The room where Bell's adopted sons, Maxwell and Calvin, sat exuded luxury, with a white sofa and well-appointed furniture that gave it a vintage feel. However, modern touches, like the digital screen in the corner displaying Chancellor Jupiter's message, added a contemporary flair.

  Maxwell, the chief of Bell's guards, grabbed the remote and turned off the screen with a sigh. "Can't believe they lost the spacecraft," he exclaimed, shaking his head.

  Calvin, his adopted brother, let out a long breath. "Guess Bell is going to be busy for a while," he replied, concern evident in his voice.

  "He's always busy. I thought we'd get to spend a family weekend this week," Maxwell said, disappointment visible in his dark eyes as he reclined on the couch.

  "What do you think of that mission Jupiter mentioned?" Calvin asked, a hint of interest in his tone.

  Maxwell snapped his head up from the couch. "What?" he said, furrowing his brow at Calvin's excited expression.

  "Don't tell me you're interested in it," Maxwell said, lifting his head for a clearer view of Calvin, who was casually reclining on another couch.

  "No, I meant it could've been interesting if I didn't have you, Bell, or Meivin," Calvin replied, his gaze fixed on Maxwell's face, which was slowly filling with concern.

  Hearing that, Maxwell's expression eased a bit. "You've always been the adventurous one, but I guarantee that mission is a one-way ticket. Bell won't even let you think about joining," he said, switching to a more casual tone.

  "Who said I'm thinking of joining? I'd rather stay here and annoy you and Bell," Calvin said, a playful glint in his eyes. Maxwell smiled, his dark eyes lighting up.

  "Good! I’d rather help Bell tie you up to a chair than let you go," Maxwell said, leaning back on the sofa.

  "Okay, I'm not going, but you owe me a drink for that," Calvin said, smirking.

  "For what, little monkey?" Maxwell teased.

  "For the joy of your best friend and monkey brother being safe, big Max," Calvin replied playfully.

  "Better dream," Maxwell shot back, smirking.

  "I would like a hard drink," Calvin added, teasing. Maxwell chuckled, closing his eyes.

  "Considering", He murmured, making Calvin smirk again.

  The brothers lapsed into a comfortable silence, relaxing their tired bodies for a few moments until the door burst open.

  "What the heck!" Calvin shouted, sitting up. Maxwell, still reclining on the couch, cracked one eye open.

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  "Is that Bell?" he asked, not bothering to get up.

  "No, it's Dani," Calvin replied, adjusting to a comfortable sitting position.

  "What's the rush, man? You scared me—thought a thief was trying to break in," Calvin said as Daniel, their friend, closed the door behind him.

  "Which idiot would try to rob the Chancellor's house, especially Bell's?" Daniel said with a smile as he moved toward a sofa.

  "You heard the news?" Calvin asked curiosity in his brown eyes.

  "Yeah, that's why I'm here. Melvin was so interested in it," Daniel said, taking a seat.

  "My sister is interested in that crap? No way!" Calvin replied, surprised.

  "Yeah, same Melvin. She went to the library to grab some books about that Devil's Spot," Daniel continued.

  "Bermuda mystery?" Maxwell asked, his eyes still closed.

  "Yeah, she was going crazy over it," Daniel said, shifting to a more comfortable position.

  "And you left her in the library, you idiot!" Calvin said, standing up immediately.

  "What's the problem? She's not stupid enough to sign up for that," Daniel replied, confusion evident on his face, though a hint of fear crept in.

  "She does stupid things when she's angry. It's the fault of teens. She'll do anything to hurt me now," Calvin said, looking around for his guard jacket. Maxwell sat up immediately.

  "Angry? For what? She was totally fine with me," Daniel said, getting up, puzzled.

  "She argued with Cal last night. You know she tries to pretend she hates him, though I don't know why," Maxwell explained as Calvin put on his jacket.

  "Are you serious?" Daniel asked, turning to Calvin.

  "What does it look like, that I'm joking?" Calvin replied, moving toward the door.

  "So much for the break!" Maxwell said, grabbing his jacket.

  "You were supposed to look after her. I thought you were taking her on a date," Maxwell added, walking to the door with Daniel.

  "I told you I'm not taking her on dates until she turns eighteen," Daniel said, sounding frustrated.

  "Ah, I forgot about that. You're too shy to tell her you love her," Maxwell teased, prompting a yell from Daniel.

  "Shut your mouth! That's nonsense!"

  The three men hurried out of the room, concern etched on their faces.

  It took them a while, but they finally found Melvin in a bookshop, buying some books. Calvin approached the cashier and spotted his seventeen-year-old sister standing there.

  "Here you are," Calvin said calmly, knowing that making her angry was the last thing he wanted to do.

  "What? Is some terrorist waiting to shoot me outside or an enemy of yours trying to kidnap me?" Melvin said, taking her credit card and books back.

  "No, um... I was just worried. Daniel said you were interested in the... new mission?" Calvin replied, staring into his sister's annoyed brown eyes.

  "I would love to join, but didn't you hear it was an eighteen-plus event?" Melvin said, turning to leave.

  "Oh, I guess I missed that part," Calvin said, his expression easing as he followed her to the door.

  "It's a suicide mission, you know? A one-way ticket, most likely," he added, more concerned now. She turned around, clearly annoyed.

  "Don't tell me what to do. I'm a scientist, a very good one, and I know what suits me best. Your choices have left us with some haunting memories, and you'll be the last one I look to for advice," she replied, making Calvin uncomfortable. His face dimmed.

  "We're not doing this again, okay?" Calvin said, hurt.

  "Then stop following me. I don't want you and your friends looking after me. I'm not a child," she said, opening the door.

  "According to the law, you are!" Calvin retorted, following her outside. Melvin frowned and stormed off, flicking her gold hair back angrily.

  Maxwell and Daniel, waiting outside, exchanged worried glances at Calvin's troubled expression.

  "Another fight?" Maxwell asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Mm-hmm," Calvin replied, letting out a breath. "But don't worry, the mission is eighteen-plus."

  "Good. So can we have that drink now?" Maxwell teased, trying to ease the mood. Calvin smirked.

  "Guess so."