"That's a lot of steps," Eesha said, wrinkling her nose. She looked at the clock on the wall and realized it was 11: 45 PM. "Never mind that, let's climb those stairs!" They began to run up the spiral staircase.

They finally reached the top, a door in front of them. Eesha twisted the doorknob, only to be horrified that the room was locked. "Oh no, oh no," she whispered, terrified. "It's locked!"

"I got this," Lakshmi said, producing a bobby pin from her messy hair. Eesha was taken aback, stunned that her baby sister knew how to lockpick. It's always the youngest ones who are the most mischievous ones.

She twisted the bobby pin and jammed it inside the keyhole. As she jiggled the pin around, Kesariya sighed. "Lakshmi, that will never work—" The lock clicked. "I stand corrected."

Lakshmi smirked, kicking open the door again. Eesha groaned, shaking her head. It's always the youngest ones who are also the ones with the most dramatic flair. The West Tower was a mess, having various items lying around in the open.

On a desk in the center of the room, there was a book. Kesariya ran forward, grabbing it. Rulebook of Midnight, Wish, & Luck, the cover read. The answer to Lord Naveen Genesis' question lies inside, she thought excitedly.

However, there was a lock on the book. "Hold on," Lakshmi said, sticking the bobby pin in the rulebook's keyhole. She tried for a few seconds before removing the pin and shaking her head. "It's enchanted by Lord Naveen, I can't lockpick it."

"No, it's 12: 55 PM!" Eesha cried out. "Only five minutes until midnight!"

Suddenly, Lord Naveen Genesis himself appeared in the doorway. He walked in and glanced at the rulebook. "You have acquired the rulebook, but you have not answered my question—what are the rules of midnight, wish, and luck?"

Kesariya closed her eyes, feeling hopeless.

12: 56 PM.

We failed Father, she thought.

12: 57 PM.

She replayed all the events of the New Year's Calso Gala through her head again. Suddenly, the answer came to her. It was in front of us the whole time, she threw down the rulebook on the floor at Lord Naveen's feet.

Eesha gasped. "KESARIYA ISOLDE—"

"The rules of midnight, wish, and luck are to make them yourself," Kesariya said as Eesha and Lakshmi stared at her. "At the entrance of the Genesis Estate, there was a banner that said it. You never said we actually needed the rulebook, but rather that the answer was in the book as well."

Lord Naveen Genesis clapped slowly, smiling. "You know, my sister, Jolene Genesis, helped me come up with this challenge. She's become quite fond of you in a short time, Kesariya.

"The spell I cast is now gone, though I'm sure that Inizio enjoyed this thrilling challenge. Well done, girls, the money will be wired to your accounts soon enough. Happy New Years Calso, ladies."

Naveen Genesis disappeared and so did the Rulebook of Midnight, Wish, & Luck. Kesariya was wrangled by their sisters in a hug. "We did it!" Eesha said, sobbing into her shoulder. "Father's going to be okay. We're all going to be okay."

"Yeah, we will be," Kesariya smiled softly.

"God, this feels good," Lakshmi laughed as they heard chanting outside. They headed to the balcony connected to the West Tower. Below them, they saw the infamous banner, but also all the New Year's Calso Gala guests gathered outside.

"Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six..." They chanted below and the Isolde sisters echoed with them. "Five... Four... Three... Two... One—HAPPY NEW YEARS CALSO!" The crowd erupted into cheers and shouts of joy.

"Happy New Year," Eesha said, sighing happily.

"You know, I'm starting to like the New Year's Calso Gala," Kesariya said cheekily, resting her elbows on the railings. The soft, cold breeze wafted through her black hair. "Who wants to come again next year? I'm sure that Lord Naveen Genesis wouldn't mind inviting us again."

"After all," Lakshmi said. "We make our own rules."