"Ugh… why are there so many of you?" Devon narrowed her eyes as she had finally finished her drink. Now, her vision started doubling. 

"Bella, dearest." She cupped Bella's cheek and widened her eyes, focusing while blinking ever so slowly. "My dearest friend, you are so beautiful."

"Dev." Bella let out a weak sigh as she averted her eyes. They were currently sitting on the side of the pool with both their feet in the water.

"Sis! How can you get drunk so much! It's just five minutes — ugh! I should've drowned Mike to death." Dion grumbled, clinging onto the side of the pool. He didn't have a choice but to swim earlier, as Mike kept pressing his nerves.

Meanwhile, Mike was coughing out the water that went into his system, resurfacing beside Dion. The latter cast him a glare, grinding his teeth as his arms sprawled towards Mike, but Mike immediately glided away.

"Bro! I didn't tell her to drink! Why are you venting your anger to me?!"

"Who said the water in the toilet is the only safe drink here, hah?!"

"You two are so loud…" Devon sighed as she shook her head, withdrawing her hand away from Bella. "But this banquet is nice. I was never into one of these."

Banquet… the three of them felt her word usage was strange. However, they ignored it as they unconsciously got used to Devon's style of speaking.

"A tub as large as a lake, swimsuits, and refreshments with alcohol mixed… I feel free." Her eyes softened as she smiled with her gaze on the water. "So free I don't want this night to end because whenever I am happy… something or someone takes it away from me."

"Dev…" Bella tried to sport a smile, but staring at Devon's side profile with eyes spoke a thousand unspoken words refrained her from staying positive. She didn't know the reason, but it just felt like Devon was akin to a bird who just got out of her cage.

"I might slay someone who dares mock me." And what Devon meant by that was, she would slay the world if they had taken this world from her.

"Sis, are you a secret sadist? You keep saying violent kinds of stuff! You're scary!" Dion gasped, not knowing whether it was the night breeze or the sinister vibe he was starting to feel around Devon.

Devon smiled as she slowly tilted her head, eyes on Dion. "I'm jesting."

"Bro, I really like your cousin, but I'm seeing too many red flags," Mike murmured as he leaned to Dion's side. Dion cast him a look of dismay, sighing as he shook his head.

She's not my cousin, was what Dion wanted to say, but saying those would open up a portal of more questions. That was the last thing he wanted to do, answering too many questions at the same time. 

"Nothing will happen," Bella reassured when she had mustered the courage to uplift the mood. "After all, the bad thing that can happen already did — you're still the talk of the town, right now."

Mike, Devon, and Dion cast Bella a look. With the in their eyes, Bella cleared her throat as she realized what she said was just like a reminder. A complete opposite of her intentions.

"Bella, are you trying to say we're still screwed, no matter what?" Dion uttered in dismay as his nose scrunched up. 

Mike also sighed as Bella seemed to have been influenced by Devon's negativity and turning it positively. "Bella, I appreciate the attempt, but don't do it again. Like, ever."

"Oh, please!" Bella rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. "What I said is true, though. Things will probably be difficult with all the paparazzi, but at the very least, it can never go worse."

"Goodness… it strangely makes sense that it's annoying," Dion grumbled, as who could argue with her with that? Dion was still screwed either way, so whatever news that would come afterward wouldn't even rattle him anymore.

"Pfft—!" Devon chuckled as she watched the three of them, who suddenly went silent for a moment. Her waves of laughter caught their attention, furrowing their brows while she laughed alone.

"Bro, I'm really sorry. Next time, I'll prepare a box of milk for her." Mike leaned to Dion's side, as he truly felt sorry. 

Even though at first he wanted Devon to get a bit drunk so he could flirt with her, that seemed impossible. He might end up with a dominant and submissive relationship — Mike would surely get the latter role.

"Too late. You and I are both dead," Dion's reply confused Mike, but the former would rather drag his best friend to hell. 

"You three…" Devon deliberately paused as she darted her eyes from Bella to Dion and then to Mike. "… you're closer than before. Please take care of Dion."

"Sis…" Dion's eyes widened before they welled up, not expecting it from Devon. He didn't have a sister, so Devon filling that spot moved his heart.

