden tension as Lu sat up, his heart pounding.
"Who is it?" Lilith called, her tone sharp yet controlled.
"It's me," came the calm, steady voice from the other side of the door.
Lilith's body stiffened at the sound. She shot Lu a warning glance, signaling him to remain silent before opening the door just wide enough to let her father enter.
He stepped inside, a tall man with graying hair dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. His presence was commanding, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth, suggesting a man accustomed to authority. As he entered, he assessed Lu with a clinical detachment, causing Lu to swallow hard, feeling the weight of scrutiny pressing down on him.
"Good evening, sir," Lu managed to say, his voice polite but his palms clammy in his lap.
Her father barely acknowledged him, his gaze fixing on Lilith. "Lilith," he began, his tone low and firm, "how many times are you going to bring boys up here?"
Lilith crossed her arms, an irritated expression crossing her face. "Father—"
"I'm serious," he interrupted, ignoring her tone. "This is your personal lounge, yes, but it's still part of my estate. I'm growing uncomfortable with the endless parade of boys you've brought in here."
Lilith's cheeks flushed, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment washing over her. "You don't need to bring that up right now," she snapped.
"Why not?" he shot back, his voice turning colder. "Let's review the list, shall we?" He turned to Lu, his voice laced with measured disdain. "There was the intern from the law firm, Simon from the yacht club, and Caleb, the son of the New York investor. Oh, and how could I forget Mark, who left crying after you—"
"Stop!" Lilith exploded, her face burning with a mix of anger and humiliation. "Stop it!"
Her father raised an eyebrow, unperturbed by her outburst. "Lilith, honey, don't yell at your father, especially when I'm speaking the truth."
"I have every right to yell!" she shot back, her hands clenched into fists. "You don't need to air my business to my friend!"
Lu squirmed in his seat, feeling like an intruder as her father's gaze shifted back to him, assessing him anew. But this time, the scrutiny held a hint of distant curiosity. "This one is different, however," he remarked, his tone softening slightly.
Lilith and Lu exchanged surprised glances. "Thank you, sir?" Lu said cautiously, uncertain of the underlying meaning.
Her father regarded him for a moment before turning his attention back to Lilith. "I have a business transaction to attend to downstairs. You need to come with me."
Lilith's eyes flashed with frustration, but she didn't argue.
"And you," her father said, now looking at Lu, "it's time for you to leave for the night. I'll be waiting outside. Thank you for coming to Neon Nest."
Without waiting for a response, he exited the room, closing the door softly behind him, leaving Lu and Lilith enveloped in an awkward silence.
Lu exhaled, the tension easing slightly now that her father was gone. He glanced at Lilith, still processing the bizarre encounter. "How many guys do you bring up here, anyway?" he asked, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
