“This conversation isn’t over,” he said with a small smile. “Let’s continue it after I’m back.” With that, he left the room, leaving Sera alone with her thoughts.
Sera sat still, staring at the closed door. Her mind was in turmoil. Jed knew. Maybe he didn’t know the details yet, but he had already sensed that someone was controlling her. That wasn’t good.
She needed to be more careful. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. Panic would only make her reckless.
At that moment, her phone vibrated inside her bag. She took it out and glanced at the screen.
[Incoming Call: Sophia]
She hesitated for a moment before answering. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire
“Sophia?”
“Sera, where are you? Are you still at the police station?”
“Yeah.”
“Geez, what are you doing there? Did something happen?”
Sophia, Sera’s college roommate, was the kind of girl who had zero awareness of how cruel the world could be. She was innocent, kind-hearted, and… incredibly naïve.
In short, the kind of person who would walk into a scam with a smile, thinking she had made a new friend.
Sera forced herself to sound normal. “It’s nothing serious. Just some personal matters.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then hurry back!” Sophia whined. “We’re supposed to go shopping today, remember?”
‘Shopping?’ Sera had completely forgotten. Before she could answer, Sophia continued excitedly,
“Oh! And guess what? The man from the business school name Logan, asked me out!”
Sera’s grip on her phone tightened.
‘Logan?’ The name sent a chill down her spine. Sophia kept talking, completely unaware of Sera’s sudden silence.
“He’s so handsome! And he’s rich too! I mean, I know people say he has a bit of a bad reputation, but that’s just gossip, right? He seems really nice!”
Sera’s heart pounded.
‘No. No, no, no. This is bad.’ She had tried so hard to keep herself away from Logan’s attention. But now, her clueless roommate had walked right into his sights.
Sera forced herself to speak calmly.
“Sophia, listen to me. You can’t go out with him.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Because—” Sera hesitated.
‘What could I say? That Logan was a dangerous man? That he might have been involved in her parents’ deaths? That he was the kind of person who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy anyone who got in his way?’
Sophia would never believe her. So instead, she said, “Because I need you to go shopping with me instead.”
Sophia groaned. “Seriously? But—”
“No buts,” Sera interrupted, forcing a lighthearted tone. “You promised, didn’t you? Besides, I need some new clothes, and I need your fashion advice.”
Sophia hesitated. “…Fine. But you owe me treat”
“Deal.” Sera hung up, exhaling deeply. She had bought herself some time. But it wasn’t enough.
She needed to find a way to keep Sophia far, far away from Logan.
Jed had originally planned to dig deeper into Sera’s parents accident. But with the sudden emergence of a murder case, his priorities were forcefully shifted.
As a fresh graduate from the police academy, he was still a rookie in the field. Yet, now he was being pulled straight into the deep end, a real homicide case. It was a rare opportunity to gain firsthand experience, so he had no choice but to go along.
Meanwhile, Sera left the police station alone.
As she stepped outside, she looked up at the heavy, overcast sky. The air felt thick, as if it was on the verge of a downpour.
Her heart was just as cloudy.
‘Would the police actually follow up on her case? Would they find anything? Or would this all be swept under the rug, just like three years ago?’
These thoughts just ringed in his mind again and again. She didn’t know. But one thing was clear, her inner balance was shifting.
A decision that she had been hesitant to make was slowly becoming inevitable.
….
Xxxx Avenue was the busiest and most extravagant street in the City.
It was home to Night Bar, the most famous nightclub in the area. A place where money flowed like water, where the city’s elite, celebrities, and underworld figures gathered to indulge in their vices.
More importantly, it was one of Alex’s businesses. Despite being the owner, Alex rarely visited.
Compared to the chaotic, hormone-fueled energy of a nightclub, he preferred the slow, refined atmosphere of a lounge.
But tonight, he made an exception.
Why? Because he was waiting for the second female lead to make her entrance.
It was a well-known fact that every cliché novel followed a certain pattern when it came to the protagonist’s female companions:
•The Aristocratic Lady:- Graceful, poised, and raised in the lap of luxury, she carries herself with an air of elegance befitting her prestigious lineage. Beneath her refined demeanor lies a sharp intellect and a will of steel, making her a formidable presence in any room.
•The Fiery Detective:- Fiercely independent and unafraid to speak her mind, she is a dedicated officer with a strong sense of justice. Her temper often gets the best of her, leading to frequent clashes with the protagonist, but beneath her tough exterior is a heart that longs for connection.
•The Ice Queen CEO:- Commanding, ruthless, and the very definition of power, she has built an empire with her own hands. She demands excellence from everyone around her, yet behind closed doors, there exists a side of her that few ever get to see—a vulnerable, lonely heart longing for warmth.
•The Struggling Beauty:- Sweet, kind-hearted, and full of quiet resilience, she comes from a humble background and works tirelessly to support herself. Though life has not been easy, she never loses her optimism or her gentle nature, drawing others to her like a beacon of light in the darkness.
•The Adoring Little Sister:- Innocent, cheerful, and full of admiration for the protagonist, she sees the world through bright, trusting eyes. Whether by blood or by bond, she clings to him with unwavering devotion, always believing in his strength and kindness.
And tonight, the ‘The Struggling Beauty’ was supposed to appear. Her setup was always the same… A sick mother or grandmother in need of expensive medical treatment.
A desperate struggle to make ends meet. A part-time job in a nightclub or some store. A clueless thug who decided to harass her.
And at the perfect moment, the protagonist appears, playing the hero. A classic, overused storyline.
Alex still found it amusing. Sitting at the dimly lit bar, he ordered a simple drink.
“One non-alcoholic drink.” The bartender, a short-haired woman with a flirtatious smile, immediately recognized him.
“Right away, boss. Please wait a moment.” Although Alex rarely showed up, everyone in the bar knew who he was.
After all, it was standard protocol for villains in powerful organizations to be instantly recognized by their subordinates.
…
Bonus Chapters on: 500, 1000, 1500 Power Stones.
…
(A/N: Soon! Some Golden tickets guys!!!)
Don’t forget to add this novel to your library and sent some power stones for support if you like the novel.