Arthur Hale's Office"It was... a robot?" Arthur repeated in disbelief, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to process the absurdity of the claim."Yes," Selene affirmed firmly. "When we entered the locked room, the robot appeared—and right at that moment, the security footage cut to black."Arthur frowned, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "If you put it that way... it kinda makes sense. So... you're saying this thing—" he gestured toward the disabled robot still lying motionless on the floor, its metal plating scorched, "—is responsible for all the footage interference... and maybe even the one who pushed Klein?""Most certainly," Selene replied smoothly before turning toward Rinko. "Right, Master Rinko?"Rinko sat in the singular chair, his expression unreadable, locked in deep thought.His sharp eyes lingered on the deactivated machine, tracing its burned circuits and lifeless frame.Logically, everything seemed to line up—the sudden footage blackout, the robot's erratic behavior, and its presence in the forbidden section.But his instincts—screamed otherwise.Something felt off like a missing puzzle piece hovering just beyond reach.Rinko finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "It's... plausible." His gaze shifted subtly toward Selene, unreadable yet calculating as if weighing unseen possibilities.Before anyone could respond, a soft chime echoed from Selene's scroll. She quickly answered it."Sir Jacques... Yes, sir. Understood. I'll see to it immediately," she replied with practiced composure before ending the call.Turning back to Rinko, she straightened her posture. "Master Rinko, we must prepare you for the charity concert happening tonight."Rinko's expression remained impassive, though a flicker of irritation crossed his mind at the inconvenient time.He exhaled slowly before nodding. "We'll continue this discussion tomorrow."Selene and Arthur exchanged brief, knowing glances before offering synchronized nods.Though the matter was set aside for now, an unspoken tension lingered—one that neither the charity concert nor time itself could easily dispel.Later, Atlas Private BuildingRinko, Weiss, and Whitley sat quietly in the family car as it glided through the snowy streets of Atlas, its interior warm and filled with a soft hum of the engine.Each of them was lost in thought, reflecting on the upcoming charity concert. Jacques had left earlier to ensure the event went smoothly—a rare occasion when work seemed less important than family.As the car pulled up to the grand venue, Rinko stepped out first, adjusting his tailored jacket.Weiss followed, her elegant gown catching the soft glow of the entrance lights. Whitley emerged last, straightening his formal attire with a touch of nervousness.Near the entrance, Jacques stood waiting, dressed impeccably but wearing a genuine smile—a rarity that softened his usually stern features.His eyes warmed at the sight of his children."Children," he greeted warmly, extending his arms. "You all look splendid."His voice carried affection, not authority.He gently rested a hand on Weiss's shoulder and nodded approvingly at Whitley. His gaze lingered on Rinko a moment longer, filled with unspoken pride."Shall we?" Jacques offered, his tone light but sincere, ready to walk in not as CEO Jacques Schnee, but as a father proud to be by his children's side.As they stepped into the grand concert hall, the sheer scale of the venue struck Rinko. The expansive ceiling arched high above, adorned with glittering chandeliers that shimmered like suspended stars. Rows upon rows of elegant seats stretched across the vast auditorium, converging toward the grand stage illuminated by a soft, ambient glow.'This place is... massive,' Rinko thought, his gaze lingering on the intricate architecture, momentarily lost in admiration. He could almost hear echoes of applause from concerts long past reverberating through the hall."Hey! Where are you going?" Weiss's voice rang out, snapping him back to reality.Rinko halted mid-step, turning to see Weiss and the rest of his family standing near the entrance. Her arms were crossed, a teasing smirk playing at the edges of her lips."We won't be sitting down there," Weiss continued, gesturing toward the orchestra-level seats with a slight wave of her hand. "We'll be up there!" She pointed toward an exclusive, elegantly decorated balcony reserved for the Schnee family and other distinguished guests.Rinko blinked, quickly regaining his composure. "Ah... I see."Whitley chuckled quietly beside Weiss. "You looked ready to claim a front-row seat with the general audience."Rinko smirked faintly but said nothing as he walked back toward them, falling into step with his family. Jacques gave an approving nod, appreciating how naturally Rinko fit into moments like these—part of their world, yet distinctly himself.Schnee Manor, Arthur's Office, EveningThe dimly lit office stood eerily quiet, shadows stretching long across the cold floor. The faint hum of the manor's ancient ventilation system was the only sound in the stillness.The office door creaked open slowly as Selene stepped inside with measured precision. Her gloved fingers trailed lightly over the polished wood of the desk, her expression unreadable.Sitting behind the desk was Arthur—or rather, what appeared to be Arthur. His body lay slumped, motionless, head tilted slightly as if in deep contemplation. His lifeless stare fixed on nothing, vacant and devoid of will.Selene's gaze never faltered as she moved past the desk toward the storage closet nearby. Her steps echoed softly against the cold stone floor until she reached the closet door. With a flick of her wrist, the door clicked open.Inside, bound tightly with ropes and gagged, was the real Arthur. His eyes were wide with terror, darting frantically toward her. He struggled against his bindings, though it was a futile effort. