Chapter 43 At the homestay , Elena sat at the edge of the bed , staring at the clock on the wall . It had been over two hours since Alana had left . And yet , Aliana had said she wouldn't be long . The air in the room was starting to feel cold , but Elena didn't think to cover herself . Her attention was fully fixed on the passing time and the unrelenting tension in her chest . was no sign of anyone outside . Not even along the narrow She paced briefly , then checked the window . Still slightly ajar , just as Aliana had asked . There path Aliana had used to slip past the guards . Elena bit her lip . Cold sweat began to form at her temples . Suddenly , a knock came at the door . Elena : a turned immediately , startled . She took a deep breath and walked to the door , trying to steady herself before opening it When the door opened , a middle - aged maid stood at the threshold , smiling politely , " Sorry to bother you , Miss Elena . I just wanted to let you know that dinner has been prepared in the dining room . " Elena forced herself to remain calm . " Thank you , But Miss Aliana is still asleep . She was very tired after the trip this afternoon . I'll let her know once she wakes . " The maid nodded , asking no further questions . " Very well , I'll take my leave . " She bowed briefly , then turned and left . As soon as the door closed again , Elena leaned her body against the doorframe . Her chest rose and fell with rolled . She was grateful the maid hadn't suspected anything . But that relief didn't last long A few minutes later , another knock echoed - this time louder . Elena tensed instantly . She knew that sound . Elric . She opened the door slowly , and sure enough , Elric stood there , wearing a black suit and a small earpiece in his left ear . His gaze was sharp . " Is Miss Aliana still not awake ? " he asked bluntly . Elena tried to maintain a composed expression . " She's still asleep , Mr. Eric , I didn't dare wake her . " Elric narrowed his eyes . " It's already dinnertime . She should be woken " " But- " Elena tried to protest , but Elric cut her off sharply . " Wake her Now . Otherwise , I'll come in and do it myself . " Elena flinched . " Mr. Elric , I believe- " " I'm not asking your opinion , Elena , " he snapped . " Wake Miss Aliana . Immediately . Elena held her breath . She glanced back toward Aliana's bed . There was no time left . She silently prayed that Aliana had returned . As she turned , she nearly gasped - Aliana was lying in bed , dressed in sleepwear , her body tucked under the blanket Aliana's eyes were closed . But just as Elena was about to speak her name , Aliana slowly opened her eyes . She turned and sat up at the edge of the bed , letting out a small yawn . " What's with all the noise ? " Aliana asked lazily . " I was sleeping so soundly . " Elena stood frozen , mouth agape , but no sound came out . She had no idea how Allana had managed to return without making a sound . But one thing- was certain - Allana was back . She was in the room . Safe . " Sorry , Miss . " Elena murmured quickly . " A maid came earlier to inform us that dinner was ready . Then .. Mr. Elric came looking for you , 1/7 Chapter 43 " Elric ? " Aliana frowned . She rose slowly from the bed and adjusted the blanket casually . " Why is he looking for me ? " Before Elena could answer , the door swung open . Elric entered with broad strides , not waiting for permission . " Apologies , Miss . Mr. Andrian anked me to confirm something Elric said quickly . " Ineed to inspect your body . " Both Allana and Elena were taken aback , Elena immediately stepped between them , placing herself between Elric and Aliana . "Excuse me , Mr. Elric . That's inappropriate . You can't just do something like that Aliana clenched her jaw . She understood what Elric's true purpose was . Andrian must be suspicious again and had sent Elric to check her injury . Aliana locked eyes with Elric . " Are you certain Andrian ordered this ? I find your request highly offensive " " You can can confirm it with him yoursell , Elric replied without hesitation . " He asked me to examine your body ." " Outrageous ! " Elena lost her composure . Furious at Andrian for ordering another man to examine his own wife , she felt her mistress was being deeply disrespected . She was about to lash out , but Aliana quickly moved to calm hor . " Let him , Elena . " Aliana spoke without breaking her