Mixed-Blood in a Gender Role Reversed World - Chapter 54

 Chapter 54 : Withering Flower (1)

The woman walked down the corridor of the mansion.  

The hallway was dark.  

Not a single speck of artificial light existed.  

Only the moonlight streaming through the glass windows on either side illuminated the path she had to take.  

"…."  

As she turned the corner, she saw figures standing like statues.  

Her expression soured.  

Every time she came to this villa, every time she passed through this corridor,  

her nerves were always on edge, but her steps grew cautious regardless.  

*Click, click.*  

Her heels echoed as she approached the door at the far end.  

The closer she got, the more she felt the stinging gazes on her.  

She wanted to rip out their eyes for daring to look at her like that, but she couldn’t.  

“What brings you here?”  

“…Tell the boss Olga Fonda is here. It’s about that matter.”  

Among the countless Requiem Sisters, she was part of the elite guard handpicked by the boss.  

The woman who questioned her paused, seemingly in thought, before bowing in respect.  

Finally, the proper treatment she deserved.  

Just as her sharp nose bridge lifted with a hint of pride behind her gold-rimmed glasses, the other woman spoke.  

“Ah, I received orders earlier. Please wait a moment.”  

Without looking back, the woman gestured, and two others hurriedly approached to grasp the door handles.  

*Creak.*  

In the corridor, where the only sound had been the wind rattling the windows, the grating noise of wood scraping against wood echoed unpleasantly.  

“My apologies. You may enter.”  

“…Thanks.”  

The door opened just wide enough for one person to slip through.  

She stepped into the grand, elegant, and classically styled room.  

But, as if reflecting its owner’s state of mind, the fireplace, once blazing red, was now dead, leaving only blackened ashes.  

*Hmph.*  

Suppressing a sigh, she inhaled, and a mix of scents assaulted her senses.  

The sharp tang of strong vodka lingered in the air, intertwined with the floral fragrance of a woman who wore no perfume.  

Fonda approached quietly, confirming the source of the scent before speaking.  

“I’m here… Boss.”  

“….”  

Empty liquor bottles rolled about, and soaked papers were strewn across a massive desk.  

The woman, who had been resting her head on the cluttered desk, slowly lifted her gaze to meet Fonda’s.  

Fonda’s heart pounded fiercely under the dangerous glint in her eyes.  

*Thump, thump.*  

Her ashen hair, tinged with the chill of a foggy dawn, framed her face.  

Through the fine strands, her golden eyes shone, framed by long lashes.  

Those eyes were both proof and reason for why 'he' was still alive.  

Yet, they were also the reason she both hated and craved his love.  

It seemed anyone with those eyes was far from normal.  

(Otherwise, how could both siblings be so utterly insane?)  

*Rustle.*  

As the woman brushed her bangs back, her face was revealed.  

A face so flawless it could only have been carved by a god—an epitome of beauty that would leave even divinity in awe.  

And then, the tattoo etched along her eye.  

*+APHRODITE+*  

A phrase so fitting for the boss, yet chilling when one considered why it was there.  

Her hollow eyes and deep shadows spoke of ruin, yet they did nothing to diminish her beauty.  

Fonda, momentarily captivated, bowed deeply in respect.  

“I have something to report.”  

“…Speak.”  

Her blood-red lips parted slightly, granting permission.  

Fonda forced her stiff tongue to move.  

“It seems… he’s found a new woman.”  

“….”  

Without a word, the boss lifted a glass to her lips.  

It was likely potent vodka, yet the half-filled glass vanished in moments as she tilted her head back.  

Her visibly troubled demeanor prompted Fonda to quickly add,  

“Shall I handle it like last time…?”  

“…Don’t touch her.”  

The boss’s pained voice issued the command, leaving Fonda puzzled.  

For a moment, she wondered if the boss was finally thinking rationally.  

“Understood.”  

“Fonda, why did Shasha do that to me? Was it my fault?”  

“…No, it wasn’t.”  

Of course not. She still didn’t realize what she’d done wrong.  

Fonda wanted to scream: (You killed his lover and his mother do you think he’d ever come back to you now?)

*Clench.*  

Her teeth ground at the thought of him.

Even though she now held this position, he had been here simply because of his bloodline.  

If only those two psychopathic siblings, beautiful only on the outside, would just die.  

As Fonda’s glasses trembled on her nose, the boss spoke again.  

“Is that all?”  

“Yes? Oh, no. You’re not at fault, Boss…”  

(Damn it. Was my response too short?)

As Fonda broke into a cold sweat, trying to continue, the boss raised a hand to stop her.  

“I meant, is your report finished, Fonda?”  

She smiled faintly.  

Fonda’s hairs stood on end.  

Danger. This was dangerous.  

“N-no, there’s more. The next matter concerns the club he frequents… As I reported before…”  

“The one run by Yujin, right? It’s been a while.” 

“Yes… Your interpreter is by his side, but she alone can’t stop  Yujin. Should we pull her out now?”  

“Is Shasha likely to make a move?”  

“It’s highly possible.”  

The boss nodded slightly, deep in thought.  

Catching her cue, Fonda moved to the next topic.  

“And you asked me to remind you…”  

“About what?”  

“Your father’s… memorial.”  

“Oh.”  

A chill ran through Fonda at the boss’s nonchalant reaction.  

How could someone fall so far?  

But what terrified her more was knowing this wasn’t the end.  

“Which one?”  

“…Yours, of course.”  

“Good. I’d have been pissed otherwise.”  

“Haha, good thing then. May I leave now?”  

