The next morning, the atmosphere around the Leight family dining table was filled with the warm aroma of toasted bread and a simple broth soup. Julian, Clarissa, Emma, Veronica, and Aya sat together with Randoff, Eliza, and Emma. They ate breakfast in an awkward silence lingering after yesterday’s meeting.
Eliza Leight, tried to break the ice. "Did you all sleep well?" she asked kindly.
Clarissa gave a small smile. "Yes, auntie. The bed was very comfortable."
Emma nodded in agreement, "I also slept very well... thank you for preparing the room."
Veronica simply nodded, sipping her coffee with a haughty air, while Aya answered nervously in a small voice, "Th-thank you... I also slept well."
Julian said little, only giving a slight nod.
After everyone responded, Randoff set his spoon down with a sharp clink, his gaze locking onto Aya with a serious look. "Aya, after breakfast, come with me. I need your help to prepare the hydroponic farming project. We start today."
Aya’s eyes widened in shock, her face turning pale. "Eh... I-I..."
Before she could finish, Julian fixed Randoff with a cold, sharp stare, his voice calm but icy. "Don’t order Aya around as you please."
Randoff returned his glare, eyes flashing with anger. "What do you mean speaking to me like that in my own home?"
Julian’s expression remained unfazed, his tone flat. "Aya belongs to me. Don’t order or force her to do anything."
Randoff’s face turned red with rage. "I’m asking her to help with the hydroponic project so this shelter can produce its own food. It’s for everyone, including you!"
Julian looked back at him emotionlessly. "I don’t care. I’m only here to keep my promise to Emma. I’m not interested in meddling in your affairs."
Randoff clenched his fists, his voice rising. "Don’t you care about the people suffering out there?! With your help, we could save more lives!"
Julian’s stare was like ice. "That’s not my concern. And I won’t interfere with anyone else’s rights, just as you shouldn’t interfere with ours."
Seeing the tension boil over, Emma hurriedly spoke up in a panicked tone, "Julian... I’m sorry..."
Randoff turned to Emma, his voice softening slightly but still edged with anger. "Don’t apologize, Emma. You did nothing wrong. The one at fault is him," he said, pointing at Julian, "for refusing to help even though he’s capable."
Julian’s cold eyes stayed locked on Randoff, his voice still like a blade. "We have our own path. And we won’t stay here for long. After this, I’ll search for Aya’s family."
Randoff slammed the table with a loud bang. "Unbelievable... you’re unbelievably selfish!"
The tension grew thicker, until Eliza, who had silently observed until now, finally spoke with a firm yet commanding voice. "That’s enough!" she snapped. The room fell instantly silent. Helena glared at Randoff with sharp eyes. "Don’t force them, Randoff. And Julian, please don’t provoke him further. We’re all exhausted, don’t make things worse."
Randoff fell silent, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his anger. He looked at each face at the table, then stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I’m leaving," he muttered through clenched teeth, then turned and stormed out of the room, leaving behind a heavy silence.
--------×--------
In the room, silence hung heavily over Julian’s group. Clarissa was the first to break it, her voice quiet but filled with worry. "Is it really okay for us to leave this shelter?"
Veronica, lounging casually on the side of the bed, replied firmly, "Julian is right. We have our own matters to take care of."
Aya looked conflicted, her eyes downcast as she fidgeted with her hands. "But... if I can help here, maybe... but I’m worried about my family..." her voice trembled.
Julian turned to her with a calm gaze, gently patting her head. "Follow your heart, Aya. Don’t let others dictate your choices."
Then everyone looked to Emma, who had been sitting silently with her head lowered. Julian met her eyes. "What about you, Emma? Will you stay with your family or come with us?"
Before Emma could answer, a hurried knock echoed from the door, accompanied by an anxious voice calling out, "Emma? Emma, are you inside?"
Julian stepped forward and slowly opened the door. Standing there was a handsome young man with long purple hair, his stylish leather jacket slightly dusty from travel. His eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Julian in the doorway. "Eh? Where’s Emma? Did you see her?"
Julian tilted his head slightly, his voice cold. "What business do you have with her?"
From inside the room, Emma recognized the voice and turned toward the door. "Eh... Chris?"
Julian glanced back at Emma. "An acquaintance?"
Emma sighed softly, her voice flat. "He... used to work with me when I was modeling."
Chris’s eyes lit up when he saw Emma. "Emma! I finally found you! I’ve been searching everywhere!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. But Emma’s only response was a cold, indifferent stare.
Chris’s gaze swept into the room, only then realizing the presence of Clarissa, Veronica, and Aya. His face darkened with anger. "What are you doing in a room with one man... and three other women? Did he force you all?!"
Emma let out an exasperated sigh, her voice icy. "That’s none of your business, Chris. Leave."
"Don’t be like that!" Chris snapped, pushing forward to enter the room, but Julian blocked his path with an outstretched arm. "What do you think you’re doing?" Julian asked, his tone flat.
"Move!" Chris shouted, swatting at Julian’s arm.
"You’re the one who needs to stay out," Julian replied coolly.
Chris’s face contorted with rage, their faces now only inches apart. "What’s your relationship with Emma?!"
"That’s none of your concern," Julian answered calmly.
Chris clenched his fists, purple-green energy seeping from his palms as he activated his skill. Before he could do anything else, a strong hand gripped his shoulder.
"Chris, don’t cause chaos in someone else’s house," came a deep, calm voice. Luke stood behind Chris, his face showing mild irritation.
Chris turned back, growling, "Luke! Don’t stop me!"
Luke sighed and looked apologetically at Julian. "I’m sorry, Julian. This is my fault, I told Chris about Emma."
Julian’s eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Make sure you leash this rabid dog before it starts barking again."
Chris’s eyes flared with anger. "What did you just say?!"
Luke massaged his temples and said tiredly, "If you two really want to settle this, just duel. It’s better than fighting in here."
Chris’s head snapped toward Luke, his eyes gleaming. "That’s a great idea! Hey, let’s duel one-on-one. If you lose, you stay away from Emma!"
Emma’s eyes widened in shock. "Stop it, Chris! I’m not a trophy!"
Luke hurriedly tried to interject. "That’s not what I—"
But Chris had already turned to Julian with a wide, sinister grin. "What’s wrong? Are you scared? I’ll crush you with my poison skill."
Julian, his eyes now intrigued, gave a cold smirk. "A poison skill...? Fine. I accept your challenge."
Chris straightened up, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Good. Get ready to regret this."