3: The First Rule

Chapter 3

The First Rule

The next morning, the Kornnaphat mansion looked as elegant as ever.

Fresh flowers decorated every hallway.

Servants moved quietly through the house.

Breakfast was served exactly at eight.

Nothing appeared out of place.

Yet everyone could feel it.

Something had changed.

Lina walked into the dining room wearing a cream blouse and tailored black trousers. Her hair was tied neatly, and her expression carried the same confidence that had intimidated board members for years.

She stopped the moment she saw Aria.

The woman was already seated, reading a tablet while drinking black coffee.

“You start work before sunrise?”

Aria looked up.

“I never stopped.”

Lina rolled her eyes.

“You really don’t know how to relax.”

“I do.”

“When?”

“When the danger is gone.”

Lina pulled out her chair.

“Then you’ll never relax.”

A faint smile almost appeared on Aria’s face before disappearing just as quickly.

Almost.

Lina noticed it.

Interesting.

Maybe the woman wasn’t made entirely of stone.

Eleanor entered moments later.

“I have arranged today’s board meeting at headquarters.”

Lina nodded.

“I’ll leave in an hour.”

“No.”

The answer came from Aria.

Lina looked at her.

“No?”

“I’ve changed your schedule.”

“My schedule?”

“You’ll leave in thirty minutes.”

“I decide my schedule.”

“Not anymore.”

Lina laughed.

“You really enjoy giving orders.”

“I enjoy keeping people alive.”

Eleanor calmly buttered her toast.

“I suggest you cooperate, Lina.”

Lina looked between the two women.

“So both of you have teamed up against me.”

“No,” Eleanor replied.

“I hired her because you never listen to me.”

…

Outside the mansion, three identical black SUVs waited near the entrance.

Lina frowned.

“I only use one car.”

“Today you’re using three.”

“Why?”

“So nobody knows which vehicle you’re in.”

“This isn’t a spy movie.”

Aria opened the rear door.

“Get inside.”

Lina crossed her arms.

“What if I refuse?”

“I’ll carry you.”

The guards nearby immediately looked away, pretending not to hear.

Lina narrowed her eyes.

“You wouldn’t.”

Aria simply waited.

There wasn’t a hint of doubt in her expression.

Lina sighed dramatically.

“I officially dislike you.”

“I know.”

She climbed into the SUV.

Aria followed.

The convoy pulled away from the mansion.

…

Halfway through the drive, Lina glanced out the window.

“You’re checking every mirror.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve looked at that silver sedan six times.”

“It’s looked at us seven.”

Lina turned slightly.

The silver car stayed several vehicles behind.

“You think it’s following us?”

“I don’t think.”

“You know?”

“I’ll know in three minutes.”

The convoy suddenly turned left.

Then right.

Then entered an underground parking garage.

The silver sedan drove straight past without slowing.

Aria relaxed slightly.

“Not our problem.”

Lina stared.

“You planned that?”

“It was the quickest way to find out.”

“You test every car?”

“Every suspicious one.”

Lina shook her head.

“You really are paranoid.”

“No.”

Aria’s eyes returned to the road.

“I’m alive because I’m careful.”

…

Kornnaphat Group headquarters towered over the city.

Employees immediately stood as Lina entered the executive floor.

“Good morning, Miss Kornnaphat.”

“Morning.”

Whispers spread the moment they noticed Aria walking beside her.

“Who’s she?”

“Security?”

“I heard someone attacked Miss Lina.”

“Is she military?”

Lina ignored the curious looks.

She hated unnecessary attention.

As she approached the boardroom, an older man smiled warmly.

“Lina.”

She smiled back.

“Uncle Victor.”

Victor Kornnaphat wasn’t actually her uncle.

He had been her father’s closest friend and one of the company’s senior directors.

He had practically watched Lina grow up.

He opened his arms.

Before he could hug her, Aria stepped between them.

Victor blinked.

“What is this?”

“No physical contact.”

Victor laughed.

“I’ve known Lina since she was five.”

Aria remained expressionless.

“And today you’re a potential threat until cleared.”

The entire hallway became silent.

Victor slowly lowered his arms.

Lina pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I’m sorry.”

Victor chuckled.

“Interesting bodyguard.”

“Annoying bodyguard.”

Aria ignored both of them.

…

The board meeting lasted nearly three hours.

Profits.

Expansion.

New investments.

Everything seemed perfectly normal.

Until one director cleared his throat.

“I have a concern.”

Lina looked up.

“Go ahead.”

“Considering yesterday’s incident, perhaps your appointment as CEO should be postponed.”

The room fell silent.

Another director nodded.

“It may not be safe.”

Lina felt irritation rising.

“So because someone tried to kill me, I should surrender?”

“No one is saying that.”

“It certainly sounds like it.”

Victor spoke calmly.

“Lina has earned this position.”

Several members agreed.

Others remained quiet.

Aria stood silently near the door.

Watching.

Listening.

Observing everyone.

One director kept tapping his pen against the table.

Another avoided eye contact.

A third constantly checked his phone.

Small details.

Most people ignored them.

Aria never did.

…

After the meeting ended, Lina walked onto the rooftop terrace to clear her mind.

The city stretched endlessly beneath her.

“You handled that well.”

She didn’t turn around.

“I know you’re there.”

Aria joined her beside the railing.

“You were angry.”

“I had every right.”

“Yes.”

Lina looked at her.

“You always agree with facts.”

“I don’t argue with truth.”

For several moments neither spoke.

The breeze carried the distant sounds of traffic.

Finally Lina asked,

“Do you trust people easily?”

“No.”

“Anyone?”

Aria thought for a moment.

“My younger sister.”

“You have a sister?”

“I did.”

Lina noticed it immediately.

Did.

Past tense.

Before she could ask anything else, Aria’s phone vibrated.

She answered instantly.

Her expression changed.

“What happened?”

A voice spoke rapidly on the other end.

Aria’s eyes sharpened.

“When?”

She listened.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

The call ended.

“What is it?”

Aria looked directly at Lina.

“Someone entered your bedroom.”

Lina’s heart skipped a beat.

“What?”

“The security team found signs of an intruder.”

“But the mansion is locked.”

“It was.”

Aria’s voice became colder than Lina had ever heard.

“Someone wanted you to know they can reach you.”

Without another word, she grabbed Lina’s wrist.

“We’re leaving.”

As they hurried toward the elevator, neither of them noticed the figure standing across the street.

Watching them through a camera lens.

Smiling.

And quietly taking another photograph.