Chapter 3

The next morning, I was woken by hurried footsteps.

Father stood in the main hall, face grave, listening to his men report.

"Don, we intercepted a few messages. Someone leaked the young master's and young lady's locations. That's what led to yesterday evening's ambush."

"There's a mole in the family..."

Father's face went dark in an instant.

He slammed his palm on the table, barely containing his fury.

"The social banquet is in two days. This cannot get out. If it does, we become a laughingstock to every other family!"

"Lock down the estate. Investigate quietly. Without a pass authorized by me, no one leaves. Not a single step!"

Standing at my door, my heart clenched hard.

I'd already set a meeting point with Ella.

But if I couldn't get out of the estate, the whole plan fell apart.

I racked my brain all day, drowning in anxiety.

By evening, another fight broke out in the main hall.

My brother kicked over a chair, fury in his voice.

"Why is Sophia the only one giving a speech at the banquet? Why don't I get a chance to show myself?"

Father let out a long sigh, irritation creeping into his tone.

"Sophia loves to talk. The bigger the crowd, the more fired up she gets."

"You, Luca, you're reserved. Speaking at an event like that, you'll most likely stutter."

"I'm protecting your pride here."

My brother wouldn't let it go. He went wild, smashing furniture.

"That's not fair! Why does she get to shine in front of everyone while I stay behind the scenes?"

"You're just playing favorites with Sophia!"

Father shook his head. His gaze landed on me, tucked in the corner.

He spoke, voice cold.

"Lily, didn't you and your director friend make a film a while back?"

"The night of the banquet, we'll screen it publicly. Say Luca made it."

"That way, the other families will recognize his talent too."

My heart dropped.

"Father, that was years of my work. It's Ella's too..."

"What do you need all that vanity for?"

Father cut me off, impatient.

"Lily, Luca and Sophia are evenly matched right now. Any unfairness will tip the balance between them."

"I need both my children to have equal chances to present themselves."

Then what about me?

The words nearly flew out of my mouth on instinct.

But I held them back.

A bold plan flashed through my mind.

"Fine. I'll give it."

I stepped forward and looked Father in the eye.

"But there's a process. It has to go through proper channels."

"The film rights can't be transferred to an individual. I want to sell it to the Moretti family as a family asset."

"So please, Father. Sign a copyright transfer consent form."

My brother let out a cold sneer.

"We're family and you're still haggling over money? You're that broke?"

I ignored him. I turned, went to the study, printed the document, and placed it in front of Father.

Father said nothing. He was too eager to pacify my tantrum throwing brother.

He didn't even glance at what was on the paper. He yanked out his pen and signed his name in a rush.

Then he tossed the pen aside and turned to my brother.

"There. You've got your spot at the banquet."

Joy flooded my brother's face. He shot me a taunting look.

I said nothing. I just fought to keep my expression calm.

After they left, I quietly removed the top page. The "Copyright Transfer Agreement."

Then I took the pass underneath it, already signed, and folded it without a sound, tucking it into my pocket.

The moment my fingers touched that paper, something to hold onto surged through me.

I looked around. The air in this estate was still suffocating.

But I knew. My dawn was almost here.

I finally had a chance to escape this cage for good.