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his breathing shallow and panicked.Selene crouched to his level, her expression shifting into something almost... gentle. She reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face, her touch as cold as ice."Shh... no need to struggle," Selene whispered softly, her voice calm and almost soothing like a lullaby meant to disarm. "Your part in this is done... I should thank you for building such a perfect replica of yourself. It played its role beautifully, convincing Rinko that it was just a robot that did it.."Let's just say Selene bribed Arthur with... feet pics.Arthur whimpered, eyes wide with terror, unable to look away from her piercing gaze—the gaze of a predator savoring its victory.Selene rose fluidly, turning her attention to the lifeless "Arthur" seated at the desk—the machine she had been controlling all along. Its synthetic face was flawless, mirroring every detail of the real Arthur's features. A masterstroke of coercion and deception."Everything is falling into place, he will let his guard down eventually.." she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.With a flick of her fingers, the robot twitched, its artificial eyes dimming as it powered down into lifeless stillness. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips—cold, calculating, victorious.Slowly, she pivoted back toward the real Arthur, still bound and trembling in the cramped, dark closet. His breathing hitched as she crouched until they were face-to-face, her eyes gleaming with twisted amusement."Be a good boy and stay quiet... will you?" she whispered, her tone deceptively sweet, like poison wrapped in silk.Her gloved fingers gently brushed his cheek—an intimate, chilling gesture. Arthur flinched at the icy touch, his breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps.Arthur squeezed his eyes shut, a choked sob escaping through the gag as despair crushed what little hope he had left. His mind screamed for escape, but the ropes digging into his wrists reminded him just how powerless he was—trapped not just by his bonds but by her unyielding control.Satisfied, Selene rose gracefully, adjusting her gloves with practiced ease. "Good talk," she said lightly, as though they'd just shared polite conversation over tea.With deliberate slowness, she closed the closet door, sealing him back into suffocating darkness. The click of the lock echoed through the empty office like a cruel exclamation point.Selene smoothed her dress and fixed her glasses composed and serene. She cast one last glance at the powered-down robot, her smile lingering like a shadow.The game was far from over—but for now, she held all the cards.Atlas BuildingThe grand hall shimmered under elegant chandeliers, the soft hum of conversation filling the air as Atlas' elite gathered for the charity auction. Expensive paintings adorned the walls—landscapes, cityscapes, and historical scenes of Remnant—all waiting to be bid on for a noble cause.Rinko wandered quietly among the displays, his gaze lingering on a particular painting: a serene depiction of Vale's bustling streets bathed in warm, golden light. Beside it hung a majestic portrayal of Beacon Academy standing proudly under a clear sky—an image frozen in time, untouched by the horrors that had befallen it.His chest tightened. Memories rushed back—battles fought, sacrifices made, and the friends he had left behind. He exhaled slowly, raising a crystal glass of sparkling cider."Blake... Ruby... Yang..." he muttered under his breath, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy on his mind. Were they safe?A familiar presence stirred beside him, soft and composed. He turned slightly to see Weiss standing there, her expression distant yet thoughtful, her pale eyes fixed on the same paintings."I hope they're alright..." she whispered, almost to herself.Rinko studied her for a moment. Weiss rarely let her true feelings slip in public, especially around her father's business associates. Yet, here she was—unguarded, her concern genuine."They're strong... tougher than anyone gives them credit for," Rinko replied quietly, his voice steady but tinged with conviction. "If anyone can face what's ahead... it's them."Weiss nodded slowly but didn't look away from the painting. "I just wish... we could've done more back then."Rinko hesitated before gently placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We did what we could... and we'll keep fighting—for them, for us... for everyone."A faint smile tugged at Weiss' lips, though her eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions. "You always know what to say..."Before either could speak further, the sound of a bell chiming signaled the start of the auction. They exchanged one last, knowing glance before turning toward the gathering crowd.Though distance and fate had separated them from their friends, their resolve remained unshaken—bound by memories, hope, and the shared promise to keep moving forward.Later, Schnee Manor, Late Evening.The grand