[AFYC] Chapter 6

Approximately two hours earlier, while Oscar and his wolves were dealing with the uninvited guests, a quiet yet significant event unfolded elsewhere. The door to the VIP reception room at Felphe Bank slowly creaked open, its hinges groaning as if protesting the late hour. A pair of pale brown eyes, cautious and uncertain, peeked through the narrow gap in the doorway, taking in the room beyond.

The reception room was the epitome of opulence, with its reddish, heavy wooden walls adorned with gold-plated accents that caught the dim light and gleamed like treasure. The plush and thick carpet spread across the floor like a soft sea of crimson, muffling any sound and erasing all evidence of footsteps. The room’s grandeur was complemented by the staff who remained on duty, their professionalism unwavering despite the late hour. 

Is this the place? Seo Ah wondered as she scanned the room through the barely opened door. Steeling herself, she stepped inside, feeling the carpet give way beneath her feet. The softness was almost unsettling, swallowing the sound of her steps completely and rendering her presence nearly invisible. Even the lone staff member, engrossed in his newspaper, failed to notice her arrival. 

Seo Ah moved cautiously, her gaze darting around the room as she approached the large, polished table in the centre. She placed her luggage bag on the single chair meant for customers, the fabric sighing under the weight. Still, the employee remained oblivious, the rustling of newspaper pages the only sound in the otherwise silent room. 

After a brief hesitation, Seo Ah cautiously reached out and tapped on the table, the sound sharp and sudden in the quiet. She held her breath, watching the man intently. 

Knock, knock. 

The sound seemed to echo like thunder in the stillness. Seo Ah’s heart raced as she focused all her attention on the employee, willing him to notice her. 

There was a rustle as the man turned a page in his newspaper. Slowly, Seo Ah raised her eyes, her breath hitching in her throat. 

“…” 

To her dismay, the employee remained absorbed in his reading, utterly unaware of her presence. Frustration mingled with embarrassment as she knocked on the table again, this time with more force. 

Knock, knock. 

“Excuse me… hello?” she called out, her voice trembling slightly. 

The employee, startled by the sudden sound, snapped his head up. He stared at Seo Ah in surprise as if she had materialized out of thin air. Reflexively, he jumped to his feet, his chair scraping against the carpet as he moved. 

“Welcome. How may I assist—” His greeting trailed off into silence as he took in the sight of her, leaving the room in an awkward stillness once more. 

Seo Ah felt her face flush with heat, her cheeks stinging with embarrassment. She forced herself to maintain her posture, resisting the urge to shrink under his scrutiny. When she finally looked up, her gaze was met by a pair of very clear green eyes, wide with confusion. 

As soon as their eyes met, Seo Ah looked down again, her hands fidgeting nervously. Sensing something amiss, the employee asked her directly, “How did you get in here?” 

Seo Ah kept her eyes lowered, pondering his question. After a moment, she pointed back toward the door, her voice barely above a whisper. “I came in through the door”, she said. 

“…” 

The employee blinked, clearly puzzled by her response. His mind struggled to make sense of the situation, and he hesitated before asking more specifically, “Did you come in here alone? Without any escort?” 

Seo Ah considered his words carefully before answering quietly, “Would that be inappropriate?” 

“No, that’s not what I meant…” The employee was perplexed. He glanced around the room, almost as if he were checking to see if he was in the right place. Indeed, this was the VIP reception room of Felphe Bank. 

But who exactly was this woman? 

Felphe Bank prides itself on treating all clients with the utmost respect, regardless of their social standing. Even if a customer was of common birth, as long as they could open an account or a vault, they were welcomed and served with the same courtesy extended to nobles. However, the mandatory deposit required to open an account or vault was so substantial that many nobles could not meet the criteria. As a result, those who crossed the threshold of Felphe Bank were often well-known business owners, high-ranking nobles, or royalty. 

The bank’s main entrance was heavily guarded, not only by security personnel but also by attentive staff ready to assist clients. No one other than a customer could loiter near the bank, let alone make it unescorted to the VIP reception room. The employee felt comfortable enough to read a newspaper because he knew he would be informed well in advance if any clients arrived. 

And yet, here stood this woman, who had somehow made her way to the reception room alone. Her appearance was as puzzling as her presence. Although the air began to cool in the mornings and evenings, it was still summer. Yet, she was dressed in a wool coat more suitable for the harshness of winter. The coat looked worn as if it hadn’t been well-maintained and had been left unattended for a long time. It hung on her awkwardly, almost like she was wearing someone else’s clothes. 

Moreover, she kept her head slightly bowed, avoiding eye contact as if she had committed some crime. But what struck the employee most was the inexplicable sense of oddity about her—something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. 

Just then, the woman spoke up, her voice cutting through the silence. “I came here because I want to open a vault. Is this the right place?” 

“A vault?” the employee echoed, his confusion deepening. 

“Yes,” she replied, her tone steady despite her earlier hesitation. 

The word “vault” caused the employee to pause. He scrutinized her more closely, trying to reconcile her dishevelled appearance with her request. “Did you bring the key?” 

Seo Ah sighed a small sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. It seemed she had indeed found the right place. “Yes, I have it.” 

The mention of a vault and key caused the employee, who had been on the verge of calling security, to reconsider. Instead, he gestured politely towards the chair. “Please, have a seat.” 

Seo Ah placed her luggage on the floor and perched lightly on the sofa’s edge, her posture stiff with unease. As she settled herself, the employee set aside his newspaper, his conduct shifting to professional courtesy. He sat across from her and slid a black velvet tray towards her. 

“Would you please hand me the key?”