Chapter 44 A few minutes after Nyx vanished into the shadows, the scene of the attack began to stabilize. Additional patrol units arrived, establishing a protective perimeter, evacuating the wounded guards, and sweeping every corner of the alley with weapons raised. But there were no traces. No footprints. No blood. No heat signatures. Like a shadow, Ny came and went at will. Andrian sat inside the car, his clothes soaked with blood that had started to dry. In his hand, a sterile bandage given by one of the paramedics. But his gaze was empty, staring into the darkness of the night. "I want all movement data from tonight, Andrian said to Viktor without turning his head. "Public CCTV, phone signal logs in this sector, even thermal scans. Everything" Viktor nodded immediately. "Already ordered, sir, Aerial surveillance units have also been deployed" Andrian nodded, pressing on the wound on his shoulder. But for Andrian, the physical injury weighed less than the psychological shock he couldn't ignore. His long-held suspicion was shattered tonight. Aliana was not Ny But that didn't solve anything. Because now, two questions emerged: If Nyx wasn't Aliana...then who was she rea really? And what had Aliana been hiding all this time? Lost in thought, Andrian was interrupted when Viktor handed him a phone. The screen was lit, displaying an active call. "I've connected you with Elric, sir," Viktor said succinctly. Andrian accepted the phone without looking away by from the window. One hand pressed against the bandage on his shoulder, the other gripping the phone I received the report about the attack. Are you alright? Is the injury serious?" Elric's voice sounded worried. Andrian didn't respond. His face was stern, but his eyes held inner turmoil. "Elric, I want a direct report. Andrian asked, ignoring Elric's concern. "What were your findings on Aliana?" For a moment, silence fell. On the other end, Elric hesitated. It took several seconds before he finally responded, carefully. "I didn't find any wounds aside from a minor cut on her arm, sir. It appears to be nearly healed. No signs of other injuries... or a struggle." Andrian closed his eyes briefly. His breath caught, then slowly exhaled. I see," he murmured. His voice was nearly drowned out by the soft hum of the engine. "So they really are two different people." Andrian's hand clenched lightly on his thigh. The wound on his shoulder still throbbed, but it wasn't what troubled him. What disturbed him was the feeling he couldn't quite name: a mix of relief... and disappointment. "Return to Zenith," Andrian ordered flatly as he opened his eyes. "Assign Aliana's guard to a replacement unit. I want you handling the situation here, 1/6 Chapter 44 Understood," Elric replied. "Way other instructions, sir?" "No. For now, rest. Prepare to return tomorrow. I'll need yo you soon." Andrian pressed the button to end the call. The phone rested on his lap, while his gaze remained fixed on the darkness outside. In Ravenska, Elric still held the phone even though the call had ended. He lowered his head, silent, his expression tense Andrian's order was clear. He was to leave Ravenska and hand over the task of watching Aliana to someone else. But that wasn't what troubled Eric-it was the lie he had just told Elric took a slow breath. He knew full well, when Andrian asked about Aliana's condition, what he truly wanted was certainty. But Elric couldn't provide it. Because he hadn't examined the woman's body thoroughly. He had only checked the wound on her arm, unwilling to go further. He knew if he pushed, he would cross a line he couldn't accept as a man and as a subordinate Linc couldn't compromise his own integrity-or Aliana's dignity-even under orders. And now, after hearing the report that Nyx had appeared in Zenith, Elric felt reassured in his decision. Aliana had been with him in Ravenska during the incident, which meant she couldn't be Nyi. He had suspected it from the start. It never made sense that someone as fragile looking as Aliana could be the legendary assassin feared by the underworld. Elric looked at the door of the room where Aliana was staying, then pocketed his phone and turned away. He didn't feel proud for lying, but he knew: that lie was more honorable than a truth that would wound someone's dignity. Inside the room, Aliana sat near the window, gazing at the fog covered night sky. The wound on her shoulder had just been re-bandaged-nearly dry and closed. But that wasn't what kept her restless and sleepless. Andrian had asked Elric to examine her injuries. Even though the man himself had already checked them before. That worried Allana-clearly, Andrian wasn't easily deceived. He wouldn't be satisfied until he had solid proof that she wasn't Nyx. While Aliana was still lost in thought, the door suddenly opened. Elena entered in a rush, carrying a cup of hot tea "Miss, there's bad news," Elena said urgently. "Master Andnan was attacked tonight" Aliana was startled, immediately rising from her chair. "Who attacked him?" Elena stared at Aliana, surprised. She hadn't expected such a quick reaction. She thought Aliana was starting to care for her husband. "I don't know exactly, because I accidentally overheard Mr. Elric talking to one of the guards. But... I think they mentioned the name-Nys" Aliana was stunned. Shocked by Elena's answer, she froze, confused. How could Nyx attack Andrian, when she herself was right here? "Are you sure you heard that name?" Aliana asked, making sure she hadn't misheard. Elena nodded firmly. "Yes, Miss. Even Master Elrichas been ordered to return to Zenith tomorrow morning" Aliana fell silent, her mind flooded with unanswered questions. Who was the Nyx that appeared in Zenith tonight? What was her purpose in attacking Andrian? And most troubling of all would Andrian be able to tell that the person wasn't her? "What is going on Alana muttered. "Why would Nyx show up there After serving the tea, Aliana dismissed Elena gently. 