" Cross the line "
“You might not realize this, but I have my own problems too. Money doesn’t fall from the sky, Mr. Patrick.”
Old Patrick pursed his lips in protest, and she knew she was about to endure yet another pointless argument.
“I’ve heard from some boys that you come from a wealthy family. That you own mansions, lands… vast amounts of money.”
“That is not an excuse for you not to pay me for my work. And do not interfere in things that don’t concern you, sir, because I refuse to be a well-mannered girl.”
The old man’s face creased as he pulled the money from his pocket, counting it slowly bill by bill. It almost looked like she would be spending the night on his doorstep.
She gritted her teeth in frustration, her fingers moving quickly to silence her phone that wouldn’t stop ringing.
But she already knew who it was… and she wouldn’t hesitate to ignore it.
She grabbed the money, letting out a tired sigh before leaving the old man’s house, her will to continue already fading.
She rode her scooter at full speed, hoping to make it back before her absence was noticed.. before she had to endure another round of scolding and silence.
The sound of cars surrounded her, but so did the noise inside her own head.
Every part of her wanted to say no.
Time dragged unusually slow until the city’s noise began to fade. One by one, the cars disappeared, and she entered that forbidden area on her own, the place few even dared to look at.
But how could she fear it… when it was her own home?
Towering trees. Darkness. And the heavy aura of authority surrounding the mansion.
A massive estate that inspired both admiration and fear in others, but only she knew its true weight.
She stopped in front of the enormous gate, waiting for someone.. anyone.. to grant her entry.
Well… perhaps not just “anyone.”
She watched her foolish cousin approach with confident steps, his expression as rigid as ever. His handsome face remained unreadable, his formal suit making her feel like she was one step away from being fired.
His deep voice cut through the air.
“How long do you intend to keep making me save you from this? Do you have any idea how difficult this is?”
She sighed and tossed her helmet at him.
“Don’t start with this now. Don’t act like I force you into these rescues. You know I don’t care about them.”
He lightly smacked the back of her head before handing the helmet to the towering guard.
“You only act this rude until you’re standing in front of them. You should be brave enough to say that to them, not to me, Veronica.”
“Antonio, please stop. You know I..”
He finished her sentence.
“I can’t control it.”
She raised a brow in disbelief.
“Great. Now you’re mocking me?!”
“That’s not mocking… well.. maybe it is.”
“Just don’t come to me when you’re drunk complaining about them again! What were you saying? Something about marriage?”
He quickly covered her mouth with his hand, silencing her, scolding her sharply as he shook her head slightly, eyes sharp like a predator about to strike.
“What’s going on here?!”
Their heads turned instantly toward the source of the voice.
Both of them scanned her from head to toe… then up to her face.
Strange.
“This is completely inappropriate… what nonsense is this? Why are you clinging to each other like that?”
Antonio looked genuinely impressed, still holding Veronica’s head.
“Is this cotton candy on your head?”
A loud, irritated scream followed.
“Antonio! Have you caught her bad manners too?!”
She shoved his hand away.
“I wasn’t even talking! Don’t drag me into this, Hyun.”
A deep voice cut through the tension.
“Excuse me, ladies. The boss wants you, Miss Veronica.”
“Looks like someone’s about to get scolded again…”
Hyun smirked in amusement as she watched Veronica follow the servant.
She walked slowly, almost theatrically, pretending to stumble.. waiting for strong arms, her imagined hero, to catch her.
But as always… no one came. Not this time. Not any time before.
Would she ever get her moment?
Inside the mansion, in one of the main corridors, Veronica followed the servant in silence, her calm exterior betraying the storm inside her.
The servant opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
She hesitated.
Then that voice reached her from inside… the one she hated the most:
“You’ve crossed the line again.”
