Poison Rose of Avalon

Amara chose to ignore the message, continuing with their meal. She didn't want to disrupt the peaceful and enjoyable moment Liora was experiencing during their time together.

"Officer Park, I truly appreciate your help," she said, expressing her gratitude. "You've been an incredible support during these difficult times. We're fortunate to have you with us."

"It's my duty to ensure your safety and well-being, Mrs. Valentine. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

"Thank you! If you ever miss your family, please feel free to visit us and share a meal anytime. You're always welcome here. Right, Ora?" Amara glanced at her daughter.

Liora eagerly nodded and chimed in, "Yes, you're always welcome here." Her voice, soft and melodious, echoed the sincerity of her words.

"Indeed, Liora, now that you've said it," Officer Park replied with genuine warmth, his smile mirroring the sweetness of Liora's gesture.

Turning his attention to Amara, he noticed her keen awareness of his own family's tragedy. Though he hadn't mentioned it, she had somehow sensed it. His initial impression of her as a pitiful woman was now replaced with recognition of her sharp mind at work.

After finishing the meal, Officer Park decided to remain nearby. He bid them farewell and stepped outside, heading toward his car parked around the corner. From there, he kept a vigilant watch over the Valentine home, like a night owl guarding its territory.

Amara insisted that Liora take a warm bath before bed. Afterward, they both changed into their nightgowns.

Instead of letting Liora sleep in her own room, Amara made space for her daughter to sleep next to her. Having already lost Mark, Amara couldn't bear the thought of distancing herself from Liora, at least not now. She wanted to keep her close and safe.

Amara watched Liora sleep peacefully, wrapped in her embrace. After a while, she picked up her phone and checked the messages. The Chairman had instructed her to come to Glaciers' mansion at 8 a.m.

She then tapped on the message from the unknown sender. Anger surged within Amara as she read it. Her calm demeanor shifted to raging fury as she read Tony Gambino's demand:

"I give you 3 days. Leave the house that belongs to me."

It seemed Tony hadn't taken the Chairman's warning to heart about backing off from the Valentines. Amara didn't have the energy to dwell on him right then, so she decided to deal with it in the morning. The fatigue of the day soon took hold, and before she knew it, she slipped into slumber.

The alarm blared at 5 a.m., waking Amara. She was eager to prepare for the day ahead. After completing her morning routine, she made breakfast.

As soon as she stepped out of the kitchen, she found Liora sitting on the couch, clutching a soft bear to her chest, eyes closed. Liora seemed sleepy. Amara glanced at the clock and saw it was already 6:30 a.m.

"Liora, wake up, sweetie. It's time to get ready for school," Amara gently urged.

At the mention of school, Liora's sleepiness disappeared. "No, Mama. Not today. I'll stay with you and help you today." She insisted, her eyes wide with determination.

Amara sympathized with Liora's hesitation but also worried about the school days she had missed.

"You've already missed quite a bit of school, dear."

Liora pleaded, "Mama, please! Today is Friday. I'll start going again on Monday. Promise!" It was clear Liora was hoping to delay facing the challenges of school for just one more day.

Amara and Liora left home at 7:15 a.m., knowing they had to catch the bus to cover half the distance to Glaciers' mansion.

The journey usually took about an hour. Though there wasn't a direct bus route, Amara had a routine of taking the bus for the first half of the journey as it was a cost-effective option. For the remainder of the trip, she usually opted for a taxi.

Today, she followed the same routine.

"Mama, I'm so excited to see the mansion!" Liora was bubbling with excitement at the thought of visiting Glacier Mansion, where her mother worked—a place she had never been to before.

This would be her first step into the world of Glaciers, and the visit would also mark her first meeting with Caspian. Despite attending the same school, their paths had never crossed… until today.

The taxi came to a stop at the grand entrance of Luxor Estate, where the Glaciers family resided. Amara stepped out first, followed by Liora. With the taxi gone, they stood before the imposing black gates of the estate. Liora's gaze was drawn upward to the massive gates, a striking combination of beauty and danger that sparked both curiosity and awe in her.

"Wow!" Liora breathed in amazement. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the grandeur of the Luxor Estate's entrance.

Luxor Estates, located on the outskirts of Avalon City, was a sprawling property where wealthy chaebols lived. It was filled with every luxury imaginable, boasting a polo field, horse-riding opportunities, and a range of entertainment options for its affluent residents.

The estate was heavily guarded, though there were no CCTV cameras on the property—privacy was paramount for the chaebols.

A team of highly trained and well-compensated security personnel ensured round-the-clock protection.

Access to the estate was strictly controlled—only those employed by the residents or those with a gold card issued to friends or family of the chaebols could enter.

Every entry and exit was carefully tracked and monitored to preserve the safety and exclusivity of the premises.

Amara firmly grasped Liora's small hand as they approached the security checkpoint. Upon reaching it, Amara handed over her purse for scanning, followed by the routine fingerprint identification procedure—similar to the security checks at an airport.

Regardless of how familiar one was with Luxor Estates, everyone, except gold card holders, had to undergo this mandatory screening each day.

The head of security appeared when he noticed Liora with Amara—a man with a military-style haircut. He looked rugged but kept his attire neat and clean. Standing at around 6.5 feet tall, his robust physique made an imposing figure.

