Welcome

Tala's car led the way, followed closely by three convoy vehicles behind them. The four cars moved smoothly along the road, their dark bodies gliding through the morning traffic as they made their way toward the city.

Venisa sat quietly beside him, watching the scenery pass beyond the window.

As they drew closer to the city, the streets became busier. Tall buildings rose around them, while private cars and carriages filled the roads. Yet their convoy continued forward without slowing for long.

Eventually, they arrived at the Montenorie residence.

Venisa's eyes lifted toward the enormous estate.

It was vast.

The property stretched far beyond what she had expected, surrounded by towering iron gates and high stone walls. Beyond the entrance stood a grand mansion with multiple wings, tall arched windows, and massive columns supporting an imposing entrance.

Rows of carefully trimmed trees lined the long driveway, while fountains glittered beneath the morning sunlight.

Several luxury vehicles were already parked along the grounds.

Tala slowed the car as they approached the entrance.

Venisa stared through the window.

Tala gave a quiet laugh.

“The Montenorie family doesn't know how to celebrate modestly.”

The gates opened.

Their convoy passed through, disappearing into the sprawling grounds of the Montenorie estate.

As their car came to a smooth stop before the grand entrance, the three convoy vehicles settled behind them in perfect formation.

A private butler immediately approached and opened Tala's door.

“Welcome to the Montenorie residence, Lord Tala.”

Tala stepped out and adjusted the sleeve of his tuxedo before turning toward Venisa.

Another butler opened her door.

“Lady Venisa, it is an honor to welcome you.”

Venisa stepped out gracefully, the hem of her sapphire gown sweeping lightly across the polished stone beneath her. She offered the butler a courteous nod.

“Thank you.”

More members of the household stood along the entrance, dressed impeccably in black and white. They greeted each arriving guest with practiced warmth, their manners polished from years of serving the Montenorie family.

Tala glanced around at the grand gathering.

“They certainly prepared for this,” he murmured.

Venisa gave him a subtle look.

He offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”

Venisa placed her hand lightly on his arm.

Together, they walked toward the enormous doors of the Montenorie residence, welcomed by the household as the celebration unfolded inside.

As Tala and Venisa stepped into the grand reception hall, the quiet murmur of conversation seemed to shift around them.

Several guests turned their heads.

Some recognized Tala immediately, but it was Venisa who drew the lingering glances.

Whispers began spreading through the crowd.

“Isn't that the Baroness?”

“Lady Venisa?”

“I heard she rarely attends gatherings like this.”

“She looks different tonight.”

“She always does. The woman hardly needs to make an effort to command attention.”

Others exchanged curious looks, remembering the reputation of the secluded baroness and the old family name she carried.

“The Montenorie invitation must have been important if she actually came.”

“I thought she disliked these occasions.”

“She does. That's what makes this surprising.”

Venisa continued forward as though she heard none of it. Her expression remained calm, her posture perfectly composed.

A few guests watched her with open curiosity, but then one voice lowered into a more intriguing subject.

“Isn't it strange, though?”

“What is?”

“The baronesses of that family never seem to marry.”

The woman beside him glanced toward Venisa.

“Never?”

“Not in the usual way. There is no husband beside them, yet somehow, there is always an heir to inherit the estate.”

Another guest frowned thoughtfully.

“I've heard the same thing. Every generation has a baroness, but no one seems to know where the next heir comes from.”

“That is what makes the title so mysterious.”

A quiet murmur passed between them.

“Perhaps there is some old family tradition.”

“No one knows for certain.”

Their eyes drifted toward Venisa.

She continued walking beside Tala, seemingly unaware of the conversation behind her.

Or perhaps she had heard every word and simply chose not to acknowledge it.

Tala noticed the change in the whispers and glanced toward the guests.

“People do love mysteries,” he murmured.

The whispers continued, growing bolder as the guests became more curious about the woman in the sapphire gown.

“Perhaps about the previous baronesses.”

“Donna Victoria?”

At the mention of the name, several guests exchanged knowing looks.

“Her grandmother,” one of them murmured. “Donna Victoria was the previous Baroness.”

“And what about her daughter?”

“Virgo.”

The name made Venisa's steps slow for the briefest moment.

Her mother.

“Virgo was supposed to carry the family name after Donna Victoria,” a guest continued quietly. “But she died before she could ever inherit the title.”

“That family is peculiar,” someone whispered. “Donna Victoria had no husband. Virgo died before becoming Baroness. Then Venisa inherited the title herself.”

“And yet there has always been an heir.”

“That's what I don't understand.”

The guests glanced toward Venisa, their curiosity deepening.

“No husband. No ordinary succession. Yet somehow, the line continues.”

“Perhaps there is an old family tradition.”

“Or perhaps there is something about that title that outsiders were never meant to understand.”

Venisa continued walking beside Tala, her expression perfectly composed.

But the mention of her mother had changed something in her eyes.

And no one in the room seemed to know the truth behind it.

As Tala and Venisa entered the grand reception hall, a distinguished older man approached them.

It was Don Rafael Montenorie—the patriarch of the Montenorie family and the man whose birthday had brought half of the city's prominent families beneath his roof.

Despite his age, he carried himself with an imposing dignity. His silvering hair was neatly combed, and his dark formal suit was perfectly tailored to his broad frame. Years of authority had settled naturally into his expression.

When he reached them, he offered Tala a warm but dignified smile.

“Lord Tala. I'm glad you came.”

Tala immediately straightened and offered a respectful nod.

“Don Rafael. Happy birthday. Thank you for the invitation.”

Rafael then turned his attention to Venisa.

“Baronnes.”

Venisa gracefully inclined her head.

“Don Rafael. Happy birthday.”

The Don smiled.

“And it is a pleasure to see you here. I had begun to wonder whether you still remembered how to attend a celebration.”

A faint smile touched Venisa's lips.

“I remember. I simply don't attend them often.”

Rafael chuckled. “I've heard.”

Tala glanced between them, amused.

“Come. Enjoy yourselves tonight. The Montenorie family would be honored to have you both as our guests.”

Venisa nodded politely.

“Thank you.”

Rafael gave them one final approving smile before turning to greet the next arriving guests.

From across the grand reception hall, Venisa's attention was caught by the tall, imposing figure of a man standing among the guests.

It was Code.

He stood several heads above those around him, his broad shoulders filling the perfectly tailored black tuxedo he wore. His posture was relaxed, yet there was something commanding about the way he carried himself. He did not need to speak or seek attention.

He simply stood there, and somehow, the room seemed to notice him.

Then she noticed the woman standing beside him.

A beautiful woman was clinging comfortably to his arm, her fingers resting against his sleeve as though she belonged there. She wore an elegant gown that suited the grandeur of the evening, and her confidence suggested she was no stranger to the Montenorie household.

Venisa recognized her immediately.

Ruby