Late Night, 9:00 PM – Ritch Grandparents' Estate
The Ritch grandparents' estate nestled in a lush valley, its ivy-draped stone mansion blending with ancient oaks and wildflower meadows glowing under moonlight. A creek's soft murmur mingled with rustling leaves, the air thick with pine and honeysuckle, tying the estate to the wild.
Valor's silver car slipped through the main gate, headlights catching a hooded girl darting through the pedestrian gate by the willows. Her face hidden, she vanished into the thicket. Curious but dismissive, Valor parked near cedars and strode to the mansion, the mossy path soft underfoot. Aidan Raff's dealer freeze at Tonight Enterprises gnawed at him, and his grandparents' vague summons hinted at urgency.
The foyer glowed with wooden beams and a stone fireplace, vines trailing from planters. In the sitting room, Harold and Evelyn sat by a river-rock fireplace, their silence sharp. Harold scanned a newspaper, Evelyn sipped tea from a ceramic mug—they were irked by Valor's late arrival.
"Late, and you're icing me out?" Valor quipped, leaning in the doorway.
No reply. Harold turned a page. Evelyn smoothed her leaf-stitched shawl.
Grinning, Valor sank into a woven chair. "Grandpa, reading newspapers at midnight? What, you hunting for late-night gossip or just practicing for the grumpy old man audition?"
Harold's lips twitched, amusement flickering. "Careful, boy, or I'll make you read the obituaries."
Evelyn snorted, setting her mug down. "He's got you there, Harold."
Valor teased, "Bet you're just rereading the sports page, hoping your team won in the moonlight."
Harold laughed, folding the paper. "You're a pest, Valor." He leaned back. "Alright, you're back in. Our cute angel was here until you showed up. We wanted to introduce you to her."
Valor raised an eyebrow, picturing a neighbor's kid his grandparents had bonded with. "Your cute angel, huh?"
Evelyn's eyes sparkled mysteriously. "Something like that. She's special."
Valor chuckled, standing and buttoning his jacket. "Sorry, Grandpa, next time I'll come early to meet your cute angel. Wouldn't want to miss the kid who's got you both wrapped around her finger."
Harold's gaze sharpened, but he nodded. "You'd do well to meet her. She's sharper than you think."
Valor frowned, sensing a deeper meaning, but let it slide. "Anything else?"
Harold shook his head. "Just don't keep us waiting next time."
Valor flashed a half-smile. "Night. Don't stay up reading the funnies."
Evelyn's laugh trailed him. Outside, his grandparents' cryptic "angel" swirled in his mind. He glanced at the willows where the hooded girl had vanished, then drove off, the estate's wild beauty fading.
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Late Night, 9:30 PM – Raff Family Mansion
The Raff family mansion stood grand on a manicured hill, its chandeliers casting warm light through tall windows. Inside, the grand hall shimmered with opulence, a stark contrast to the quiet night outside.
Linta slipped through the front door, her hoodie pulled tight, her steps light but hurried. Aidan, lounging on a plush sofa with a tablet, glanced up, his sharp blue eyes narrowing. "Linta, where've you been? It's late."
Linta froze, then flashed a casual smile. "Just out with some friends, lost track of time. You know how it goes." She shrugged, sidestepping toward the staircase.
Aidan's brow furrowed, unconvinced, but she was already halfway up the stairs. "Night, Aidan!" she called, disappearing to her room.
Aidan turned to his father, Christopher Raff, who sat in an armchair across the hall, flipping through a business journal. "Papa, why aren't you asking her why she's sneaking in late?"
Christopher's eyes flicked up, a knowing glint in them. "She's fine, Aidan. Young people need their space." His tone was calm, dismissive, but carried a weight that suggested he knew more than he let on.
Aidan leaned forward, suspicion flaring. "You know where she was, don't you?"
Christopher closed his journal, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I trust her to handle herself. You should too." He stood, patting Aidan's shoulder, and headed upstairs, leaving Aidan staring after him, questions unanswered.
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To be continued…