h4 style="text-align: left;"embChapter /bb50 /b/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe door behind Aliana and Andrian closed automatically, leaving Albert and Elena standing anxiously in the hallway outside. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian’s office was spacious, decorated with minimalist and elegant furniture. But bAliana /bhad no time to admire bany /bof it. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the wall behind Andrian’s desk. He pressed a small hidden button beneath the desk, and bthe /bwall slowly shifted to reveal a secret door secured with another biometric system, Without a word, Andrian pressed his thumb against the scanner, and the bdoor /bslid open. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Go in Andrian bsaid/b. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana stepped inside with a pounding heart. The room was brightly lit with soft lighting, very different from what she had imagined, bss /bshelves lined bthe /bwalls, neatly disying expensive art pieces and important documents belonging to Andrian. But Aliana’s gaze bwas /binstantly locked on one item in the center of the room–bAlicia’s /bpainting /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe painting stood tall on a disy beasel/b, graceful yet tragically damaged. Aliana’s eyes welled up as she saw a long tear slicing through the delicate canvas painted by herte sister, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emShe moved closer. Her trembling hand rose to cover her mouth, which was suddenly tight with tears she could bno /blonger hold back. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian stood silently behind her, watching her shoulders begin to tremble. He had never imagined Aliana could look so fragile–all because of a single painting. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emSlowly, a pang of guilt crept into Andrian’s chest. He knew how precious the painting was to Aliana, yet somehow he had forgotten his promise to show it to her. His workload, the uing vote–everything had made him neglectful, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emLast night, right after his meeting, Andrian had been nning to go home. But then Bianca appeared and asked him to dinner. He couldn’t say no. Ho knew she’d worked all day trying to win support from the bboard/b. He didn’t expect Ana to be waiting for him until midnight. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Can this painting be restored?” Aliana asked softly, without turning to look bat /bAndrian. Her eyes were still fixed on the long tear across Alicia’s beloved bpainting/b. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian took ba /bslow breath, hesitating before finally replying, “It’s difficult, but perhaps someone truly skilled could manage it.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana didn’t turn around. She remained in bce/bb, /bsilent, shoulders still shaking. Her quiet sobs felt to Andrian like agonizing screams, piercing straight through him. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“I’m sorry,” Andrian finally said. “This painting might be important to youb, /bbut everything happeningtely has been overwhelming. The attackb, /bthe vote tomorrow–I haven’t been able to make time for anything else. Tophorrow’s bvote /bbis /bba /bcrucial turning point I must win.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Lunderstand,” bAliana /bresponded, her voice barely audible, hoarse from crying “I don’t need your exnation” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"embAndrian’s /bchest tightened at her words–resigned, yet sharp. He took a step closer, standing directly behind her /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emHe lifted his hand, about to ce it gently on her shoulder–to console her–but bhesitated/b. Instead, bhe /bclenched his fist, pulling back. He couldn’t bring himself tofort the woman who always appeared so cold and strong in front of him. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emwill find out who did this,” Andrian bsaid /bfirmly. “Even if the situation that night was chaotic, I’ll track them down” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana turned her head briefly, bher /bfists clenched tight as pain flooded her chest. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Don’t make promises,” Aliana replied coldly, oyes returning to the torn painting. “I don’t really care who did it, I just want it restored as soon as possible.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian sensed the hopelessness in her voiceb, /bbSlowly/b, he gave ba /bsolemn nod. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emI’ll got it restored. It will look just like before bI /bpromise.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana said nothing. She just continued to bgaze /bbat /bAlicia’s painting in silence, as fresh tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emb/b/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe room fell into silence. Neither Aliana or Andrian said another word /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe Next Morning /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emBianca woke bup /bwith a pounding headache. She squinted against the bharsh /bsunlight flooding through her bedroom window. Grimacing, she massaged her temples, silently cursing herself for drinking too much and getting drunk the night before. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emVequely, memories from the night before returned. She clearly remembered Andrian helping her out of the car, band /bcatching a glimpse of Aliana standing there–watching them with piercing eyes. Aliana’s cold expression and sharp gaze filled nca with both irritation and suspicion. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emBianca abruptly sat up in bbed/b, moving roughly. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and immediately called Derek. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Derek!” Bianca barked as her assistant entered the room. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion and curiosity. “Did na really meet Andrianst night?” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emDerek was slightly startled by her question. He hadn’t returned to the mansion with nca band /bAndrian the night before, bas /bbhe’d /bhad unfinished work /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emback at the office. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emHowever, Derek made it his business to always be informed about what went on in the mansion, He had anticipated Bianca would ask him. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emHe a /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emanswered cautiously, “Yes, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"ems, Miss. I received ba /breport from the staff that Mr. Andrian spoke privately with Miss Alianast night.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“They bspoke /bprivately?” nca repeated, her voice rising in fury. “Where did they talk?” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“ording to the staff, they were alone for quite a while in Mr. Andrian’s private study.” Derek replied quietly. