As sisters approached the Genesis Estate, Kesariya pointed at a large banner that hung above the doors. The Rules of Midnight, Wish, & Luck are to make the rules yourself, it read. "I have the feeling that Mr. Genesis is the sentimental type."

Lakshmi snorted. "You think?"

"Shut up and focus," Eesha said seriously as a gentleman opened the door for them. Eesha flashed him a warm smile and his cheeks went red. As they entered the building, Kesariya turned to her.

"You totally made that guy fall in love with you in a matter of seconds!"

"It's called being charming," she replied cheekily. "After all, butterflies are just pretty bugs, right, Kesariya? Might as well use the butterfly's beauty, huh?"

"So you're going to seduce everyone at the gala?" Lakshmi asked uncannily.

Eesha groaned as Kesariya laughed. The foyer was decorated with glitter and many lavish items—the skull of an ogre, the wings of a winged horse, and an elegant sword. Lakshmi thought most of these items should be in a museum, not someone's foyer.

"Smiles, girls," Kesariya said abruptly as they entered the ballroom. They were shocked to find many rich citizens of Inizio at the New Year's Calso Gala. More sponsors for Father, she thought. "Ladies, let's get to work."

They split up to find their own sponsors. Kesariya was talking to a woman named Lady Jolene Genesis, the sister of Lord Naveen Genesis, who was as interested in STEM as she was. Eesha found the same gentleman who held the door and started to chat about butterflies and she lightly brought up the topic of her sick father. Lakshmi was talking rapidly about their father's sickness and demanded a cure from a couple of butlers whom she mistook as sponsors.

After a few minutes, they joined each other empty. "Lady Jolene is kind, but she said she doesn't want to invest in our father's health but my STEM path instead," Kesariya said sheepishly. "But I declined, I need to focus on Father."

"You passed up an incredible opportunity, Kesariya!" Lakshmi cried out. She hugged her older sister before slapping her on the head. "You're so smart and dumb at the same time! The only thing I managed to get was a mocktail."

Eesha sighed. "I didn't get a sponsor either, Sir Kian Foxe had already invested his sponsor for an orphanage. God, why does Kian have to be so nice and charming at the same time? Anywho, I at least got a date next Thursday with him."

Lakshmi smirked. "You're telling me all about it later."

"It doesn't change the fact we still need a sponsor," Eesha said, looking at the big clock on the wall. It was now 10:50 PM, and they only had around an hour to lock in a sponsor for their father.

Suddenly, Lakshmi spotted Lord Naveen Genesis walking up a stage. "He's going to make an announcement, let's go!" Lakshmi grabbed both of her sisters by the wrist and dragged them closer to the stage.

Lord Naveen was a middle-aged man, sporting a black tie with a light blue tie. "Good evening, guests of Inizio. Though, I suppose it's a good night." There were a few giggles and chuckles.

Gosh, these people are humourless, Lakshmi rolled her eyes. Lord Naveen went on, "I hope you're enjoying the New Year's Calso Gala, however, as you probably know, this gala is also a charity event. It's for our many investors to sponsor whatever cause they wish to invest in.

"While I am also a host, I have decided to take part in sponsoring this year. I have a challenge for three brave questers. If they succeed, I'll invest one million dollars each." Lord Naveen grinned as gasps fell over the crowd. Many people raised their hands to volunteer. "But make no mistake—you only have until midnight and if you fail to fulfil the challenge, you will not have the money and you shall be kicked out of the gala, this is not for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, I will be hand-picking the three, so put your hands down."

Lord Naveen scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on the Isoldes. "And what are your lovely names, ladies?"

"I am Kasariya, this is Eesha, and that's Lakshmi," Kasariya narrowed her eyes. Is this a game? It didn't matter, they needed to find enough money to afford that cure for Father. "We need that money."

Eesha nudged her. "Don't be so prude and forward!"

"No worries, I suspect you will do splendidly." Lord Naveen walked off the stage and people moved away for him to stroll up to the sisters. He snapped his fingers. "I have cast a spell—all of Inizio will be watching like a late-night talk show. My challenge is for you to answer my question; what are the rules of midnight, wish, and luck? You'll find your answer in the Rulebook of Midnight, Wish, & Luck. You have until midnight to complete the task."

Lakshmi had a sudden idea. "You don't happen to have a library in Genesis Estate, do you?"