The capital of Country A.
A vintage European-style mansion, with roses climbing high walls. This is Rose Estate. Sunlight filled the courtyard, flowers swaying in the breeze, creating a beautiful scene.
Paige sat curled up on a woven rattan swing on the second-floor balcony. When the swing rose high, she could see the entire rose-filled courtyard.
Since being taken from Wind Island, she had been confined here, cared for by two middle-aged maids. She had no idea what the man planned to do with her. With no money and no identity, she chose not to escape, instead, observing the situation.
Behind her, the two maids pruned the rose branches climbing the balcony while chatting.
"I heard the driver braked too hard and got kicked on the spot."
"Ever since Mr. Gustin took over the conglomerate, he's become more ruthless."
Swinging in the chair, Paige pieced together bits of information about the man from the maids' daily conversations. Enrico Gustin, 25 years old, boss of the Gustin Group.
Early last year, he suddenly stormed into his father's study with a gun, forcing him to hand over control. After fully taking over the conglomerate, he ruled with an iron fist, swiftly and decisively, turning the Gustin Group into the most formidable conglomerate in the country.
Many people got rich by clinging to him, while many others hated him enough to try constant assassinations. Those who made mistakes around him died terribly. Those who opposed him died even worse. Even when his own brother was kidnapped, he remained calm, watching his brother's bloody fingers being chopped off without yielding to any threats.
Undoubtedly, he was a ruthless man with immense power. The extent of his terribleness was beyond her imagination.
"Come to think of it, getting assigned to Rose Estate isn't so bad. We only have to look after a little girl. Though she's supposed to be mentally ill, she doesn't make any fuss, just sits quietly every day. It's quite easy," one of the maids said.
"Exactly," the other agreed, turning to look at Paige, only to see the swing flying high into the air. The girl inside, like an untethered kite, was about to be launched out.
The maids' eyes widened in terror, their voices caught in their throats.
The gates to the courtyard swung open from the outside. Several bodyguards entered first, forming two lines by the entrance, heads bowed in greeting. Enrico strode into Rose Estate, his face expressionless. He had barely taken a few steps when a dark shadow descended from the sky.
The bodyguards instantly drew their guns, ready to rush over.
Instinctively, Enrico lifted his arm, and the frail girl fell into his embrace. He looked down, she was dressed in a thin nightgown, curled up against his chest. Her pale face showed no sign of fear from falling, and she stared blankly at him.
She was biting her nails, her thumb was chewed to a jagged mess.
"Oh dear, Miss! Swings aren't meant to be used like that!"
The two maids rushed out of the mansion, their faces turning pale as they saw Enrico. They stood there, trembling. "Mr... Mr. Gustin..."
Paige quietly and obediently bit her nails. She wasn't sick. But until she understood why she had been taken from Wind Island, she had to show some symptoms of a mental illness to survive. If they found out she was faking, who knew what terrible fate would await her?
But it was strange that Enrico caught her, and even stranger that he didn't immediately throw her away.
"Is this how you take care of her?" Enrico's cold, displeased voice sounded above Paige's head.
In the next second, he kicked one of the maids to the ground.
The maid lay on the ground, not daring to get up, apologizing, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... It's our fault."
"Don't let me see these useless fools again!"
"Yes, I'll dismiss them both immediately," a voice responded.
Paige recognized the voice. It was Jaden Burk, his assistant.
Enrico turned away, carrying Paige inside.
Jaden watched Enrico's cold retreating figure and then turned to the bodyguards. "From now on, when the boss comes over, stay at the entrance. Don't go inside."
"Yes, sir," the bodyguards responded in unison, their voices thunderous.
Paige heard this and thought, so she would continue to stay here? Why? What did the president of a major conglomerate want with a mental patient?
Enrico placed her on the sofa in the hall and sat opposite her. Paige then noticed a vivid tattoo of a fawn on his right hand.
His long fingers grasped her chin, forcing her to look up. His grayish eyes stared straight at her.
"You really do look like her."
Her? Who? An enemy? An old lover? Paige guessed.