My jaw dropped.
Eyes wide, I stood frozen in front of the mansion.
Tall iron gates stood open as if they had been expecting me.
Beyond them, a long stone pathway stretched ahead, lined with trimmed hedges and soft golden lights glowing along the edges. At the end—
The mansion.
Massive. Polished. Almost unreal.
Warm lights spilled from the tall windows, reflecting off marble pillars and glass panels. It didn't just look expensive—
It looked… untouchable.
"Now it's starting to feel like I'm really inside a novel…"
The words slipped out under my breath.
But then—
A strange uneasiness crept in.
"…Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
My fingers tightened slightly around my phone.
And then—
It hit me.
My eyes widened.
No… it can't be, right?
Sure, they weren't the only rich people in this world.
There had to be others.
Right?
…Right?
But then—
A name surfaced, Felix.
The voice from the call echoed in my head—
"…I want the best for my little Felix."
The ground beneath me felt like it shifted.
"…No way."
A chill ran down my spine.
Felix.
Alex's younger brother.
The same Felix who was barely mentioned in the novel ..is that why I didn't realize it sooner…
No.
No, no—none of that mattered right now.
For a split second—
I actually considered turning around.
Running.
Pretending I never came.
"This way, ma'am."
I froze.
A uniformed servant had already approached, gesturing politely toward the entrance.
N-no.
The refusal got stuck halfway.
I couldn't even say it properly. Now there was no way out
I followed.
Each step inside made my uneasiness grow.
The interior was even more overwhelming than the outside.
High ceilings stretched above me, chandeliers hanging like pieces of art, their soft light reflecting off polished marble floors.
The air itself felt different—clean, quiet… controlled.
My eyes moved constantly, taking everything in without meaning to.
This is insane…
I kept my expression as neutral as possible, but inside—
I was screaming.
Think. Think of a way to leave.
I subtly glanced around, searching for an excuse, an exit—anything that could get me out before I ran into someone I shouldn't.
Then—
voices.
A few servants stood at a distance, speaking quietly among themselves.
"The young masters are out today."
"Pool party, I think."
I paused.
…Out?
Relief washed over me instantly.
Thank god.
At least I wouldn't have to face them.
That alone made this situation a little more bearable.
I would tell him I can't do it and successfully walk away… yes, that would be it.
Just as I settled on that thought, it was interrupted when a man stepped forward, and the servant beside me quietly excused himself, leaving without another word—as if this moment was meant to happen without witnesses.