estate loomed under the starry Atlas sky, its towering spires gleaming faintly in the moonlight. After a long evening at the charity event, the Schnee family's limousine pulled smoothly into the circular driveway, its polished frame reflecting the soft glow of the estate's front lights.The car door opened, and Rinko stepped out first, his sharp eyes sweeping the quiet surroundings instinctively. He adjusted his coat against the chilly night air as Weiss followed gracefully, her posture still poised despite the evening's exhausting social demands.Whitley emerged last, yawning discreetly while straightening his tailored blazer. Though he didn't voice it, he was relieved to be back in familiar territory after enduring hours of carefully crafted conversations and forced pleasantries.As the family approached the grand entrance, the manor's double doors opened soundlessly. Selene stood waiting, dressed immaculately as always, her sharp, calculating eyes gleaming with polite professionalism. Behind her, a line of uniformed staff members bowed respectfully in greeting."Welcome home, Master Jacques, Mistress Weiss, Master Whitley... Sir Rinko," Selene greeted smoothly, her voice calm and practiced. Her eyes lingered just a second longer on Rinko before shifting back to Jacques. "I trust the event was a success?"Jacques nodded approvingly, allowing a rare, genuine smile to grace his face. "Indeed. The charity auction exceeded our expectations." He glanced briefly at his children, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Our family's presence made quite the impression."Weiss offered a polite smile, though her thoughts remained elsewhere. The image of Vale's streets and Beacon's familiar silhouette lingered in her mind—a distant memory, yet still vivid and unyielding.Rinko said nothing, his sharp senses still on edge despite the peaceful atmosphere. Something felt... off. He couldn't quite place it, but the air seemed heavier than usual—a subtle, unspoken tension clinging to the quiet stillness of the manor."Shall I have refreshments prepared?" Selene offered smoothly, ever the attentive steward."That won't be necessary," Jacques replied with a dismissive wave. "It's been a long evening. We'll retire for the night.""As you wish," Selene bowed slightly before stepping aside, allowing the family to pass through the towering entrance.As they entered the grand foyer, the heavy doors closed silently behind them with a soft click, sealing them inside the mansion's imposing walls.The grand Manor stood silent, its towering marble columns casting elongated shadows under the dim, flickering chandelier lights. After bidding each other goodnight, the Schnee family retired to their respective rooms, leaving the vast estate enveloped in solemn quiet.Everyone... except Rinko.Rinko lingered behind, his sharp gaze fixed on the cold hearth of the grand living room. He moved silently toward the deep leather sofa and sat down, elbows resting on his knees, fingers interlocked as his mind churned with unresolved thoughts.From the darkened archway leading to the hall, Selene emerged, her silent steps gliding across the polished floor like a specter. Her piercing eyes locked onto Rinko's back, studying the subtle tension in his posture. Something was troubling him—deeply.Rinko's thoughts spiraled inward.'It can't be the robot... it doesn't add up,' Rinko thought bitterly, his eyes narrowing in thought.His mind replayed the sequence of events, each memory sharper, more vivid.'The robot wouldn't have been able to get into the kitchen without being seen by the maids... and even if it could... why poison the original Rinko in the first place? It serves no purpose unless...'He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. Something vital was missing—a thread that tied it all together, just out of reach."Master Rinko... are you alright?"Selene's voice, smooth and composed, pierced through his turbulent thoughts like a blade. He inhaled sharply, quickly smoothing out his expression before glancing over his shoulder.She stood there, her posture perfect, hands delicately folded in front of her—a picture of practiced grace. Her piercing gaze was calm, unreadable... watchful.Rinko forced himself to relax, leaning back against the cool leather of the sofa. "Just... thinking."Selene took a step closer, tilting her head ever so slightly. "You seem... troubled."Her voice was soft, almost warm—but there was something off about the way she said it, as though she already knew the answer and was merely waiting for confirmation.Rinko met her gaze steadily, searching for any crack in her composed mask—but found none. "The events of tonight were... complicated."Selene's faint smile didn't reach her eyes. "Charity events often are... so many moving pieces."Their eyes locked—a quiet, unspoken battle unfolding in the charged silence between them."I suppose they are," Rinko replied coolly, masking the whirlwind of thoughts still racing through his mind.Selene inclined her head ever so slightly, as though acknowledging some unseen victory. "If you require anything... do let me know."Without waiting for a response, she turned and gracefully disappeared down the hall, her steps as quiet as a whispered secret.Rinko exhaled slowly, his fists tightening once more. His instincts screamed that she was involved... somehow. He just didn't know how deep the deception went—or how long she had been playing the game.But he intended to find out.[End]