Manhattan's Upper East Side.
The neighborhood west of Lexington Avenue was dotted with duplex villas. This was one of New York's most expensive and sought-after residential areas, known as the "Gold Coast"—a true enclave for the wealthy, long favored by the rich.
Many people said that even the air here carried the scent of Franklins, along with the conservative values of high society.
As the orange glow of sunset sank beyond the horizon, Sean stepped out of a black sedan carrying a bottle of premium red wine from Canon-la-Gaffelière. He knocked on the Maximoff family's door.
Almost the instant the doorbell rang, a silver figure flung open the door. Pietro wore a pair of custom headphones and hummed Jimmy Cross's "Time in a Bottle" as he appeared like a ghost.
Sean lowered his head and glanced at the doormat. A charred streak had been burned across it. Apparently, Pietro often welcomed visiting neighbors this way.
"Wow, Sean, this is a surprise! My sister will definitely be happy to see you."
Pietro was remarkably familiar with him. Throwing an arm around Sean's shoulders, he took the ribbon-wrapped bottle of wine and shouted upstairs, "Wanda, that bastard you keep talking about is here!"
Sean's mouth twitched. He saw Wanda, dressed in casual loungewear, hurrying downstairs in fluffy slippers. Her long hair was pinned behind her head, and her delicate face was bare of makeup. Compared with her usual formal Umbrella attire, she looked far more domestic.
"Pulling this stunt every time—aren't you tired of it... ah!"
Wanda had rushed downstairs intending to scold her brother, but the moment she saw the young man beside Pietro, she froze on the stairs.
Then she let out a scream and darted back upstairs like a startled deer.
Sean looked speechlessly at the siblings, but the