“No, thank you…”
Avira shook her head, her sleepy tone carrying a hint of weariness.
Yawning softly, she added, “I’m starving and sleepy. I want to go home and sleep…”
She freed one hand to wipe at the corner of her eye before turning to leave.
“Wait…”
As if afraid she would vanish, Nimca instinctively reached out to grab her wrist.
But once again, she effortlessly sidestepped his attempt, leaving his hand grasping at empty air.
The entertainment world…
When she was younger, she thought the people on television looked glamorous and radiant.
But later, she realized that everyone’s choices came with inevitable constraints.
In that dazzling world, there were chains that bound even the brightest stars.
Chains like freedom…
Chains like the right to love someone freely…
And then there were shadows.
Once, she had cast aside everything to become a shadow.
Over time, she had started to forget what it felt like to like something, to chase after something.
But whatever it was she might want to pursue, it certainly wasn’t the entertainment industry.
She loved sleeping and eating cake, but dealing with complications? That was her least favorite thing in the world.
Nimca stood there, frozen, his eyes fixed on her receding figure.
For a moment, it felt as though he could see a pair of black wings unfurling behind her.
Who is this girl…?
“Nicholas.”
Breaking out of his reverie, Nimca’s lips curved into a charming smile.
“Find out everything about her.”
“Understood.”
Adjusting his glasses, Nicholas allowed his gaze to linger on the figure disappearing into the city streets.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and a kaleidoscope of lights began flickering to life across the city.
Avira had barely reached the base of her apartment building when she noticed a sleek black Bentley idling by the entrance.
Its headlights blinked once, as if signaling her.
A moment later, an elderly butler dressed in a pristine black suit stepped out of the car and opened the door with a respectful bow.
“Good evening. My Boss has sent me to escort you.”
Hugging her bag of baked goods tightly, Avira tilted her head, confusion clouding her dark eyes.
“Boss? Who?”
She didn’t recall making any arrangements with Asake. And if it had been him, surely Lucas would have been the one to come for her…
Whoever this “Boss” was, they clearly knew her well enough to find her.
But aside from her work, she hadn’t maintained any contact with her former clients.
“My Boss instructed me to mention a name—one that, upon hearing, you would undoubtedly agree to come.”
Noticing her hesitation, the butler’s smile remained warm as he bowed slightly.
“That name is…”
He softly spoke a name, and Avira’s previously dazed expression froze instantly.
Seeing her reaction, the butler’s gentle smile deepened.
Boss… This girl must mean a great deal to you, doesn’t she?
Otherwise…
You wouldn’t have carried her in your heart all these years.
Night Residence
Luxury cars lined the estate’s expansive parking lot.
The lavish villa, illuminated by the night’s glow, exuded an aura of opulence and extravagance.
Inside the grand hall, guests filled the space, their elegant attire blending seamlessly with the gleaming decor.
Night Bo Yan, the president of the Night Group, stood surrounded by prominent figures from the business world, engaged in polite conversation.
His tall, refined stature, coupled with his sharp, dignified features, exuded a natural sophistication.
The tailored suit he wore only enhanced his aristocratic air, but his calm and slightly distant demeanor remained ever-present—a quality the others failed to perceive.
“By the way, has your esteemed son chosen a fiancée yet?”
After circling around several topics, the conversation inevitably landed here.
A flicker of impatience flashed in Night Boyan’s eyes but vanished as quickly as a firework’s ember, dissipating into nothingness before anyone could notice.
His expression remained poised and refined, a faint smile gracing his lips. “About that question…”
Just as he was about to continue, the gilded mahogany doors were pulled open by the butler. His gaze shifted subtly, stopping at the young man entering from the outside. His lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly. “My apologies. I have an important guest.”
The young man stepped in, his tailored black suit accentuating his tall and lean frame.
Under the radiant glow of the crystal chandelier, his porcelain-like skin gleamed with a lustrous sheen. His jet-black hair, soft and smooth, shimmered faintly with silver highlights under the light.
