Chapter 93 — Decision
Evening draped over Care's Sydney mansion like a heavy velvet curtain, the golden glow of lamps mingling with shadows cast by the towering walls. But inside, tension buzzed louder than any storm outside.
The group had finished a late dinner, attempting casual chatter, but one glaring absence loomed: Daisy. Not a single sighting all day.
Care stood near the staircase, arms crossed, brow furrowed. "She hasn't come out since morning," she said, voice tight but calm.
Cole, leaning against the hallway wall, ran a hand through his hair, muscles taut. "I knocked. No response. She's not answering anyone." His tone was low, controlled, but every line betrayed the tension in his chest.
Nova's eyes were sharp, scanning the room like a hawk. "This isn't normal. Daisy doesn't just vanish. Something's seriously wrong."
Ben nodded. "We can't just wait for Joong to notice. He's in Seoul again, buried under spreadsheets and board meetings." His voice held frustration, his hands gripping the back of a chair.
Across the room, Alex and Lyra exchanged looks. Alex frowned, a hand rubbing his temple. "Neglect," he said finally. "Could Joong's absence be hurting her more than we realized?"
Lyra shook her head slowly. "She's brilliant, but… she's human. And sometimes even the strongest fall when no one notices."
Meanwhile, Kiefer and JJ were near the foyer, casually observing the chaos, though both were tense. JJ leaned toward Kiefer, whispering, "Do we storm the room or…?"
Kiefer smirked faintly. "We storm. But gently. Like ninjas… billionaires with a conscience."
Ash, standing by the window, her arms crossed, nodded toward Care. "We need to do this tonight. Before this becomes… worse." Her voice, calm and authoritative, carried weight. She had spent the last seven months building her reputation as the "goddess of architecture," but now she was entirely focused on Daisy, ignoring the glow of her achievements.
Meanwhile, Percy and Honey were trying to lighten the tension, though admittedly unsuccessfully.
"Maybe she's hiding with a secret chocolate stash," Percy quipped, waving a hand at the locked door.
Honey laughed softly, a little nervous. "Or conducting experiments in isolation. Like a mad scientist."
Rakhi rolled her eyes, playfully smacking Percy on the arm. "You're ridiculous. If it were me, I'd be panicking."
Ella elbowed Aries. "They're ridiculous together," she muttered, smirking. "But it helps keep the room from collapsing."
Freya leaned against Endrix. "So, what's the plan? We wait, or we break the door down?"
Endrix shrugged. "I can hack the lock… but maybe we try persuasion first."
Care turned to the group, voice firm. "All jokes aside… she's alone, and this isn't just avoidance. We need to handle this as a group. Everyone has a role. We approach together, no excuses."
Cole stepped closer to her, quietly. "I'll go first," he said. "I know her best. She'll listen to me if anyone can get through."
Nova and Ben were ready together.
Alex and Lyra volunteered for backup support, while Kiefer, JJ, and Ash positioned themselves strategically in the hallway. Freya and Endrix hovered near the stairs for coordination.
Percy and Honey, along with Cin and Rakhi, were tasked with distraction duties—keeping anyone not immediately involved occupied. Honey joked, "Distraction duties? Basically, chaos creators?"
Rakhi laughed. "Perfect! That's literally us."
Ella and Aries quietly monitored communications—phones, door locks, emergency equipment.
Hours passed. The group grew increasingly anxious. They checked every hallway, but Daisy remained silent.
Cole finally whispered, "She's here… I feel it." He placed his hand lightly against the closed door.
Care's hand touched his. "Be calm. We don't rush. We get her to talk first."
Freya muttered to Endrix, "Do you think we should call Joong?"
Endrix shook his head. "No. Let's handle this ourselves first. He'll make it worse by panicking."
Percy grumbled from the corner. "This is why I'm useless in emergencies. I just eat snacks."
Honey nudged him. "You do more than that. You make everyone laugh… for now, that counts."
The mansion felt heavy, almost suffocating. Silence pressed on the group, broken only by the faint ticking of the grandfather clock.
Cole exhaled slowly. "We're going in ten minutes," he said quietly.
Care's gaze swept the room. "Everyone in position?"
"Yes," Nova said firmly.
"Ready," Ben confirmed.
"Agreed," Alex said.
"Prepared," Lyra added.
Kiefer smirked, "Let's rescue a friend before the billion-dollar hospital collapses into chaos."
JJ rolled her eyes but smiled. "Let's move."
The tension was thick. Every second Daisy remained isolated deepened the urgency. The group silently acknowledged that this was more than a simple intervention. This was life or death for her mental state.
And yet, despite the chaos, despite the worry, small glimmers of humor and humanity threaded through the tense mansion: Percy and Honey whispering jokes, Rakhi grinning at every chaotic move, and Freya teasing Endrix quietly to keep her own nerves steady.
Outside Daisy's room, the group paused, standing together as a unit. Nineteen people, all ready, all committed.
Cole pressed his hand to the door again. "We go in now," he said softly.
Care squeezed his shoulder. "Together."
The mansion seemed to hold its breath as they prepared for the confrontation, the night stretching on, heavy with suspense and unspoken emotion.
No one spoke. No one moved. Everyone waited.