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emBianca’s blood boiled. She clenched her fists tightly, her face flushing with rage, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Stupid! How could I let myself get drunk and give that woman the chance to get close to Andrian?” she muttered bangrily/b, cursing herself. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emDerek, bseeing /bnca’s fury, lowered his head and didn’t dare to say a word. He knew very well that Bianca bwas /bbtruly /bangry. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Aliana… that woman really doesn’t know her ce,” Bianca hissed again, her eyes burning with hatred. “I bneed /bto give her a firm warning bso /bshe knows where she belongs. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emnca stormed toward the door, ready to confront Aliana for what had happened the night before. But Derek blocked her path with a serious expression. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Miss, the voting meeting bis /babout to start,” Derek reminded her. “You need to head to the office immediately, Mr. Andrian already left earlier this /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emmorning.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“What?” nca eximed, both shocked and frustrated. She nced at the time on her phone and realized she had indeed overslept due to her hangover. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier, Derek?” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em– tried, Miss.” bDerek /bstammered, clearly nervous. “But you didn’t respond. You seemed to be heavily intoxicatedst night” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emnca clicked her tongue in irritation and massaged her temples again, silently cursing herself. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“I should’ve controlled myself. This is all because I got too excited having dinner with Andrian at that restaurant,” she muttered under her breath–filled with regret, though part of her still enjoyed recalling the elegant dinner she had shared with Andrian. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Wait here. I’ll get ready.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emnca turned around and hurried to her wardrobe. She picked out the sharpest, most elegant work attire for the crucial meeting ahead. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Derek,” Bianca called suddenly, her voice turning cold and calcting, “do you have the photos fromst bnight/b–me having dinner with Andrian at the restaurant /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Yesb, /bMiss Derek replied, looking down and quickly averting his eyes as Bianca began slipping off the outeryer of her nightgown. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Send them all to Ana. I want her to know her ce.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emDerek paused briefly, then nodded firmly. “Understood, Miss, I’ll send them right away.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emnca smirked with satisfaction, her gaze filled with hatred and ba /bbsmall /btaste of victory. bWithout /bwasting another second, she entered the bathroom to bget /bready for the important meeting. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emMeanwhile, in the pavilion, Aliana was sipping warm tea prepared by Elena, trying to ease the headache caused by ba /bck of sleep the night before /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emHer thoughts were still heavy–thinking about Alicia’s death and the mystery of the fake Nyx identity that remained unsolved. However, the calmness of the morning helped ease the pressure she’d felt since the night before. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emSuddenly, her phone vibrated softly. She quickly nced at the screen and saw a message from Rade /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em*Miss, I managed to track Julian. He was spotted at a nightclubst night, and this morning he’s located at an apartment in the southern district. We need to move before he disappears again.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana immediately sat up straight, her expression turning sharp and serious. She knew this was the opportunity she bhad /bbeen waiting for. Quickly, she typed her response to Rafe. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Keep eyes on him. I’ll be there soon. Send me the full address. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emA momentter, a message with the apartment address arrived. Aliana memorized it instantly. She looked out the window, scanning bher /bsurroundings cautiously. She knew security guards were still keeping an eye on her movements, but she had to leave. Especially today–when Andrian band /bBianca would be bbusy /bwith thepany’s affairs. She wouldn’t waste the perfect chance to capture Julian, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Elena, I need to go out for a while.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAna nced at Elena, who stood beside her. The woman looked startled, and her expression quickly shifted to concern. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Don’t let anyone know I’m leaving, especially Andrian,” Aliana said quietly but firmly. “I’ll return as soon as possible.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“But Miss, what if something happens /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“I’ll be fine,” Aliana cut her off, her voice calm but resolute. “I have to settle this matter. Please help me, Elenab./bb” /b/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emSeeing the seriousness in Aliana’s beyes/b, Elena finally nodded despite her lingering worry. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Alright, Miss. I understand. But pleasee back safely. bYou /bmust be very careful /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana bgave /bher a small smile, trying to reassure her. “I promise.” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emWithout wasting any more time, Aliana headed upstairs to her room. Elena quickly followed, her face filled with worry and deep concern. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emElena brushed /bto the wardrobe and pulled out a in maid’s uniform they had prepared for emergencies like this. She helped Aliana change–putting her in a long dark skirtb, /ba in white blouse, and a ck apron like those worn by the Velor mansion staff. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"embCarefully/b, Elena tied Ana’s long hair neatly and tucked it under ba /bbsmall /bmaid’s cap that made her hard to recognize at first nce. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAfter ensuring the disguise bwas /bperfect, Elena stepped bback /band examined her work. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“bNow /byou really do look like an ordinary maid, Miss,” she whispered, satisfied but still uneasy. