Aliana and Elena arrived at the homestay . 2245 vouchers The place prepared for Aliana was located not far from Hotel Zyrast - just a five - minute drive away - but hidden behind a thick row of cedar trees . The two - story building carried a classic - modern design , with stone - clad exterior walls , large windows , and a warm interior dominated by natural wood tones and cream linen . However , the comfort was in stark contrast to the level of security surrounding it . Two armed guards stood at the front door Surveillance cameras were installed at every corner of the building . The sound of patrolling guards ' footsteps echoed rhythmically , filling the stillness of the grounds . As soon as they stepped into the living room , Elena set down her bag and looked around . Her eyes scanned the elegant wooden furniture before turning toward the window . She murmured softly , " This place … feels more like a secure facility than a family vacation home . " Aliana didn't respond . She walked straight to the large window , gazing toward the hotel in the distance . Her face remained calm , but her eyes reflected worry . She was searching for Gabriel and Marisse , who still hadn't arrived . Elena approached with a faint smile . " I didn't know … you were raised by such humble parents ." Aliana glanced at her briefly , then returned her gaze to the outside . She knew Elena was silently comparing Gabriel and Marisse with her biological parents - Ethan and Olivia Zavier , the influential and wealthy figures in the city of Zenith . " If I may ask , what do your adoptive parents do, Miss ? " Elena asked gently . " They own a small butcher shop in the town market , " Aliana replied casually , without the slightest hint of embarrassment . She saw no reason to hide it . " A butcher shop owner … ? " Elena's eyes widened . She looked at Aliana with subtle pity . Elena imagined Gabriel's modest life - working in the market , waking at dawn every day , surrounded by the scent of blood and blades - while Aliana's biological family lived in opulence inside the elite Zavier mansion . For a moment , Elena's gaze turned distant , then softened . Her head dropped , and tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks . " I'm sorry … " her voice trembled . " I just remembered my late parents . They were also market vendors . We didn't have much , but they always tried to make me happy . " Aliana looked at her closely and gave a faint smile - not her usual neutral expression , but one that reached her eyes - sincere and warm , if only briefly . " Money isn't everything , Elena ," Aliana said softly . " Happiness can come from many places . One of them is unconditional love . " Elena nodded slowly , wiping her tears with the back of her hand . Aliana turned her gaze back toward the hotel . Her face showed mild concern at the continued absence of her adoptive parents . " I'm sure they'll be here soon , " Elena said gently , noticing Aliana's worried expression . " From the way they greeted you 1/4 1:20 pm S Chapter 39 youchers earlier , it's obvious how much they love you ." Aliana didn't respond . But inwardly , she agreed . The love Gabriel and Marisse gave her was genuine . Yet the modest image they projected was only surface deep . Everyone in Ravenska knew Gabriel as a cheerful , down - to - earth man . In his daily life , he deliberately avoided using the name " Corvo . " During the day , Gabriel led a quiet life running a humble butcher shop , chatting casually with customers , and appearing like a man with no influence . He seemed like nothing more than a merchant behind an old wooden counter with a set of rusty scales . But at night - when Gabriel returned to the Corvo family enclave - his demeanor changed . The friendly face vanished , replaced by a cold , calculating expression . He was the executor behind many disappearan silent decision - maker . A voice that was never raised , but always obeyed . In the underworld , people called him by many names : The Scales , The Old Hand , The Southern Shadow - but none dared utter the name " Gabriel Corvo " carelessly . Aliana knew this truth intimately , because she was raised by Gabriel in both those worlds . If in Zenith , Andrian was known as the master of the daylight … then in Ravenska , Gabriel Corvo was the shadow that controlled everything from behind the curtain of darkness . Titan Group Headquarters - Zenith , Central Tower , 58th Floor The sky above Zenith was a heavy grey . Clouds hung low beyond the tall windows of the 58th floor , casting a somber haze over the skyscrapers below . In the wide , silent office , Andrian Velor stood motionless , his gaze unfocused as he looked down at the bustling city . From behind him , Viktor , his trusted assistant , approached and placed a black tablet on the desk . " Miss Aliana's activity report from Elric , sir . Including today's surveillance photos . " Andrian didn't respond . He stared out the window for a few more seconds before finally turning around and picking up the tablet . With a swipe of his finger across the screen , the file opened . A series of images appeared . Some were from security cameras installed by the team , others were candid shots taken directly by Elric - from discreet , calculated angles - all within the past twenty - four hours . First photo : Aliana stepping off the jet in Ravenska . She was wearing a long cream coat , a thin black shirt , and dark jeans . Her hair was half - down , the rest loosely pulled back . In the picture , Aliana tilted her face slightly upward , squinting at the foggy sky . And … she was smiling faintly . Andrian narrowed his eyes . That smile … it wasn't formal or restrained like the ones she usually gave in Zenith . Aliana's smile looked effortless , almost reflexive . Like someone inhaling familiar air after a long time away . He stroked his chin slowly , then swiped to the next photo . Second photo : 2/4 8:20 pm Chapter 39 Aliana standing outside the hotel , still in her cream coat . Beside her was Elena , and behind them . Elric lingered at a distance , keeping watch . The third photo made Andrian pause , his finger frozen mid - motion . Aliana was smiling warmly . In the courtyard of Hotel Zyrast , she stood just beyond the glass security barrier . She was looking at her parents - Gabriel and Marisse - who were waiting to be cleared before being allowed entry . Her expression was unlike anything Andrian had seen before . Her eyes were soft . Her lips curved in a small , genuine smile . Not guarded . Not cynical . It was real . It was human . Andrian stared at that image longer than the others . Almost absentmindedly , he murmured : " So … she can smile . " He scrolled down . There were more photos - Aliana in the homestay , standing by a window , speaking with Elena . But none of those caught his attention the way the earlier ones had . Andrian knew well : Aliana was a woman who held many secrets . She was cold , sharp , and nearly impossible to read . Their relationship had always been distant . Even as husband and wife , bound by family and political agreement , Aliana had always kept a wall up - one he had never managed to cross . But those two photos … revealed another side of her . Something unfiltered . Something real . " Get Elric on the line , " Andrian ordered , his tone flat . Viktor immediately connected the call . Seconds later , Elric's voice crackled through the speaker . " Sir . " " I've received the visual report . Give me your personal assessment . Directly ." " Yes , sir . No suspicious activity from Miss Aliana so far . All her movements have been routine . But … there is something noteworthy from a psychological standpoint . " Andrian said nothing . " Miss Aliana was visibly upset when her meeting with her parents was delayed due to protocol ." Andrian frowned . That wasn't like her . Aliana wasn't the type to lose composure over something minor . " Continue surveillance . But reduce the intensity . Don't let her notice ." " Understood , sir . " The call ended . Silence filled the room once more . Only the faint hum of the city and the ticking of the wall clock remained . Andrian glanced down at the tablet again but didn't open any more of the photos . Still , that image - Aliana's smile - lingered 3/4 8:20 pm Clupter 39 vividly in his mind . D He shook his head slightly , puzzled by how deeply that smile had unsettled him . 4/4