sharp gaze from Eiric . Slowly , she stepped down from the bed . " What exactly do you need to examine on my body ? " she asked with a blank expression , though her eyes gleamed coldly with challenge . She walked toward Elric . " Do you expect me to undress in front of you ? " Elric immediately lowered his gaze , unable to meet Aliana's eyes . He felt the weight of the task Andrian had given him . But he had no power to refuse it. " A while ago , Mr. Andrian saw an injury on your hand . He ordered me to make sure it hasn't gotten worse ." Elena looked stunned , deeply unsettled . Both she and Aliana knew the real reason Andrian had sent Elric wasn't to check her hand - but to confirm the existence of a shoulder wound he hadn't discovered before . Aliana let out a quiet breath . She slowly unfastened the top button of her pajama , then lowered her shoulder , revealing a small bandage on her rightarm " The wound has been treated . Are you satisfied ? Elric raised his eyes . He looked at the wound on Aliana's shoulder for a few seconds , then gave a small nod . But he didn't stop there . His gaze shifted slightly toward her back . " I also need to examine your back , Miss , " he said calmly . Elena reacted instantly . " What do you mean ? That's going too far ! " Her voice rose , unable to hide her anger . " You have no right to go that fa But Elric remained upright , unmoved . His expression stayed neutral - neither predatory nor inappropriate . " I'm only following orders , Miss Elena , M.- Andrian asked me to ensure there are no other hidden injuries ." Aliana , who had remained calm , raised her hand to quiet Elena . " It's alright , " she said flatly . " But Miss - Elena tried to protest again , her eyes Ricking to Aliana's back , fearing the wound might be visible . Aliana shot her a sharp lock . One signal was enough . Elena fell silent , clenching her teeth Aliana turned back to Elric . Her face was cold and unreadable . Chapter 43 " If that's necessary , then show you ." Without waiting for permission , Aliana stood tall . She lifted her hands to her pajama button and began unfastening them one by one without hesitation There was no shame , no fear . Her gaze remained locked on Elric's face Once the last button came undone , the top of her pajama opened , revealing neutral - toned undergarments that clung to her figure . Elric reflexively looked down . His expression tightened , His jaw clenched . He held his breath . Both of his fists curled at his sides . His face flushed with shame and guilt . As a man , every instinct screamed this was wrong deeply wrong . But he also knew he was carrying out an order - directly from Andrian . Yet not a part of him felt worthy of witnessing that sight . Aliana stood still , her posture unwavering . Slowly , she began pulling her pajama top lower , exposing more of her torso . Her movements were steady , unflinching - as if daring him . But as her hands began to reach for the bottom hem , Elric raised his hand quickly . " Stop , " he said , his voice sharp but trembling Aliana stared at him coldly . Elric turned his head away , refusing to look at the woman in front of him . " … will ask Mr. Andrian to conduct the inspection himself , " Elric said , his voice low and strained . " Forgive me , Miss Aliana ." Without waiting for a reply , he turned abruptly and headed for the door . His head was bowed , his shoulders rigid . He didn't dare look at either Elena or Aliana , Once the door shut behind him , his footsteps faded quickly down the hall . Silence filled the room . Elena stood frozen , speechless . She looked over at Aliana , who still stood with part of her clothing undone , hair slightly disheveled - but her face unshaken . Several seconds passed before Aliana reached for her pajama top and began dressing slowly . Her movements were calm , controlled , as if nothing had happened . Elena stepped closer , still in disbelief . " Why did you let him go that far ? " she whispered , " if he had seen " He wouldn't have , " Aliana cut in confidently . Her gaze fixed on the door Elric had just exited . " He's not that kind of man . He couldn't bring himself to look , even when given the chance . " Elena frowned . She understood what Aliana meant . " But … what you did was dangerous . It felt like you were provoking him . " " I was ," Allana replied flatly . " I wanted to see how far he'd go . And now I know his