Our Summer On Elysian Isle
The Invitation
📍Ashbourne Manor • 8:17 AM
The Ashbourne family receives an invitation every summer...
An invitation that only a handful of the world's richest families ever see.
This year...
They're going back to Elysian Isle.
Chai
(steals a sock and runs)
Mira Ashbourne
Chai.
Give it back.
Chai
(pretends not to hear)
Mira Ashbourne
You don't even wear socks.
Mira Ashbourne
You're lucky you're cute.
Kai Ashbourne
(opens Mira's bedroom door)
Kai Ashbourne
Why is Chai in your suitcase?
Mira Ashbourne
He packed himself.
Kai Ashbourne
Take him out.
Mira Ashbourne
He said he's coming.
Kai Ashbourne
Why are you arguing with a red panda before breakfast?
Chai
Because she refuses to listen to me.
Kai Ashbourne
He's got a point.
Kai Ashbourne
That hoodie should've stayed in the wardrobe.
Mira Ashbourne
Wow.
Betrayed by my own brother.
Kai Ashbourne
You'll survive.
Celeste Ashbourne
Are the three of you finished arguing about a hoodie?
Breakfast is getting cold.
Adrian Ashbourne
And Chai...
No stealing food this morning.
Kai Ashbourne
That's exactly what you said yesterday.
Chai
And I only stole three.
That's growth.
Welcome to Elysian Isle
📍Elysian Isle • Private Airfield
Forty-five minutes later...
The Ashbourne family's private jet landed on Elysian Isle.
The island they had visited every summer since they were children.
Pilot
Welcome back to Elysian Isle, Mr. and Mrs. Ashbourne.
We hope you enjoy your stay.
Adrian Ashbourne
Thank you.
Celeste Ashbourne
Come on, everyone.
Let's not keep the staff waiting.
Resort staff
Welcome back, Mr. Ashbourne.
Welcome back, Mrs. Ashbourne.
Resort staff
Miss Ashbourne.
Mr. Ashbourne.
We've prepared everything for your arrival.
As always...
Luxury cars were already waiting.
The Ashbournes' luggage was loaded before they even reached the limousine.
Chai
(looks out from Mira's arms, ears twitching)
Mira Ashbourne
(quietly）
You can explore later.
The drive took them past crystal-blue beaches...
Luxury villas...
Private yachts...
Designer boutiques...
And the famous marina that only a handful of people in the world were ever allowed to see.
Celeste Ashbourne
It hasn't changed much.
Adrian Ashbourne
No.
Though they've added a few new villas.
Kai Ashbourne
Looks busier this year.
Adrian Ashbourne
There are more invited families.
Adrian Ashbourne
Seven.
Some you'll recognize.
Most you won't.
Mira Ashbourne
That should make things... interesting.
The Ashbourne family's villa overlooked the sea.
It had its own private beach...
Infinity pool...
Garden...
And a dock for their yacht.
Chai
(jumps from Mira's arms and stretches)
Chai
(sniffs the sea breeze happily)
Mira Ashbourne
Don't disappear.
Chai
(makes a small chirping sound and nods)
Kai Ashbourne
She's already planning something.
Mira Ashbourne
Definitely.
Before anyone could unpack...
A knock echoed through the villa.
Staff
Mr. and Mrs. Ashbourne.
The Solis family has arrived.
They'd like to welcome you personally.
Celeste Ashbourne
Please, let them in.
Orion Solis
Adrian.
Good to see you again.
Adrian Ashbourne
Likewise.
Standing just behind them...
Were two familiar faces.
Julian Solis
Kai.
Still looking like someone stole your smile?
Kai Ashbourne
Hello, Julian.
Julian Solis
I'll count that as a warm welcome.
Beside Julian stood a young woman. Pink hair shimmered in the afternoon light.
Perfect posture.
Elegant.
Reserved.
Elara Solis
Mr. and Mrs. Ashbourne.
It's nice to see you again.
Celeste Ashbourne
You've grown so much, Elara.
She still doesn't smile much.
Elara's gaze shifted...
Landing on Mira.
Mira Ashbourne
Hello, Elara.
It's been a while.
Mira Ashbourne
You've gotten even quieter.
Mira Ashbourne
Either that...
Or I remembered you talking more.
Elara Solis
I don't think I did.
Mira Ashbourne
Hmm...
Fair enough.
For just a second...
The corner of Mira's lips lifted into the faintest smile.
Mira Ashbourne
Still impossible to read...
Meanwhile...
Chai quietly peeked around Mira's leg.
She studied Elara for a moment.
Then...
She calmly walked over and sat beside her.
Elara Solis
(looks down at Chai)
Elara Solis
(slowly reaches out her hand)
Chai
(Chai sniffs her hand... then gently rubs against it.)
Mira Ashbourne
Well.
She likes you.
Mira Ashbourne
She's usually picky about strangers.
Julian Solis
I'm jealous.
She ignored me last time.
Kai Ashbourne
She remembers.
Julian Solis
I only tried to feed her lemon cake once.
Chai
(quietly huffs in agreement)
Perhaps...
This summer would be different after all.
The Welcome Gala
After catching up...
The Solis family stayed for tea while the adults disappeared into Adrian's study.
Leaving the younger generation alone.
Julian Solis
So...
How was the flight?
Julian Solis
I asked the wrong person.
Mira Ashbourne
You really did.
Julian Solis
You could've helped me.
Mira Ashbourne
Where's the fun in that?
Julian Solis
You've gotten meaner.
Mira Ashbourne
More honest.
Across the room...
Elara quietly looked out toward the ocean.
Mira Ashbourne
(walks over)
Mira Ashbourne
Avoiding us already?
Mira Ashbourne
Then why are you standing over here?
A comfortable silence settles between them.
Mira Ashbourne
You still don't like crowded rooms.
Elara Solis
You remembered.
Mira looks slightly surprised.
Mira Ashbourne
That's the most words you've said to me today.
Mira Ashbourne
I think we're making progress.
Elara Solis
Don't get ahead of yourself.
Mira Ashbourne
(laughs softly)
Mira Ashbourne
There's the Elara I remember.
Just then...
A resort staff member enters.
Resort staff
Good afternoon.
A reminder that tonight's Welcome Gala begins at seven.
All invited families are expected to attend.
Several guests have already arrived, with the remaining families landing throughout the afternoon.
Celeste Ashbourne
Thank you.
We'll be there.
Helena Solis
Looks like everyone will finally be together.
Julian Solis
This should be interesting.
Mira Ashbourne
Interesting...
Or chaotic?
Julian Solis
Probably both.
Mira Ashbourne
You don't look excited.
Julian Solis
I'll drag you onto the dance floor if I have to.
Julian Solis
Never mind.
I enjoy living.
Everyone chuckles.
Even Elara's lips twitch almost imperceptibly.
Mira Ashbourne
Did you almost smile?
Elara Solis
You imagined it.
Mira Ashbourne
Hmm...
I'll prove it by the end of summer.
Elara Solis
I wish you luck.
As the afternoon sun dipped lower...
Luxury yachts began arriving one after another.
Helicopters landed at the private airfield.
Black cars rolled through the resort gates.
One by one...
The island's remaining guests were arriving.
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