Mia quietly packed her belongings one by one. She didn't forget to place the framed photos of Grandma Shen and Mama Ana on a small table in the corner of the room. Her eyes lingered on the two photos, and a wave of loneliness crept into her heart. Though she was now back with her father, the house still felt empty.
Knock… knock… knock…
A knock on the door echoed repeatedly, breaking the silence. Mia snapped out of her thoughts. Her expression soured, clearly annoyed that her moment of rest had been interrupted.
"Mia, someone's here to see you. He says it's important," said Mr. Jerry from behind the door.
"Who is it?" Mia asked, curious.
"I don't know! But you should come out. He seems like an important person," Mr. Jerry replied, his tone turning more serious.
Mia took a deep breath, then stood and headed toward the door. "Alright, I'll go out. I'm curious anyway… maybe it has something to do with Mom," she muttered as she turned the doorknob.
She opened the door and stepped out, a sense of unease beginning to creep into her chest.
"Who could be looking for me? I don't even know anyone in this city," she thought as she walked through the hallway, Mr. Jerry trailing behind her.
"Mia, you need to be polite. The man asking for you isn't just anyone. Who knows—he might offer you a good job. If he does, don't forget to ask for a big salary," said Mr. Jerry, half-joking but half-serious.
Mia halted and glanced sideways with a cold, sarcastic stare.
"Don't get your hopes up. I won't stoop so low just for a big paycheck. I'm not a beggar like you," she snapped icily.
She resumed walking, faster this time, leaving her father silent behind her. Mia's words were sharp, stabbing deep. But he said nothing—only exhaled heavily and followed with a hard-to-read expression.
"Don't follow me!" Mia barked, turning with a piercing glare. "Or are you planning to eavesdrop? Always poking into things that aren't your business? I hope… my father isn't that kind of cheap man!"
Her voice rang with anger and disappointment. Mr. Jerry only scoffed quietly, his face hardening.
"Tch," he muttered, then turned around and walked away, leaving Mia to head to the living room, her chest burning with emotion.
There, she saw an older man standing with his back to the room. He was around the same age as Mr. Jerry. Tall, well-built, with neatly trimmed facial hair that gave him an air of authority. His dark brown eyes scanned something on the wall.
He was studying a family photo hanging in the middle of the room. A new family portrait—without Mia in it.
The man stood silently for a moment. His gaze sharp, as if he had just noticed something in the photo. Then, slowly, he turned around… and his eyes met Mia's, who now stood frozen at the doorway.
"Excuse me… good evening, sir," Mia greeted him with a flat tone, though still polite.
"Good evening," the older man replied, slowly turning his head toward her.
"Were you… looking for me?" Mia asked, trying to confirm, though her emotions were still a tangled mix of suspicion and curiosity.
The man stared at her for a moment, then asked,
"Hmm… are you Mia Shen?"
"Yes, that's me," Mia replied briefly, watching the man closely, trying to figure out who he really was.
His eyes carried a calm depth, though his face showed signs of weariness. Mia took note of that.
"Oh, please—have a seat, sir. You shouldn't stand too long. It's not good for your health," she said, a little awkward but still considerate.
The older man smiled kindly.
"Thank you, Miss Mia. In that case, I won't refuse," he said as he slowly sat down on the sofa, his eyes still observing Mia with a deep, thoughtful gaze.
Mia remained standing for a few seconds before finally sitting down across from him. The room went quiet, like something big was about to be revealed.
"Here's the thing, Miss Mia," the man began, his voice calm but firm, his eyes focused intently on her face.
"I came here to ask for your help. I know you're an exceptional young woman. Your academic and social achievements have caught my attention. Truly impressive."
Mia looked surprised. She frowned slightly, not expecting such open praise from a stranger.
"Please, don't flatter me, sir… I'm just an ordinary woman, not as remarkable as you think," Mia responded humbly, though curiosity was starting to grow inside her.
Who is this man...?
As the conversation went on, Bu Yanti suddenly entered the living room, carrying a tray with two cups of warm tea and a plate of cookies.
On the table.
"But I have one condition."
Mr. Biromo raised an eyebrow, a little surprised but still composed.
"May I know what condition you're proposing? As long as it's within my capacity, I'll fulfill it."
