After All

The Man

The halls of Marino Estates were silent, the grand mansion echoing with the memories of its storied past. The portraits of generations of Marinos lined the walls, each one a reminder of the family's influence and the weight of the legacy that had been built through power, sacrifice, and, at times, violence.

Monica stood before the largest portrait of them all—her grandfather, Karl. His eyes seemed to follow her, even through the brushstrokes of the oil painting, radiating the same strength and intensity that he had always carried in life. He was a man who had built an empire, but with it came enemies, and today, the ghosts of that empire weighed heavily on Monica's mind.

She stared up at Karl's image, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to shield herself from the world outside. Anxiety gnawed at her, the events of the past few days swirling in her mind like a storm she couldn't control. Agatha Serrano had been killed, a violent, cold-blooded act carried out by her aunt Nozomi and Takako Fujimiya, the so-called Grand Doyenne of Asia. Agatha had been more than just a powerful figure—her death had sent ripples through the circles of power in Asia. And now, Monica knew the Serrano family would seek vengeance. Edward and his wife Helena were not the kind to let such a blow go unanswered.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Ryoma, her older brother, approached from behind, his face calm but filled with concern. He had always been able to sense when something was wrong with her, and tonight was no different.

"Monica," Ryoma said softly as he came to stand beside her, his gaze following hers to the portrait of their grandfather. "You've been standing here for a while. What's going on?"

Monica hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice low and tight with worry. "It's everything, Ryoma. Agatha's death, the Serranos... Edward and Helena, they'll come after us. And then there's Vanessa Castellano... she's still out there, lurking. Waiting for the right moment to strike. I can feel it."

Ryoma's expression hardened slightly at the mention of Vanessa's name. Vanessa Castellano had been a thorn in their side for years, always maneuvering in the shadows, exploiting weaknesses wherever she could find them. She was cunning and ruthless, and if she saw an opening in the wake of Agatha's death, she wouldn't hesitate to take it.

Ryoma placed a hand on his sister's shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "Monica, I know things seem chaotic right now, but we've been through worse. Edward and Helena might seek vengeance, but they won't succeed. They don't understand how strong this family is."

Monica turned to face him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if they do, Ryoma? What if this time, they find a way to break us? I've seen the way Helena operates. She's as ruthless as Edward, maybe even more so. And Vanessa... she's been playing this long game, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Ryoma met her gaze, his calm resolve never wavering. "We've faced enemies before—enemies just as powerful and just as determined to take us down. And we've survived every time because we stand together. This family isn't going to fall because of the Serranos or Vanessa."

Monica sighed, turning back to the portrait. "It just feels like there are too many forces at play this time. Nozomi and Takako... they took out Agatha, but now we're in the crosshairs. We're not just dealing with one enemy—we're dealing with several."

Ryoma's voice softened, his tone both gentle and reassuring. "I get it, Monica. I do. But remember who we are. Grandpa didn't build this family's legacy by being afraid of what might happen. He faced down his enemies and came out stronger every time. And so will we."