Fonda asked cautiously, and the boss smiled again.  

“Fonda.”  

“Yes… Boss?”  

“Forget the club matter. I’ve changed my mind.”  

“What? Why suddenly…?”  

“Because I hate him again.”  

Fonda could only nod in compliance.  

Leaving the room, she wiped the sweat from her forehead as she walked down the corridor.  

Before getting into the waiting car, she muttered under her breath.  

“…Crazy bitch.”  

The night breeze in the Siberian city of Tomsk was cold.  

---

I froze for a moment upon entering the house, sensing an unfamiliar atmosphere.  

The cramped room, usually bustling with people, felt oddly spacious with no one around.  

“Not bad… but why does it feel so awkward?”  

Had I already grown attached?  

I flopped onto the bed, trying to act nonchalant, but the feeling didn’t last.  

“…What am I even doing?”  

Sighing, I called my aunt.  

*Ring, ring… Click.*  

“Hey, what’s up? You calling me first?”  

“…Just wondering where you are.”  

“Cute kid. Be honest, you’re worried about me, aren’t you?”

“Something like that.”  

“….”  

My blunt reply brought a brief silence, broken by a cough on the other end.  

“Got me there. Cut the sweet talk.”  

“It’s not—”  

“Enough, enough. You asked where I am, right?”  

Her voice sounded flustered as she changed the subject.  

“I’m checking on the house for a bit. Lock the door, and if anyone suspicious knocks, call me immediately. I might be back late.”  

“Got it.”  

*Click.*  

I hung up and remembered my plans with Hayul 8 PM, at the park near the house.  

“It’s about 5 PM now… Maybe a quick nap.”  

---

I was running.  

It was past 8:20 PM, and the darkening sky only added to the mess of this situation.  

Why didn’t my alarm go off?  

Checking my phone, there wasn’t a single missed call.  

Knowing Hayul, she was probably waiting patiently without a single complaint.  

Overwhelmed with guilt, I sent a quick text saying I’d be there soon and grabbed a coffee from a convenience store.  

Clutching the plastic bag, I sprinted until I spotted Hayul.  

She was sitting on a park bench, staring aimlessly at the sky.  

(Is something really wrong?)

Her forlorn appearance suggested something serious.  

I steadied my breathing and approached slowly.  

Even as I got closer, she didn’t notice me, still gazing upward.  

(Come to think of it… I should call her ‘Noona.’ I’ll bring it up later.)

“…Noona.”  

“Oh, Se-hwa! When did you get here?”  

“Just now. Sorry I’m late. I overslept and missed my alarm… Here, have this.”  

“…Thanks.”  

I sat beside her, pulling out a coffee and handing it to her.  

As she hesitated to take it, I sighed, noticing her pale complexion.  

“You look terrible. Is something really wrong?”  

“Oh, it’s nothing big. Just… work’s been tough, I guess.”  

“Lots of annoying customers?”  

“Uh, yeah… something like that.”  

Her listless response eased my worry slightly.  

It didn’t seem too serious, thankfully.  

“Is it really hard?”  

“Yeah… By the way, are you doing okay? Like, short on money or anything?”  

She glanced at me cautiously.  

I smiled softly and cracked open my coffee can.  

“I’m fine now. Turns out I had some money left in my account. I’m earning, too.”  

“…You’re earning?”  

“Yeah. Oh, how’s Maru? Must cost a lot, right? Hold on, I’ll send some money now.”  

“Wait, wait!”  

Hayul covered her face, hiding her expression.  

Puzzled, I tilted my head and smiled.  

“It’s okay. I’ve got plenty.”  

“…Sehwa, can I ask what you’re doing for work?”  

“….”  

I hesitated.  

There was nothing I couldn’t tell Hayul, given how close we were.  

But that closeness made me worry.  

(If I tell her I’m a bouncer… remembering how my aunt reacted…)

She’d probably freak out.  

Or maybe she’d calmly lecture me in her own way.  

What to do?  

As I rubbed my chin in thought, Hayul lowered her hands.  

Seeing her teary expression, my eyes widened.  

“…Noona?”  

“Why won’t you tell me? I saw everything, so please, can’t you quit? If you need money, I’ll cover you.”  

“Wait, saw what? You saw me working?”  

“…I’m sorry for spying. But as an adult, I had to say something. Think about your age, Sehwa…”  

I hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from her worse than my aunt’s.  

My mind spiraled into chaos.  

“Noona, it’s not that dangerous. It’s actually pretty—”  

“Sehwa, you…!”  

Her words were cut off.  

My phone’s ringtone drowned out everything.  

I’d switched it from vibrate to sound before leaving, and now it gave me an opening.  

“…Hold on. Calm down.”  

Using the call as an excuse, I stopped her outburst.  

I had to come up with something plausible in this brief moment.  

(It’s my aunt.)

Is she calling to ask where I am?  

I had a bad feeling, but I answered anyway.  

“I’m at the park for a bit—”  

“Hey, who are these girls? They keep saying they know you, but they brought something weird. I’m sending a photo. If you don’t know them, I’m digging into this now.”  

“…?”  

*Buzz.*  

Who’s here? Was someone supposed to come?  

A wave of dread washed over me.  

I checked the photo.  

*…Damn it.*  

Two women were kneeling on my house’s floor, terrified.  

And I knew their faces all too well.  

I shot up, apologizing to Hayul.  

“Noona, I’m really sorry, but something urgent came up. I have to go. Let’s talk next time. Promise.”  

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Translated by Reversalmanhwa.web.id  

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