The morning light cut across the skyline, gilding the private runway in pale gold.

Jason adjusted his cufflinks as he stepped out of the car, the hum of the jet engines filling the air. The Yun insignia was embossed on the tail of the family's private aircraft — a mark that once filled him with pride. Now, it just felt like another reminder of a name he carried but never truly owned.

A man in a gray suit greeted him at the base of the stairs. "Young Master Jason, your luggage has been loaded. The others have already departed for the estate. Your father asked me to tell you not to be late for the family dinner."

Jason smiled faintly. "That's generous of him — remembering I exist."

The man hesitated, unsure if it was a joke. Jason didn't clarify. He just walked up the steps and disappeared into the plane.

The Yun family's main estate was a fortress disguised as a mansion. Resting on a forested hill outside the city, its marble gates opened to reveal a sprawling view of manicured gardens, fountains, and a villa big enough to host small nations.

Jason hadn't been here in months.

By the time the car rolled to a stop before the grand entrance, guests and family members were already gathering. Laughter floated in the air — practiced, pleasant, and perfectly polite.

He stepped out, adjusting his tie, and the moment his shoes touched the gravel, eyes turned.

"Jason," came a voice he hadn't heard in a while — his mother's.

Elise Yun stood near the steps, elegant as ever in a cream dress. Her smile was soft, her tone warm, but the way her eyes flitted over him — cataloguing his posture, clothes, expression — was anything but maternal.

"You're looking well," she said. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten where home was."

"I tried," Jason said lightly. "Didn't stick."

Her lips curved faintly, halfway between a smile and a warning, before she moved aside. Behind her stood his father, Darius Yun — tall, broad-shouldered, with silver strands cutting through black hair. His handshake was firm, impersonal, like closing a business deal.

"Jason," Darius said, nodding. "Good to see you're doing something useful with your time."

Jason smiled. "Trying to live up to the family name."

A beat of silence passed before Darius turned away to greet another guest.

Inside the main hall, the air was alive with noise. The Bright Youngstars — the pride of the Yun family's new generation — had already gathered around the central table. Their laughter and easy confidence filled the room like music.

Britney Yun was at the center of it — tall, poised, with gentle eyes that hid a razor-sharp mind. She turned as Jason entered, her smile perfectly polite.

"Well, look who decided to show up," she said. "I thought you'd miss another evaluation."

Jason grinned. "And let you take first place uncontested again? Never."

"Please," Britney said with a light laugh. "You'd need a miracle for that."

Her tone wasn't cruel, just honest — the kind of bluntness born of years at the top. Around her, the others chuckled softly. Jason caught the glance from Jessy — cool, dismissive — and Jane, who only offered a small nod before looking away.

It was like stepping into a theater where everyone had already memorized their lines.

A quiet vibration against his wrist drew Jason's attention. His smartwatch glowed faintly — the Software Interface pulsing to life beneath the screen.

[ECHO Active.]

Facial recognition: 26 Yun family members present. Data sync enabled.

Behavioral metrics scanning… anomaly detected.

Jason's eyes flickered toward the side of the room, where an older cousin — Leo Yun — spoke in hushed tones with one of the family's senior accountants.

The app displayed faint overlays across his vision:

[Financial Irregularity – Minor: 14,000 unreported asset transfer.]

[Possible link: Internal manipulation within Yun family's evaluation funding.]

Jason hid his reaction, taking a sip of champagne. So, the family games had already begun.

"Still glued to your tech?" Britney teased, noticing his brief glance at the watch.

"Helps me keep track of people pretending to like me," Jason said smoothly.

Her laugh was genuine this time. "Still charming as ever."

The day passed in slow rhythm — introductions, polite chatter, endless smiles that didn't reach the eyes. By late afternoon, the gathering thinned as people dispersed across the estate. Jason walked along the garden path, taking in the sound of cicadas humming through the trees.

He'd almost forgotten how heavy this place felt. The Yun mansion was beautiful, yes, but beauty here was measured in restraint — everything polished to perfection, every flaw covered with silence.

His app buzzed again. A soft voice — mechanical, calm — spoke in his ear.

[Observation complete.]

User stress levels elevated by 14%.

Would you like me to analyze coping options?

Jason smirked. "No, ECHO. I'm fine."

[Noted.]

Reminder: Emotional regulation impacts decision accuracy.

He sighed, sliding his hands into his pockets. "You sound more like my mother every day."

[Statement recorded.]

He chuckled softly. "Delete it."

[Deleted.]

By evening, the family gathered again for dinner. The dining hall was a vision of old wealth — chandeliers, golden cutlery, portraits of ancestors staring down from the walls.

Jason took his seat near the end of the table. His father sat at the head, beside Elise, flanked by the older generation. Across from him sat the Bright Youngstars — the family's pride, each holding positions in finance, research, or business.

Britney spoke confidently about her recent projects in renewable energy; Jessy mentioned an expansion in tech sectors; Jane updated them about her NGO's success. The elders praised each word like a recital.

When Jason's turn came, the table grew quieter.

He leaned back slightly, voice calm. "Eversage reported a 32% profit increase this quarter. We finalized our new skincare line and completed test markets across three districts. Production scale-up begins next month."

A few polite nods followed. His father arched a brow. "Eversage? You've been spending quite some time there."

Jason nodded. "You could say I'm… personally invested."

Darius's gaze sharpened — but before he could respond, Elise smoothly redirected the conversation. "That's wonderful, Jason. You've always had an eye for small opportunities."

Small.

The word hung like a knife.

Jason smiled easily. "Sometimes small things grow fastest."

Dinner ended with toasts and well-rehearsed laughter. As everyone dispersed, Elise approached him by the corridor.

"Jason," she said softly. "Your grandfather's looking forward to seeing you at the evaluation meeting. Don't give him reason to regret it."

He met her gaze. "Wasn't planning to."

As she walked away, Jason glanced once more at his wrist.

[ECHO Update:]

Behavioral scans indicate heightened scrutiny from multiple family members.

Recommendation: Increase data collection on internal communications.

He exhaled slowly. "Yeah," he murmured. "Guess the real test starts tomorrow."

Outside, night had fallen over the Yun estate — the beginning of a weekend that would test everything he'd built.

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