"Dion… he had quite the temper, but I hope you understand that his brother is not someone who shows emotion. Hence, it'll take time for him to open up as well." Devon smiled as she was reminded of Lewis's character, missing him so suddenly as she had the urge to go home to him.

"Brother?" Both Bella and Mike suddenly inquired, casting Devon a look before shifting their attention to Dion.

"Well…" Dion scratched his chin, thinking he was safe since it was not him who mentioned Devon's relationship with him first. 

Just as Dion opened his mouth to explain that Devon wasn't his cousin, their heads turned to the entrance of the pool upon hearing their friend. Their brows knitted as soon as they saw their friend's aghast expression.

"Brother Dion, Senior!" The male friend panted for air as his complexion turned pale. "You are so, so, dead."

All sorts of worst-case scenarios hovered in their heads upon hearing that news. They only knew what kind of the worst thing could happen when they saw the man behind their friend.

The man, standing behind that person who relayed the news, had his cold eyes searching the pool area. The dear loyal junior of Dion and Mike instantly froze as a chill ran down his spine, sensing the tyrant's aura behind him.

"That is…" Bella covered her mouth as she gasped, seeing Lewis on the flesh. She never met such a legendary figure, but since Lewis used even his handsome face in his business, he was quite popular himself.

In her mind, Lewis showing in here, after Dion's scandal, only meant things just went from bad to worse! She was wrong that things couldn't go worse!

"No fucking hell…" Mike's jaw fell open as he had met Lewis one time. However, Lewis' presence alone was enough to make him think if his place was worthy enough for the king to step in!

"Brother Dion, just what kind of scandal did you do for the king himself to stand up from his throne?" asked Mike under his breath, feeling his entire body numbing.

"I am fucking doom…" Dion muttered helplessly as he knew when Lewis was angry. His brother's eyes were piercingly cold, and when Lewis's eyes landed on them, Dion just wanted to drown. 

"Brother, I…" Dion trailed off when Devon suddenly sprung up to her feet and ran towards him. Not just Dion, but Mike and Bella's gaze also followed Devon's figure, and what came next shock them to the core.

"Lu~!" Devon smiled brightly as she ran towards him.

"Move." Lewis gazed down at the person blocking his way, which the latter did despite his shaking knees. Still, his eyes were glinting and on fire, as if he was truly pissed.

But his awful mood didn't last long when Devon suddenly leaped and threw herself at him. Her arms immediately wrapped around his neck and planted her lips against his.

Lewis froze as his eyes dilated. He only recovered when she drew her head back and smiled sweetly at him. 

"I missed you, my daddy~!" Devon grinned with her eyes squinted into slits. "Kiss. Kiss. Kiss." Showering him with a short yet sweet kisses on the lips.

His eyes narrowed as his arms snaked around her waist, bending over, and whispered in her ear. "I'm angry, but I miss you more."

"Bad mood. Go away, go away. No, no, angry." She cupped his lean cheek, standing on her toes as she brushed the tip of her nose against him.

"You're drunk." Lewis frowned as he wondered just how much did she drink. He tilted his head to the side, and his eyes immediately spoke 'I will kill you', upon laying it on the three of them.

"I'm not drunk~!"

"That's what drunk people say," he argued in a low tone, shifting his attention to her. Lewis then took off his blazer suit, draping it around her shoulder. 

"Let's go home, shall we?"

Devon grinned as she leaned forward, melting into his embrace. "Take me home, my daddy."

"Don't —" His breath hitched as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't tease me right now, my love."

Devon giggled. "Then, my baby? My darling? How about my lover?" 

As Devon hugged Lewis to her heart's content, feeling the warmth of his firm body, Bella and Mike were flabbergasted. For a moment, they couldn't believe their eyes that Devon… was not Dion's woman, but Lewis!

  When realization struck them, both of them turned their heads to Dion. "!!!!"

Dion let out a weak chuckle. "I told you, she's off-limits. I'm also in danger around her, you see."

"Bro, thank you for saving me," Mike muttered as he nearly dug his own grave if he flirted with Devon. 

"No wonder she said my standards are low," Bella mumbled, as Dion would be like a child compare to Lewis.

"Dion, Michael, come out there." Both of them froze when they heard the low and cold voice of Lewis, turning their heads as their neck produced an imaginary creaking noise. "I need to talk to you."

"Ye — yes, sir!"