---- Chapter 9 Thad no choice but to agree, albeit reluctantly. That night, to make sure I didn't accidentally run into those two, I registered a new account and started browsing internal pack group chats. I wasn't interested in the lavish lives of the young elites. I went straight to the search bar and typed in their names. In the two years since I disappeared, Kyle had completely destroyed Rose's reputation, and in the process, ruined his own as well. About a year and a half ago, Rose became pregnant with his child and appeared on camera, crying in front of the media. The scandal wrecked Kyle's family's reputation. Less than a month later, Rose was reportedly hit by a car. She lost the baby. Not long after, Rose and her mother were kicked ---- out by Kyle's paternal family. They kept a low profile after that, but of course, Kyle and Jones wouldn't leave them alone. Life only got harder for the mother-daughter pair. From the chat logs, I gathered that Kyle was currently on a business trip in Rockwolf territory, and Jones's whereabouts were unknown. That was good news. Five days later, I set off with Linda and two other colleagues. We'd only be gone for a week. Surely, I wouldn't be so unlucky as to cross paths with them. Unless work required it, I stayed in the hotel at all times. The night before our departure, I attended a client appreciation dinner at a luxury hotel. Throughout the evening, I had the creeping sensation that someone was watching me. Every ---- time I looked over my shoulder, there was no one there. A strange unease settled in my chest. I excused myself to the restroom, grabbed my bag, and prepared to slip out quietly. I deliberately headed for the back exit. Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. Fast. Urgent. Familiar. Oddly, I felt calm. Then, I heard a trembling voice behind me. Soft. Careful. Kyle. "Grace... is that you?" I kept scrolling through my phone, pretending I hadn't heard him. He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. His eyes stared wide at me, stunned. "Grace, I knew it. It's really you."