chapter 102
Chapter 102
Miss Reyes arrived at Adrian’s place just before dusk.
The city outside was still noisy, still restless, but inside the quiet living room, the air felt heavier, more serious. She didn’t bother with pleasantries. The moment she sat down, she placed her tablet on the table and pushed it toward him.
“The board has started moving,” she said. “Evan led it. They accused me of transferring funds to a ‘mysterious chairman.‘”
Adrian glanced at the screen but didn’t pick it up. “And?”
“They’re suspicious. They’re afraid,” Reyes said calmly. “Which means they’re close to panicking. They demanded to know who the real owner of the Cole Group is.”
A faint smile appeared on Adrian’s face. “And what did you tell them?”
“That the money is being returned to the real owner,” she replied. “Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Adrian leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping once on the armrest. “Good. Let them guess.”
Reyes studied him. “They’re already talking about impeachment. Evan is pushing hard.”
“He would,” Adrian said indifferently. “He always moves when he thinks he has the advantage.”
Reyes hesitated, then said, “Are you ready?”
“Not yet,” Adrian replied. “Not until I find the man who sealed my memories.”
She frowned slightly. “You think he’s still alive?”
“I don’t think,” Adrian said quietly. “I know.”
The room fell into a brief silence.
“The moment I show myself,” Adrian continued, “that man will also start moving. He won’t be able to sit still.”
Reyes nodded slowly. “Then what do you want me to do?”
“For now,” Adrian said, “announce that I’m alive.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Just like that?”
“Yes,” he said. “Let the board know. Let the city know. Let everyone who thinks the Cole family’s true heir is dead hear it clearly,”
“And you?” she asked.
“I’ll stay in the shadows a little longer,” Adrian said. “And you should stop seeing me for now. If they trace you to me before I’m ready, it’ll only complicate things.”
Reyes understood immediately. “They’ll start looking for you.”
“Exactly,” Adrian said. “And while they’re looking for me, I’ll be looking for him.”
She stood up. “Once the announcement is made, the entire company will be in chaos.”
“That’s fine,” Adrian replied. “They’ve been too comfortable for too long.”
Reyes looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll handle it.”
When she left, the room became quiet again.
chapter 102
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Not long after, Kai came in.
He looked… unusually cheerful.
“I’ve decided something,” Kai announced, dropping himself into a chair.
Adrian glanced at him. “That’s rarely good news.”
“I’m going to tour the city with Liora,” Kai said proudly. “She’s been cooped up for too long. Needs to see the modern world.”
“And?” Adrian asked.
“And when we got to her place,” Kai continued, “I met someone.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Who?”
“Smith.”
Adrian paused. “Smith?”
“Yeah,” Kai said. “Turns out he’s her brother.”
The room went quiet.
Adrian stared at him. “You’re telling me… Liora’s brother is Smith?”
“According to her,” Kai said. “That’s what she said.”
Adrian let out a slow breath. “The world is really getting smaller.”
“Are you sure?” Adrian asked.
“” Kai replied. “As sure as someone can be when a girl points at a man and says, “That’s my brother,‘
Adrian rubbed his temple. “Things are starting to tangle together.”
“And I don’t like it,” Kai added. “Nothing good ever comes from this many threads crossing.”
Meanwhile, in another part of the city…
The air shimmered.
It wasn’t dramatic. There was no explosion, no thunder. Just a strange distortion, like heat rising from the ground.
And then, two figures appeared.
Princess Elowen stepped forward first.
She was dressed in the style of an older era–elegant, flowing fabrics, delicate embroidery, and jewelry that looked like it belonged in a museum rather than a modern city. Behind her followed her maid, equally out of place, equally wide–eyed.
They stood in the middle of a bustling street.
Cars passed by.
People walked.
A giant screen on a nearby building played advertisements.
Elowen froze.
“…It moves,” she whispered.
chapter 102
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Her maid stared at a passing car, eyes almost popping out. “Princess… the metal carriage… it’s moving without horses…”
Elowen felt her heart beat faster. “So this is the outside world…”
Everything was loud. Bright. Chaotic.
People stared at them. Some pointed. Some took photos. Some laughed, thinking they were cosplayers.
Elowen took a step forward, still trying to understand what she was seeing.
Then-
She bumped into someone.
“Ouch!” the woman said, nearly dropping her phone.
Elowen frowned. “Watch where you’re going.”
The woman blinked, then looked at her outfit. “Are you filming something?”
Elowen’s eyes narrowed. “You dare speak to me like that? Do you know who I am?”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. A princess, right?”
Elowen’s expression turned cold. “How disrespectful.”
“I should call the police,” the woman muttered.
“Do so,” Elowen said proudly. “Let them teach you how to address royalty.”
Ten minutes later, a police car arrived.
Two officers stepped out, already looking tired.
“What seems to be the problem?” one of them asked.
The woman immediately pointed at Elowen. “These two are disturbing public order. And they’re dressed like they’re in some historical drama.”
The officers turned to Elowen and her maid.
They froze.
Not because of the clothes.
But because of the language.
When Elowen spoke, she wasn’t using the local dialect. It was an ancient, formal tongue–one that sounded like it came out of history books.
The officers stared at each other.
“…What language is that?” one whispered.
The other shook his head. “No idea.”
Elowen lifted her chin. “I am Princess Elowen of the Nightfall Zone. You will show respect.”
The officers stared at her like she had lost her mind.
“Alright,” one of them sighed. “And I’m the emperor.”
They exchanged looks.
“Fesbably arsons, *ser said. “Or just messing mount
They back to low. “Miss, puno’t cause trouble here. If you keep this up, we have to take you its
Elsen faced “Zder the h
“To the station,” the ston said
Herald and vegy, Princess. I don’t think they understand who you are*
Elon slowly realized something
This world didn’t recognize royalty
Didn’t recognize kaz
She locked wond again at the day,
At the cars.
At the buildings
A the people staring at her like she was strange,
So this is where he is,” she murmured.
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