Liora's neck stretched as she looked up at the giant man. Startled by his strong presence, she instinctively focused on his feet. Is it Bigfoot? After seeing his large shoes, she squeezed her eyes shut, recalling the book she had read about Bigfoot, who kidnaps children and hangs them upside down from tree branches.

"In our records, only your name is listed. There's no mention of anyone accompanying you. Sorry, Amara, we can't allow her to pass." Despite his tough appearance, his voice carried a surprisingly gentle tone.

Liora looked up at her mother with worry, her grip tightening on Amara's hand upon hearing that she wouldn't be allowed inside.

Amara glanced down at her frightened daughter, offering a reassuring smile and a single blink to silently convey that everything would be fine.

"John, this is my daughter. She couldn't attend school today, so she's coming with me," Amara explained.

"You know the rules, Amara. No one is permitted unless their name is on the list," the head of security reiterated.

Liora now clung to her mother's hand with both of her own. Tears brimmed in her eyes, and John couldn't help but notice her tearful expression. Guilt had already crept in for denying her entry, but the sight of her watery gaze deepened his remorse.

John ran a hand through his hair, then retrieved Amara's purse and handed it back to her.

"Call the chairman and inform him. If he approves, I'll let your daughter through. But make sure this doesn't happen again," he said firmly.

Amara nodded, retrieved her phone from her handbag, and began dialing the chairman's number. They were already running late, and this delay only added to her growing anxiety. The chairman detested tardiness, and that fact only pressured Amara more.

As Amara dialed, the phone at the security booth rang. A second guard quickly answered and, after a brief exchange, handed the receiver to John.

"'Allow Amara's daughter to enter,' came the chairman's curt directive."

John glanced at Amara, puzzled, before nodding and replying, "Yes, sir." Then, the call disconnected.

Meanwhile, Amara remained on hold, waiting for the chairman to pick up her call.

"Amara, you're cleared to enter with Liora," John said, relaying the chairman's decision.

Amara was startled by the chairman's swift intervention. 'How did he know?' she wondered. But there was no time to dwell on it; the clock was ticking.

Grasping Liora's hand, Amara hurried toward Glacier Mansion, determined to avoid further delays. Liora wiped her tears and quickened her pace, jogging to keep up with her mother's hurried strides.

As they rushed off, John's eyes swept over the walls and surrounding area, searching for hidden cameras but finding none.

'How did he know Amara had her daughter with her?' John wondered, the mystery gnawing at him.

Amara and Liora reached Glacier Mansion, where a guard stationed at the gate immediately opened it for them.

They briskly made their way to the front door. Out of breath from their rushed pace, Amara pressed the doorbell, her heart sinking as she noted it was already 8:05 a.m. She silently prayed the chairman wouldn't dismiss her before she could even begin her new role.

A male servant opened the door, ushering them inside. The mansion's grandeur left Liora breathless, its white-and-blue decor an elegant feast for the eyes.

Liora stood frozen for a moment, her mouth agape in wonder. "It's so beautiful, Mumma!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.

Before Liora could take in more of the mansion's entrance, a female servant appeared, guiding them toward the dining room. The Glaciers, she explained, always began their breakfast promptly at 8 a.m.

Amara felt a wave of confusion as the maid led them toward the breakfast table instead of the Chairman's home office, where he typically worked when not at the corporate headquarters.

Liora, on the other hand, was wide-eyed with wonder, captivated by the grandeur surrounding her.

When Amara and Liora entered the grand dining room, they were met with a scene of elegance and sophistication. The room, like much of the mansion, was adorned in the Glacier family's signature colors: blue and white. From the fine china on the table to the intricate accents along the walls, the color scheme spoke to George Glacier's refined taste.

"Mrs. Ren, please escort the two to their designated seats," the chairman instructed in his resonant, commanding voice.

"Yes, sir," Mrs. Ren, the housekeeper in charge of the Glacier family's breakfast service, replied promptly. She gestured for Amara and Liora to follow her to their assigned places at the table.

At the heart of the room stood an impressive, elongated dining table that reflected the family's hierarchical structure. One end of the table, slightly elevated, was unmistakably reserved for the head of the household.

The opposite end remained vacant, a silent acknowledgement that no one dared occupy it without permission.

To George's left was an empty chair—a tribute to his late wife, whose presence lingered in the memories of those who knew her.

On his right sat his eldest son, Jackson Glacier, a poised and commanding figure in his own right. Beside Jackson was his wife, Emily Glacier, whose refined elegance matched the room's atmosphere. Next to Emily sat their 11-year-old son, Caspian—a bright young boy destined to inherit the Glacier legacy.

On the opposite side of the table, adjacent to the empty chair, sat the second son, Sebastian Glacier, his sharp features reflecting a quiet confidence. Beside him was his wife, Sarah Glacier, who carried an air of poised elegance.

To Caspian's left sat Liora, her small frame dwarfed by the grandeur of the table. Next to Liora was her mother, Amara, seated with a composed grace despite the unexpected formality of the setting.

"I have made arrangements for Amara and her daughter to stay at the small cottage behind our mansion," George announced with an air of finality, his tone unwavering and his gaze fixed ahead as though addressing no one in particular.

Caspian's eyes lit up at the statement. His gaze lingered on Liora, filled with an almost inexplicable curiosity—like a child who had stumbled upon an intriguing secret that wasn't meant to be discovered.

His eyes shimmered, a mix of wonder and mischief, as though trying to decipher the story behind this unfamiliar girl seated beside him.