Chapter 114: A Sweet Memory

The drive back to the estate was unusually quiet.

The lights of Greendale blurred past the car windows while Mindy leaned against the seat, exhausted.

Vivian, sitting beside the driver, stole a glance at her through the rearview mirror. "You look tired, Miss Wilson."

Mindy smiled faintly. "It was a long day."

"Miss Wilson, why did you help them?" Vivian asked quietly. "They’re strangers. You could have walked away without anyone blaming you. You didn’t have to get involved."

Mindy looked at her but didn’t answer immediately. For a moment, her gaze drifted toward the dark street beyond the window.

Then she said softly, "Because I know what despair feels like. I know what it’s like to believe there’s no one left to stand beside you."

Her expression grew distant.

"I know what it feels like to lose the person closest to your heart and think there’s nothing left worth living for. I wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone."

She lowered her eyes, remembering more than she was willing to say.

"When I saw that brother and sister being attacked, I couldn’t just stand there and watch. They hadn’t done anything to deserve it. It wasn’t fair."

Mindy turned back toward Vivian.

"So if I have the chance to save someone from a life filled with suffering, why wouldn’t I?"

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to reach out a hand to keep someone from falling into the darkness."

Neither of them spoke after that.

By the time they reached the estate, it was almost ten at night. As soon as they stepped inside, cheerful laughter echoed through the living room.

Mindy paused. "...Layla?"

Vivian merely shrugged. "I have no idea."

They walked inside. Sure enough—Layla and Zac were sitting at the dining table surrounded by half-finished dinner plates, laughing over something only the two of them understood.

Mindy deliberately cleared her throat. Both of them froze.

Layla immediately sat up straight. "M-Mindy!" She looked almost guilty. "When did you get back?"

Vivian politely greeted everyone. "Good evening." Without waiting, she excused herself. "I’ll head to my room." She quietly disappeared towards the cottage.

Mindy walked over and sat opposite the two. "I just got back." She glanced between them before smirking. "I hope I’m not interrupting."

Layla quickly shook her head. "No!"

Zac coughed awkwardly. "We were just having dinner."

Mindy stole a french fry from Layla’s plate. "Clearly."

Layla narrowed her eyes. "That’s mine."

"You snooze, you lose."

Zac couldn’t help laughing. The warm atmosphere instantly returned.

After stealing another bite from Layla’s plate, Mindy finally spoke. "Tomorrow afternoon... Let’s meet at Matthias’ estate."

Layla blinked. "Why?"

"We’re making strawberry shortcake."

Zac nearly dropped his fork. "...We’re what?"

Mindy nodded seriously. "Strawberry shortcake."

Zac looked genuinely confused. "But... that’s..." He hesitated.

Mindy smiled. "I know. That’s exactly why."

Understanding slowly dawned on Zac, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

"I’ll be there."

Layla looked between them, completely confused. "What’s happening?"

Mindy leaned back in her chair. "It wouldn’t be as much fun if we simply ordered one. We’re going to make it ourselves."

Layla pointed at herself in disbelief. "You expect me to cook? I can barely prepare instant noodles."

Mindy grinned. "Perfect. We can all fail together."

Layla crossed her arms, a competitive glint appearing in her eyes. "Oh, really? Challenge accepted."

The three of them burst into laughter.

After a while, Layla suddenly glanced around the room. "Where’s Amelia?"

"I left her to take care of something important," Mindy replied casually.

Layla nodded, accepting the explanation without question, then quickly changed the subject.

"Oh... we’ve uncovered something about Veloura Fashion."

Mindy’s interest was immediate. "What is it?"

Layla sighed and shook her head. "They’re just as mysterious as Aurielle Diamonds. I still haven’t been able to identify their founder. Every inquiry leads back to another representative, and none of them seem to know anything substantial. We don’t even have a single solid lead."

Mindy nodded thoughtfully. "I met Victoria Bennett today. After seeing her in action, I understand why Aurielle Diamonds has remained so successful. She’s highly capable, sharp, and ruthless. Exactly the kind of executive you would expect to be running a company of that size."

Her expression grew serious.

"We need to find out who is behind both companies—and we need to do it soon."

Layla’s gaze hardened. "And we also need to learn how they’re connected to Emily and Missy."

Mindy nodded. "Exactly."

Zac, who had been sitting quietly nearby, cleared his throat.

"...Maybe I can help."

Both women turned toward him.

Layla tilted her head. "You can?"

Zac smiled. "I know a few people. I’ll see what I can find."

Layla’s eyes brightened. "Really?"

"Anything for you."

Layla’s cheeks instantly turned pink.

Mindy looked between the two before smiling to herself. "I suddenly feel very sleepy."

Both of them immediately looked embarrassed.

