Chapter 39 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 Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...