[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603220ECDF1-606":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},606,48,"Chapter 48: The Burn on His Fingertip","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Thursday was still nearly a week away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Usually, once Violette immersed herself in work, time would slip through her fingers like water. But this time, it felt like there was a voice in the back of her head. Whenever she had a spare moment, the voice would pipe up: \"Violette, what day is it today? How much longer until Thursday?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Every minute of the countdown felt agonizingly long.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette expected the week to continue in this sluggish haze, until Margaret Lewis called, asking with a hint of embarrassment if she was free on Wednesday.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette was scheduled for a graveyard shift that day. She barely hesitated. \"I'm free.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s wonderful!\" Margaret said. \"It’s Kaisen’s school open house on Wednesday. His father and I are still in Australia, and we were going to ask Roman to go, but I heard he’s in Luxembourg?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette understood the polite request beneath the words and nodded. \"I have the time. I'll be there.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Margaret sent over the time and location. Like any typical teenager, Kaisen added Violette on WhatsApp, immediately spamming her with a barrage of memes. He didn't seem to mind at all that she was stepping in for his parents.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette let out a sigh of relief and messaged him back: *Is there anything I need to prepare?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kaisen replied with a puppy emoji: *Just wear some athletic gear, Auntie! My big brother took Mom’s place last year and took first place in the outdoor events!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The mention of \"outdoor events\" and \"athletic gear\" gave Violette a mild headache. She looked up the school’s past open houses online. As expected of an elite private school, every semester’s event was an extravaganza. She skimmed the outdoor section: equestrian, golf, beach volleyball, rock climbing, water polo...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Right. She wasn't good at any of those. Violette went from \"interested\" to \"giving up\" in three seconds flat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, when Wednesday rolled around, she still packed a proper set of gym clothes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The school parking lot was a sea of luxury cars. Violette navigated her white Mercedes with extreme caution, terrified of scratching the Maybach to her left, so she hugged the right side—only to find herself boxed in by a million-dollar luxury van.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the world of adults, social hierarchies were laid bare. The owner of the Maybach and the owner of the van stepped out and exchanged polite nods, completely ignoring the C-Class sedan sandwiched between them. Violette didn't care; she walked through the crowd, unbothered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In the distance, Kaisen was waiting for her. He was wearing the school’s formal uniform—a sharp, British-style three-piece suit with a matching tie. As he checked his watch, the profile of his face looked strikingly similar to his older brother's.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette waved. He ran over immediately. \"Auntie!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few of his classmates walked by, craning their necks to look. \"Kaisen, your mom is so young and pretty!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The kid couldn't hide his teasing tone. Kaisen scoffed. \"It's not like you haven't seen my mom before. This is my aunt.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, for the game later, are you playing against your aunt?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What game?\" Violette asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kaisen rubbed his nose. \"Just a friendly match. It’s nothing serious, just for fun.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing that Kaisen wasn't overly competitive, Violette felt more at ease. The morning tour was a breeze, and she snapped some photos to send to Margaret in Australia. By the afternoon, after the sun had passed its peak, Kaisen came to the lounge to tell her to change into her workout gear.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The other parents were drifting back, also changing into athletic clothes. But they didn't look like they were planning to play; the women had perfect makeup and held tiny parasols, while the men clustered together to talk business, their attention nowhere near the court. The stadium had essentially split into three distinct social circles: men, women, and children.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, when Violette appeared on the court with her hair tied in a sleek high ponytail, Kaisen felt a surge of pride.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"See?\" the teenager boasted. \"I told you, only my aunt is actually here to play for real.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah, but playing for real just means you're going to lose. You have no idea who you're up against!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's a friendly match, man. Who cares about winning?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't until Violette stepped onto the court that she realized who the \"friendly\" opponent was. As the school administrators accompanied him onto the court, she heard the muffled gasps of the boys nearby.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette looked up and saw Blake Pierce.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He spotted her too, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes before he quickly composed himself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The club set this up,\" Blake said, pausing beside her while he adjusted his racket.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette gestured toward Kaisen. \"My nephew.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Blake’s movements stopped for a split second. \"Even though I’m getting a performance fee for this, you should know that I rarely go easy on anyone.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fair enough. I'll try my best not to lose too embarrassingly,\" Violette replied with a smile. \"Oh, and thank you for that matter.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Blake knew she was referring to the lawsuit. It was strange—he had instructed his lawyers to target only the most malicious engagement-farming accounts, but within a short time, a massive wave of legal notices had been sent out to dozens of other accounts. Clearly, another, more powerful hand was at work behind the scenes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Blake hadn't fully investigated it yet, so he just nodded. \"It was the right thing to do.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They ended the conversation there. Violette turned to discuss tactics with Kaisen, while across the net, Blake was pulled aside by a lucky student for a photo op. The boy was ecstatic, waving a \"peace\" sign at Kaisen from across the court.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kaisen looked annoyed. \"That was supposed to be me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you a fan of his?\" Violette asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He's alright,\" Kaisen said. \"He’s a great player. I wanted to pick up a few tricks.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You only learn by playing against the best.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kaisen nodded, convinced. \"Auntie, do you think our strategy will actually work?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette patted his shoulder. \"It’s not a disgrace to lose.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Blake’s playing style was fierce, aggressive, and entirely outward-facing, just like his personality. That was why, back when he used to hold her hand and teach her how to play tennis, he had given it his all. Forehand, backhand, hunting for openings, breaking the rhythm—these were the lessons she had learned on the court.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It had been a while since she’d played, and she wasn't sure if those old tactics would still hold up. Two amateurs against a pro was a tall order. Her only hope was that after all this time, Blake might have forgotten that he was the one who had taught her how to dismantle his own game.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Win a few pretty points, gain some respect for Kaisen among his peers—that was the plan.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She signaled an \"OK\" to Kaisen. He nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The match began. Kaisen hit his serves deep into the outside corner, a ball the other student couldn't possibly reach, forcing Blake to cover the ground. The next return, Kaisen lobbed a high ball. It became a two-on-one struggle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Down on the court, the atmosphere was electric. Up in the VIP suite, however, no one noticed the late arrival of a guest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The guest flicked the tip of a cigarette, looking dusty and travel-worn. He stood before the pristine floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the tennis court. His gaze was locked on one point—a sleek, high ponytail cutting graceful arcs through the air. The woman’s frame was slender and delicate, yet agile, always anticipating the ball’s path with deft footwork before it even touched the ground.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At a glance, it almost looked like the opponent was intentionally feeding her the balls.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The lime-green ball bounced back and forth, weaving a connection between the two sides of the net. The cigarette burned quickly; a long ash hung from the tip, swaying precariously. Before he realized it, the heat scorched his skin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The head of the school offered a polite observation, flattering him in the process. \"Your brother’s game is quite impressive, isn't it? He’s managed to trade volleys with a pro for several rounds now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Kaisen did have good stamina, but Roman wasn't watching his younger brother. He looked down, noticing Violette standing slightly off-center, feigning a defensive stance. As soon as the ball whipped toward her, she stepped in, executing a perfect net interception.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she landed, Kaisen punched the air, shouting, \"Yes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh my!\" the school official exclaimed, surprised. \"Has Mrs. Griffin been training?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This was the first time Roman had seen this side of her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The cigarette finally finished burning, the glowing ember searing his fingertip. Roman crushed it out against the glass.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I have a small request,\" he said, his voice flat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go ahead.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He rubbed the small, red burn on the inside of his finger. \"I’d prefer if no one mentioned that I was here for the open house.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272918698]