"I’ll leave you two alone."

"Mindy!" Layla protested.

Mindy laughed and stood. "Don’t forget. Tomorrow."

Both nodded. "Good night."

The Next Afternoon

Royal Estate. Matthias’ Residence.

The enormous modern kitchen had never felt so lively. Bowls of fresh strawberries, bags of flour, cartons of cream, blocks of butter, and bottles of vanilla were spread across the marble island. Everything they needed for the cake had been measured and prepared beforehand.

Matthias rolled up his sleeves and surveyed the group.

"All right. Everyone has a job."

Mindy raised her hand with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I volunteer to supervise."

"Seconded," Layla said immediately.

Matthias gave them both an unimpressed look. "Rejected."

He picked up a small knife and handed it to Mindy. "You’ll wash and slice the strawberries."

Mindy glanced at the knife, then at the bowl of fruit. "That’s all?"

"That’s all."

He turned to Layla. "You’ll whip the cream."

Layla nodded confidently. "I can handle that."

"Zac will help you."

Zac obediently moved to Layla’s side and picked up the bowl.

Mindy immediately frowned. "Why does she get help?"

"And what about me?"

"I’ll help you."

Her expression brightened at once. "Fine. That arrangement is acceptable."

Matthias shook his head, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

At last, they began. Or, more accurately, they attempted to begin.

Within five minutes, the kitchen had already descended into cheerful chaos.

Layla held the bowl while Zac measured the cream. Mindy stood beside Matthias, carefully slicing the strawberries under his watchful eye. Unfortunately, her attention kept drifting toward the other side of the island.

"Layla, don’t add all the sugar at once!" she called.

Layla paused with the measuring cup in her hand. "Why not?"

"Because you’ll make the cream too sweet."

"You’re the one who volunteered to supervise," Layla reminded her. "Supervise quietly."

"I’m supervising perfectly."

Matthias glanced at the uneven strawberry slices on Mindy’s cutting board. "Are you sure about that?"

Mindy quickly covered the mess with her arm. "I’m supervising everyone else. My own work doesn’t count."

Nearby, Zac quietly rescued the cream before it overflowed. Matthias silently took the bowl away from Mindy before she accidentally added salt instead of sugar.

The kitchen slowly turned into complete chaos. Flour somehow ended up on Layla’s face. Moments later, Mindy retaliated. A tiny puff of flour landed on Layla’s nose.

Layla gasped. "Oh. It’s war."

Five minutes later, both women looked like walking bakeries. Zac laughed so hard he nearly dropped the whisk. Matthias simply shook his head with a smile.

"This was your idea."

Mindy looked completely innocent. "We’re doing great."

Layla nodded proudly. "We’re professionals."

Zac looked around at the disaster. "Professionals? Really?"

Eventually, the men quietly finished assembling the cake while the women were banned from touching anything else.

Half an hour later, a beautiful strawberry shortcake rested on the kitchen counter. Everyone applauded themselves anyway. Because despite everything... they had actually done it.

They carried the cake outside onto the balcony. The cool evening breeze drifted through the garden. The four of them laughed while sharing slices.

For the first time in years, Matthias wasn’t spending this day alone.

Every year, on his mother’s birthday, he would sit quietly with a bottle of whiskey. Remembering. Regretting. Missing.

Today, there was laughter. Arguments over whipped cream. Flour-covered faces. The smell of fresh strawberries.

It reminded him of childhood. Of standing beside his mother in a kitchen. Of tiny hands trying to help while she laughed beside him.

It had been so many years that Matthias had almost forgotten what happiness felt like on this day.

Eventually, Zac and Layla left, leaving only Mindy and Matthias on the balcony. Neither of them spoke. The silence between them was not awkward. It was calm, almost comforting.

Matthias gazed out at the city lights.

"...Thank you."

Mindy turned toward him. "For what?"

"For today," he said quietly. "For giving me this memory."

Mindy stood and walked over to him. Without saying anything, she reached up and gently removed his silver mask. Her fingers brushed against the scar on his face.

"You don’t have to hide from me" she said.

For a moment, Matthias forgot to breathe.

"It was only a cake," Mindy continued softly. "But I’m glad you smiled today."

Matthias lowered his gaze. Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her. His hold tightened as though he was afraid the moment might disappear.

A single tear slipped down his cheek. It wasn’t from sadness. It was relief.

Mindy noticed, but she didn’t mention it. She simply rested a hand against his back and rubbed it gently.

After a long while, she whispered, "Next year, we’ll make another one. And the year after that. Then every year after."

Matthias rested his cheek against her shoulder.

"...I’d like that."

For the first time in many years, his mother’s birthday did not end in loneliness.

It ended with the quiet possibility of hope.