---
Esme dusted off her clothes with an air of indifference, adjusting her hair as if she had just come from a leisurely walk rather than the chaos that had unfolded moments before. Her movements were slow, calculated, and utterly dismissive of the tension that hung in the room. Without a second thought, she sank onto the sofa, lounging comfortably as if nothing had ever happened.
Across from her, Kai stood rigid, his irritation barely contained. His eyes narrowed as he watched her settle in, her nonchalant attitude only stoking his frustration further. He took a sharp breath, then spoke, his voice laced with barely restrained anger.
"Can you ever..." he began, his tone sharp. "Can you ever make a decision that doesn't involve pulling us into your mess? Can you stop making trouble for once, Madam?"