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana exited her room and took ba /bdifferent route than busual/b. She slipped out of the pavilion through the side door that connected to the servant corridor, then moved along a narrow hallway that wasn’t covered by CCTV /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emPushing an empty trolley, Aliana walked with light but cautious steps, asionally stopping and holding her breath whenever someone approached /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emShe asionally bowed politely to fellow staff members to avoid raising suspicion. bFortunately/b, interactions among the mansion’s servants were minimal. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emWhen she reached the back doormonly used by staff forings and goings–Ana carefully scanned her surroundings. After making sure the coast was clear, the quietly opened the door and slipped bout/b, heading straight for a narrow path out of view from surveince cameras. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAliana kept moving carefully until she reached the end of the alley. A taxi she had discreetly ordered was waiting. She got in without drawing attention and gave the address Rafe had sent her. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAs the taxi started moving, Aliana leaned back into the seat, letting out a relieved breath and removing the maid’s cap she was wearing. Her gaze sharpened. This time, she was determined to capture Julian, She wouldn’t let him escape again, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emMeanwhile, at Titan Group, the atmosphere in the boardroom was tense. Therge, elegant room bwas /bfilled with around sixty bboard /bmembers seated around a long oval table, all bwearing /bserious expressions. Many looked uneasy, ufortable, and visibly reluctant. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian sat calmly at the head of the table, his gaze sharp as bit /bswept across the room. To his right, Viktor stood alert, ready to record the results of the bvote/b. On his lett, Bianca sat confidently despite arriving ba /bbitte. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emSome board members exchanged nces filled with irritation and resentment. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emRandall Kent sat with a sour expression, clearly displeased with the situation. He clenched his teeth, asionally casting hateful bnces /bbat /bBianca. He bwas /bstill angry about her tant threats, but he knew he had no choice but to side with Andrian if he didn’t want his reputation destroyed. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emBeside him, Linda Moore sat upright with aposed grace. Her face remained calm, but her eyes betrayed the bdeep /bfrustration she held toward Bianca. She couldn’t believe she had to submit to this young woman due to such humiliating personal threats. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emPeter Choi sat still with a bcold/b, unreadable face, but the bway /bhis fingers drummed on the table bbetrayed /bhis restlessness. He had been forced to vote for Andrian because nca knew his darkest secret—a blow to his ego and pride, feeling powerless and exposed bby /bsomeone he deemed unworthy of being among senior directors. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emEdward Lowell, typically outspoken during meetings, was unusually silent. He sat stoneb–/bbfaced/b, still harboring intense resentment toward Bianca for the threats she made the day before. Yet he dared not take the risk of defying her. With a deep sigh, Edward epted that he had no choice but to bback /b/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian this time. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe meeting officially began as Andrian nced briefly at Viktor, who stepped forward and addressed the room with authority. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“Let’s begin the vote for the major project we discussed in previous meetings. Your votes will determine the future direction of Titan bGroup/b,” Viktor dered, his voice echoing through the room, which instantly fell silent. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian set back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he scanned the increasingly tense faces around the table. Bianca remainedposed beside him, hiding the lingering effects of her hangover beneath a mask of calm satisfaction. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emThe boardroom was thick with tension as one by one, the members began casting their votes. Their low voices echoed, many uttering Andrian’s name with unreadable expressions. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emRandall, Linda, Peter, and Edward all gave their votes reluctantly, avoiding eye contact with Bianca and visibly tense as they voiced their support for Andrian in front of Charlotte and Leonard–two outspoken critics of the project. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAt the far end of the btable/b, Leonard Whitmore wore his busual /bskeptical expression. He asionally shook his head and muttered dissatisfaction at his /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"empeers decisions. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emHe stared coldly at Andrian as he cast his vote with unfiltered sarcasm. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em“I still don’t agree with this project,” Leonard said bluntly, making it clear he was not in support of bAndrian /b/em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian returned the gaze with an icy look, offering no response. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"em4/5 /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAcross /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emtable,Charlotte Dcroix sat with elegant arrogance, her expression unreadable. She observed the voting process closely, knowing that Andrian only needed at least 35% of the votes to pass the project–per the challenge she had issued some time ago. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emCharlotte crossed her arms and smiled faintly, asionally ncing at Bianca with sharp, calcting eyes. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emSeeing several members switch sides in support of Andrian, she knew the victory was the result of Bianca’s maniption–but she chose to remain silent. She waited for the final results, ready to act if Andrian’s votes fell short of the agreed threshold /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emOnce the vote concluded, Viktor promptly tallied the results and announced them with clear authority. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emWith over 35% of the votes in favor, in ordance with the prior agreement, Titan Group’s newest project is officially approved,” /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emCharlotte looked slightly surprised, but quickly masked it with her usual poised and haughty demeanor. She gave ba /bsmall nod to acknowledge that Andrian had met the challenge she had set–though just barely, /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emMeanwhile, Bianca smiled in quiet satisfaction, savoring her small victory over everyone in the room–especially Charlotte and Leonard, who had always looked down on Andrian’s capabilitka.. /em/h4h4 style="text-align: left;"emAndrian observed the room with a cold gaze, fully aware that the support he’d received was tainted with reluctance. But to him, the win was all that mattered for now he didn’t care how Bianca had secured it. /em/h4