Mia leaned in slightly, then whispered seriously,
"I'm sorry, but I want to discuss this condition in private… not here."
Mr. Biromo nodded in understanding, as if he had expected that response.
"Of course. In that case, Miss Mia, let's go to a safer and quieter place to finalize our business."
With polite manners, Mr. Biromo stood and gestured for Mia to walk ahead. Mia gave a small nod, rose from her seat, and stepped outside.
"Thank you… for understanding my situation," Mia said softly before walking toward Mr. Biromo's luxurious car that had been waiting outside.
Mr. Jerry remained frozen where he stood. Inside, unanswered questions began to stir:
"What exactly is going on? And… why did Mia agree to that man's offer so easily?"
Mr. Biromo and Mia were now heading to a private location to discuss their collaboration. Mr. Biromo understood Mia's discomfort in discussing serious matters at the Xiao family residence.
"I'll use this partnership to reclaim Mom's house and destroy them," Mia vowed inwardly as she stepped into Mr. Biromo's luxury car.
"Please, Miss," said Mr. Biromo's personal driver, bowing slightly as he opened the car door for her.
"Thank you," Mia replied, offering a polite smile.
The driver then quickly opened the door for Mr. Biromo as well. Once both were seated, he smoothly drove off at a moderate speed.
"To the usual restaurant," Mr. Biromo said briefly.
"Yes, Sir," the driver responded, eyes fixed on the road.
They were now on their way to a five-star restaurant. Inside the car, Mia remained silent, not initiating any conversation. She didn't want to appear disrespectful—or worse, say the wrong thing.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, a waiter immediately greeted them warmly, bowing slightly as a sign of respect.
"Welcome back, Mr. Biromo. We've prepared your private room," the waiter said, gesturing for them to follow.
Mia walked slowly behind Mr. Biromo. The restaurant's atmosphere was calm and elegant. Soft piano music could be heard faintly from the main hall, but they were led to a more exclusive, enclosed room.
Once the door closed behind them, silence took over. The waiter served them warm tea before discreetly exiting, leaving the two alone.
Mr. Biromo leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Mia with an unreadable expression.
"So, Mia… what exactly do you want out of this partnership?" he asked in a calm, yet probing tone.
Mia looked him straight in the eyes, refusing to show hesitation.
"I want to reclaim what was taken from my family. My mother's house… and our dignity," she said slowly but firmly. "And I believe you have your own reasons for offering this deal."
Mr. Biromo gave a faint smile, as if he appreciated the tension Mia brought into the room.
"Smart girl," he said simply, sipping his tea. "That's exactly why I chose you."
Grrrkk… kraakk…
The sound of Mia's stomach rumbling suddenly broke the silence. She hadn't eaten since the funeral of Grandma Shen, and now—late into the night—her body was clearly reaching its limit. The growling melody from her stomach drew subtle glances between the two men in the room.
Mr. Biromo turned slowly toward Mia, one eyebrow slightly raised. Even the waiter in the corner of the room struggled to hold back a smile, clearly understanding the situation.
Mia quickly placed her hands on her lap and lowered her head, her face turning red with embarrassment. She had hoped to remain calm and professional, but her body had betrayed her.
Mr. Biromo set his teacup down and leaned slightly forward.
"This partnership… it's not just about money or revenge, Mia. I know you want your family's house back, and you want to bring down the Xiao family. But to do that, you'll need to enter a world far more brutal than anything you've experienced before."
Mia nodded, unwavering.
"I'm not afraid. I've lost too much to back down now."
Mr. Biromo stared at her for a long moment, then spoke softly,
"Then let's talk strategy. But you must understand—once we begin, there's no turning back."
Mia straightened in her seat. The soft, innocent aura she once carried began to fade, replaced by resolve. Behind her sharp gaze, a quiet storm of vengeance was already brewing.
"Tell me what I need to do first, Sir," she said calmly.
Mr. Biromo pressed a small button beside his chair. Shortly after, a man in a neatly pressed black suit entered the room, carrying a leather folder. He placed it in front of Mr. Biromo, gave a respectful nod, and left without a word.
Mr. Biromo opened the folder and pulled out several documents and photographs. He slid them toward Mia.