limit ." Elena fell silent . In her heart , she understood . But the anxiety still clung tightly to her chest . " If he really saw your wound … things could get very serious , " Alana adjusted the buttons of her pajama top , then looked at Elena intently " What matters is he didn't see it , " Aliana said firmly . " And he knows that if he had looked further , he would've hurt his own dignity . " Elena exhaled deeply and sat on the edge of the bed , trying to calm her racing heartbeat . " In that case … hope he doesn't come back tonight . " 3/1 Chapter 43 Aliana nodded and replied simply , " He won't dare . Meanwhile , in the city of Zenith 68 % 量 fsmog . Amid the ever- The night sky had grown darker . Tall buildings reflected the city lights upward , forming soft neon streaks swallowed by a thin veil ofs busy traffic and the ceaseless hum of engines , a black car sped down the main road of the Velor district Inside , Andrian sat upright , his face as cold as ever . He had just left a Titan Group meeting discussing the company's expansion into digital security , in the front seat , Viktor - his assistant - was reviewing something on a tablet , while two pairs of armed guards occupied the escort vehicles ahead and behind his own . " You seem gloomier than usual , sir , " Viktor remarked , eyes still on the screen . Andrian gave a short sigh . " Too many things aren't going according to plan . Especially regarding Nyx " Viktor didn't respond . That name alone was enough to darken the mood further . Nyx - a legendary ghost in the underworld , long hunted by Andrian , who believed she was connected to his mother's death fifteen years ago . Her appearance in Zenith had stirred Andrian's determination to finally capture her . And yet , it wasn't that simple . Even after coming face to face , Andrian had failed to apprehend the assassin , But what Viktor didn't know - what haunted Andrian the most was Nyx's uncanny resemblance to Aliana . Andrian was contemplating what he would do if it turned out Nyx really was Aliana . The car veered into a narrow alley on the edge of the business district , taking an alternate route to avoid traffic . As the vehicle slowed at a tight curve leading into an underground tunnel , Viktor glanced toward Andrian . " We're almost there . Shall I arrange additional security at the house ? " Andrian shook his head . " No. In fact , I want to see … if anyone dares to greet me tonight " Viktor nodded , uncertain , and turned back to his tablet . But before he could tap the next button- BRAGHH ! A small explosion rang out from the front . The escort vehicle's tired burst simultaneously , causing the car to weer sharply to the right and come to sudden halt . " On alert Viktor shouted . to a The driver pulled the handbrake and killed the engine . The guards from the escort vehicles immediately disembarked and formed a defensive perimeter . But before they could scan the area- Something shot down from the rooftop A shadow . A figure dressed in pitch black , moving like a wraith conjured straight from the night itself . She landed precisely on the hood of the car , then sprung off and attacked in seconds . " Protect the young master " one of the guards shouted , drawing his weapon . Too late . Nys had already struck . 4/1 19:48 Wed , 27 Aug M Chapter 43 68 % 0 With speed and technique no ordinary person could match , she slammed her open palm into the first guard's chest , crushing his vest and sending him . rolling . Two others charged at once , but Nyx spun mid air , landing a powerful kick that knocked one off his feet . The other tried to fire - but before the trigger could be pulled , Nyx had twisted his arm and snapped his elbow from behind . In less than fifteen seconds , all four of Andrian's guards were down . " Get out ! " Viktor yelled , Ringing open the left door for the driver . But Andrian was already outside . He stood calmly beneath the streetlight , his figure tall , his coat swaying in the night breeze . His eyes fixed directly on the masked figure standing just meters away . " So , you've finally shown yourself , " Andrian said flatly . Deep down , he was surprised . The Nyx who had been haunting him all day - because of her resemblance to Aliana - was not the same woman . They were different people . Aliana was far away in Ravenska . Nyx was standing right before him. Nyx didn't speak , She stood tall , her face hidden