The tension in the Winter household was palpable the morning after the nightclub incident. Alex sat in his study, his disappointment weighing heavily on Ophelia as she stood before him, her head bowed.

“You should know better than to follow your sister,” Alex said, his voice clipped and irritated.

“I know, Dad,” Ophelia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes were fixed on the floor, unwilling to meet his piercing gaze.

Alex shook his head in frustration. “I thought you had more sense than this. But look at you—you’ve started acting like April!” His words lashed out like a whip, and Ophelia flinched.

“Dad, I didn’t go there intentionally,” Ophelia sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I just wanted to celebrate with my friends.”

“I don’t care about your intentions,” Alex snapped. “You better reflect on yourself. I’ve decided: you’re staying in your room for the next week. No visitors, no outings. I’ll inform your professor that you’ll miss classes.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened in panic. “But, Dad! My exams are important—”

“I’ll arrange a tutor,” Alex interrupted firmly. “Stay away from April, or you’ll end up just as rotten.”

“Dad,” Ophelia pleaded, her voice cracking. “She just wanted to celebrate with me. It wasn’t like that.”

“Enough,” Alex said, his tone final. “Remember what I said.” He left the room without another glance, leaving Ophelia alone to stew in her thoughts.

Meanwhile, April lounged in her room, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. Her plan to tarnish Ophelia’s innocent image in their father’s eyes had worked flawlessly. She couldn’t help but revel in her small victory. For once, Ophelia was the one being scolded, not her.

But Alex wasn’t so easily fooled. He sat in his study later that day, massaging his temples as a headache built. He couldn’t shake the feeling that April was up to something. Her recent calm demeanor didn’t fit with her history of rebellion. He sighed deeply, knowing that whatever she was planning, it wouldn’t end well for anyone.

The days dragged on. Ophelia remained confined to her room, Kelly poured herself into wedding preparations, and April quietly plotted her next move. On the fifth day of Ophelia’s punishment, Alex received a phone call from Sen.

“Hello, Uncle,” Sen greeted warmly.

“Hello, son,” Alex replied, leaning back in his chair. “What’s the occasion?”

“Actually,” Sen began, “my dad asked me to take Ophelia shopping. She hasn’t picked out her wedding dress yet.”

Alex sighed. “She’s been busy studying for her exams. When were you planning to go?”

“I was thinking this afternoon. Around four,” Sen said.

“That’s fine. I’ll let her know you’re coming,” Alex replied, ending the call.

Unbeknownst to him, April was eavesdropping from her own room. The wiretaps she had secretly placed around the house had proven invaluable for gathering information. She smirked, her mind already racing with possibilities.

“Shopping, huh?” she muttered to herself. “Let’s see about that.”

Later, April intercepted the housemaid carrying a tray of snacks for Ophelia. “I’ll take those,” April said, her voice sugary sweet. “Us sisters need to talk.”

The maid hesitated but handed over the tray. April wasted no time hurrying to Ophelia’s room. She knocked on the door, waiting for the telltale sound of footsteps before the door creaked open.

“Sis, what are you doing here?” Ophelia asked, her brow furrowing in surprise.

“Let me in,” April said quickly, pushing past her. She set the tray down on the desk and locked the door behind her.

“What’s going on?” Ophelia asked nervously. “Why are you locking the door? If Dad finds out—”

“Relax,” April interrupted. “He doesn’t know I’m here.” She gestured to the snacks. “I just came to check on you and bring these.”

Ophelia stared at her sister warily but said nothing. The tension was thick as April sat down casually on the edge of the bed.

“You know,” April began, her tone conversational, “you’re lucky Dad still dotes on you. Me? He hasn’t cared about me in years.”

“Sis,” Ophelia said softly, “please stop making problems for me. I can’t handle another scolding.”

April rolled her eyes. “You think I’m the problem? You’re the golden child, Ophelia. You have no idea what it’s like to be treated like an outsider in your own family.”

Before Ophelia could respond, a sharp knock sounded at the door. Both sisters froze. Ophelia’s eyes widened in panic. “April,” she whispered, “it’s probably Dad.”

“Shit,” April muttered under her breath, her mind racing for an escape plan.

“Open the door!” Alex’s voice boomed from the other side, his tone leaving no room for argument.