Before Ryzel could say another word, the sound of footsteps echoed from the second floor.
"Rozel, Penelope," Romos greeted as he descended the staircase, his presence commanding attention. "Apologies for the delay. I had to take a very important call."
"No worries, Romos," Mr. Clark responded before proceeding to explain the purpose of their visit.
Romos nodded, listening intently before speaking. "Ceres hasn't come home yet," he said casually. "She just informed me that she's out shopping for now, so she might take a while."
That simple statement had an instant effect on Ryzel.
His fingers curled slightly into fists, but he quickly forced himself to relax. Shopping? It was almost two in the afternoon. She had spent the entire night with Zeus, and now she was out shopping?
Like nothing happened?
Like she wasn't his fiancee just a few months ago?
Before he could dwell on the thought any longer, Cielo spoke up, steering the conversation in a different direction.
"While we wait for Ceres, why don't we discuss Ryzel and Ciena's upcoming wedding? The date is fast approaching."
Ryza scoffed, arms crossed over her chest. "Not that it matters since Ceres is sabotaging the wedding anyway."
"Ryza!" Mr. Clark snapped, reprimanding her before she could make things worse. They had come here to smooth things over, not make matters worse with Romos.
But Ryza remained defiant. "What? I'm not wrong! You all know it's the truth."
A tense silence filled the air.
The Clarks exchanged worried glances, concerned that Ryza's outburst might offend Romos.
But Romos merely smiled.
"Ryza," he called out, his voice calm. "You and my daughter have never seen eye to eye, and I have never taken offense when you two exchange insults. You've known each other for years, and I've let you both handle your differences however you see fit. However, what I will not tolerate is anyone laying a hand on my daughter."
Ryza's confidence wavered.
Because Romos was right.
For years, she and Ceres had clashed. They threw insults at each other in front of their families. They never held back their animosity.
And through all of it, Romos had never intervened.
If Romos were the type to cut ties with people who fought with his daughter, the Clarks would have lost their connection to him a long time ago.
But he wasn't unreasonable.
Romos believed Ceres could handle herself emotionally.
Physically, however, was a different matter.
He had never allowed even a fly to land on his daughter without getting rid of it.
Because Ceres could not tolerate pain.
"Let's put this incident behind us," Romos continued. "I know your apology won't be sincere, and I also know that Ceres won't accept it. So let's not waste time on something that won't change the situation. However, I expect you to never repeat what happened yesterday."
Ryza swallowed her pride, lowering her gaze. "I understand, Uncle. I'm sorry, Auntie," she said, this time with genuine remorse.
Cielo smiled warmly. "Don't worry about it, Ryza."
She glanced at Ciena before shifting her focus back to the group. "Now, let's talk about the wedding."
Ciena wanted to talk about the wedding, but she knew there was no point. Without coordinators or wedding vendors, their plans were meaningless.
And if Mr. and Mrs. Clark had their way, they would either postpone the wedding or... worse... cancel it altogether.
So, as always, it was just her and Ryza discussing the preparations.
Ryzel didn't even bother to contribute.
But no matter how much effort the two women put into planning, the wedding wouldn't happen unless Zeus lifted his blacklist from the vendors.
And everyone in the room knew who had the power to change his mind.
In the end, Zeus only got involved because Ceres didn't get what she wanted.
And Zeus always made sure Ceres got what she wanted.
"Mommy! Daddy!"
A sweet, melodic voice echoed from the grand entrance.
Ceres had arrived.
She walked in gracefully, her confidence radiating through the room as she greeted her parents first, planting soft kisses on their cheeks. Then she turned to the Clarks.
"Aunty, Uncle!" She embraced them warmly, her tone filled with familiarity and charm.
And then... her golden eyes flickered toward Ryza and Ryzel.
Her expression changed.
She simply rolled her eyes and arched a perfectly shaped brow, dismissing them without a word.
Ryzel, who had been clenching his fists ever since he arrived, took a sharp breath when he noticed her outfit.
She was wearing an off-shoulder dress.
And on full display were the bite marks on her shoulders.
Zeus's bite marks.
She didn't even bother to hide them.
Ciena, who had been watching quietly, felt betrayed... but she masked it well.
Meanwhile, Ceres?
She smirked... amused.
As if daring Ryzel to say something.
Ceres crossed her legs elegantly and leaned back into a chair.
"So why is everyone here?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery. "Talking about the wedding?"
She made sure to lock eyes with Ciena, Ryza, and Ryzel as she said it.
"Yes, sweetheart," Mrs. Clark answered with an affectionate smile, "but Ryza is also here to apologize for what happened yesterday."
Ceres wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"No offense, Uncle, Aunty."
She turned to Ryza, arching a brow even higher before rolling her eyes dramatically.
"But... yeah, right."
Ryza opened her mouth, ready to fire back, but before she could, a deep, commanding voice interrupted from the doorway.
"Love, your phone is ringing."
All heads turned.
Zeus had entered the room.
And the sight of him made everyone freeze.
Not because of his presence alone... but because of what he looked like.
Zeus Falcon, the most powerful, ruthless, and untouchable bachelor in the entire continent.
The man who could destroy his enemies with a single command.
The man who never bowed to anyone.
He was currently carrying over ten luxury shopping bags in his hands. An expensive cake box. And a woman's designer handbag slung over his shoulder.
Ceres's handbag.
Yet, despite the absurdity of it all...
He did not look uncomfortable.
He did not look ashamed.
He simply looked at Ceres like she was his entire world.
Unfazed. Unintimidated.
He was a man so powerful that he didn't need to prove his masculinity by controlling his woman.
A man strong enough to let a woman like Ceres be exactly who she was.
A man who wasn't afraid of being seen doing something so mundane for the woman he loves.
And Romos Monteverde, who had spent years watching men fail to handle his daughter, took one look at Zeus and thought:
This man.
This is the man worthy of my daughter.