beneath a smooth nano - fiber mask . Only her sharp eyes were visible through the slit - cold eyes full of control Andrian stepped forward . " What do you want ? " Nyx moved swiftly . Without warning , she lunged with a diagonal slash of her silver dagger . Andrian was nearly too late to dodge . The blade grazed his coat and sliced into the skin of his shoulder , leaving a thin but deep wound that began to bleed slowly . He stepped back , suppressing the sting , but instead of flinching - he smiled . " So , you really are Nyx . " Blood seeped into the sleeve of Andrian's black coat , but he never took his eyes off the figure before him . Beneath the pain pulsing through him , one truth rooted itself deeper in his mind - the woman in front of him truly was Nyx , the one he had hunted all this time Andrian hadn't just been chasing Nyx . He had studied her combat techniques . He had read every black report available , collected surveillance footage from underground operations , and analysed the patterns left behind on her victims Every wound , every s y strike , every faint trace left at a scene he gathered and mapped them all . He had even reconstructed simulated combat scenarios based on the angle of injuries and the nature of the attacks . Which is why , even after fighting her only once , Andrian could now confirm with certainty : the person standing before him was Nyx . Nyx spun , attacking again . A low kick to the legs , a stab toward his abdomen, and a follow - up strike toward his neck . Andrian defended himself , but she was clearly faster . He blocked some of the blows , but still took two hits - one to the chest , the other to his shoulder . He was thrown backward , slamming into the open door of the car Viktor moved to assist , but Nyx turned sharply toward him and raised her hand . " One more step and you die . Her voice was cold . Her command , absolute Viktor froze , slowly raising his hands to indicate retreat . He knew Nya wasn't bluffing . it he moved without Andrian's command , things would only escalate . 5/7 19:48 weg , 27 Aug Chapter 43 Andrian stood slowly , his left hand pressing on his bleeding shoulder . But his eyes betrayed no pain - only sharpness … and something new realization . Nyx spoke again . " Stay out of my business , Velor . I'm not at war with you . But if you get in my way - I won't hesitate to take you down ." Andrian stared at her . "If you're not my enemy … why attack me ? " " Because you keep chasing shadows you refuse to understand . " Silence . Andrian studied the figure before him . Then , he nodded slowly . " Do you Nyx's body tensed slightly , but she didn't respond . know / Allana ? " Andrian pressed further . " Or do you want to know her ? " Nyx said nothing . But from the glint in her eyes behind the mask , Andrian could read it . Quietly there was an admission He stared longer . " What is your connection to Aliana ? Why did you try to kill me the other night ? Did she order you to ? " " I've never attacked you before . " Andrian wasn't surprised by Nyx's denial . He already knew - the one who tried to kill him days ago was a man . Although the attacker had used a knife , his fighting style had not matched Nyx's . He was testing her . Trying to find out if Nyx had any special connection to Allana . And the resemblanco … even in posture and movement … was too uncanny . " I came to warn you, Velor . Stay out of my affairs , " Nye said firmly . She turned slowly . " If you ignore this warning … don't blame me for what comes next . " Andrian didn't get a chance to reply . In one swift motion , Nyx launched herself up the tunnel wall and disappeared into the darkness like a gust of wind , Andrian stood still , breathing heavily . Blood dripped from his shoulder , slowly pooling on the ground . But he didn't complain . Viktor rushed over . " Sir ! Are you alright ? " Andrian didn't respond d right away . His gaze was locked on the shadows where Nyx had vanished . After a moment , he finally spoke , voice low . " She's not Aliana . But … she knows her . " " Call Elric . " Viktor looked at him with concern . " We should treat your wound first , sir . " " Now , " Andrian ordered , his eyes sharp . " Tell him - Nyx showed up tonight ." " Y - yes , sir , " Viktor didn't argue e further . He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Elric , following closely behind Andrian as he walked back toward the cat .