2/6 19:48 Wed, 27 Aug M Chapter 441 "You need rest too, Elena. Go get some sleep," Aliana said calmly. Elena nodded and exited through the adjoining door that connected directly to Aliana's bedroom As soon as the door closed, Alians grabbed her phone and dialed Rale's number. "Miss?" Rafe's volce sounded from the other end, a little surprised to be receiving a call from her at midnight, "Andrian was just attacked in Zenith," Aliana said without preamble. The assailant impersonated Nyx" "What?" Rafe was startled "Nyx? But you're in Ravenska. "That's why I'm calling you. I need you to investigate who had the audacity to use my identity," Aliana said firmly. Rafe fell silent for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Is it possible the real Nyx made a move?" 681 Aliana instantly knew who he was referring to. She sighed deeply and replied calmly, "Impossible. just saw my mother tonight. There's no way she could've reached Zenith just one or two hours after meeting me They both foll silent. They shared a common understanding: the original identity of Nyx belonged to Marisse. That identity had been passed down to Aliana after Mansse suffered a severe injury that left her unable to fight ke she ance could. "I'll look into who impersonated you," Rafe said quietly. "This might not be a random threat. Someone is deliberately stirring conflict." Aliana murmured softly, "Yes. And we need to find that person before Andrian does." Aliana sat quietly for a while after ending the call with Rafe. Her mind was in turmoil, dozens of scenarios flashing through her head. She couldn't understand who would dare to use the identity of Nyx and attack Andrian in Zenith. But the biggest question in her mind was who stood to gain from the appearance of this fake Nyx? Velor Family Mansion Morning came quickly in Zenith for Andrian Velor. He sat upright behind his desk in his private study, still half-dark, aluminated only by the glow of the monitor displaying last night's CCTV footage. Andrian's eyes were fixed on the figure in black who had attacked him-Nyx. He pressed the replay button again and again, studying every the short but intense fight from the night before. movement in The more Andrian watched the footage, the more certain he became the person who attacked him last night was Ny Not an imitator. Not an amateur trying to provoke a response. Every move, every strike, was too precise-too distinct to be faked. Especially the eyes. That sharp, cold, calculating gare belonged only to someone intimately familiar with danger and death. Those eyes had seen the depths of darkness boo often to be hidden, even behind a mask Andrian took a slow breath. He touched the wound on his shoulder-it still throbbed-but the physical pain was far less than the frustration he felt Last night, Andrian had come so close to capturing Nyx-only to fail. And the incident had reshaped his entire understanding of Aliana, Now he was fully convinced Nyx was her own person, not someone who had been b his side all this time. Nyx was not Allana. 376 19:48 Wed, 27 Aug M Chapter 44 That certainty brought both relief and a new wave of confusion. Because Andrian still sensed a special connection between them-especially after seeing how Nyx had not responded at all when he mentioned Aliana, Andrian realized he still needed to keep a close eye on Aliana-the woman fils wife still harbored too many secrets. "Viktor," Andrian called softly. His assistant, who had been standing near the door, stepped forward immediately "res, sir," Viktor responded carefully. "What about Elric? Has he left Ravenska yet?" Andrian asked. "Elric is already on his way, sit Andrian we as a small nod, then fell silent for a moment.. "Oh... Tighten Aliana's security in Ravenska, but do it discreetly, I don't want to risk anyone trying to harm her." Viktor paused for a moment, then nodded respectfully. He understood completely-though Aliana had been proven not to be Nyx, she remained an important figure to Andrian. Aliana was his lawful wife and needed to be protected accordingly. Meanwhile, in Ravenska, in a hidden underground chamber behind Gabriel Corvo's butcher shop, Gabriel and Marisse were digging through old archives stored in a metal box. Gabriel sat in an old swivel chair, a stack of files spread out before him. Beside him, Marisse scrolled through a tablet, searching for any additional information they might have missed. They had spent the whole night combing through every old record, trying to uncover any hidden connection between Kestrel and Sable-13. And they had found many disturbing similarities Marisse lowered her tablet for a moment and sighed in exhaustion. "It seems we've been too focused on Alexei all this time and failed to notice other traces that were left behind." Gabriel nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on an old photo-a blurry silhouette of a mysterious figure taken at the scene of an incident years ago. "Yes," Gabriel murmured. "We were so caught up dealing with Alexei the traitor that we forgot he was never the true mastermind. He was just a pawn- controlled by someone far more cunning." "Sable-13," Marisse said softly. "I never thought we'd have to face that name again after all these years! Gabriel clenched his fist tightly, his gaze hardening. "We have to uncover their true identity before it's too late. Nyx was our legacy to Aliana. I won't let our daughter face this threat alone." Marisse nodded firmly, her eyes glistening, filled with a worry she could no longer hide. "Do you think Kestrel and Sable 13 are really the same person?" "Their methods are identical, Gabriel replied. "But we can't be certain until we catch them ourselves." Gabriel slowly rose from his chair. His body felt weighed down by the burden of responsibility. He stared out the window, his eyes searching through the thick morning log. If Krestrel truly is Sable-13, then Allana is in serious danger. That woman would do anything to eliminate her." You're right. Chapter 44 Marisse joined him, stepping closer and taking his hand tightly "We already lost Alexei I don't want to los o lose Aliana too. We must find a way to stop this person Gabriel said again. We've survived worse than this before." "We will stop them, Gabriel. We'w Every member of the Corvo family was considered kin, which was why Gabriel mourned the loss of any of them as if they were his own. Gabriel looked into his wife's eyes, then nodded slowly "You're right. We need to move fast. Contact our old network Gather every piece of intel available on Kestrel and her past operations. I want to know who's worked with her-even if only indirectly" "Understood." Marisse nodded with resolve reach out to them right away Gabriel turned back to the old photograph in his hand, eyes lingering on the blurry figure known only by a codename. His mind burned with determination-he would protect Aliana, no matter the cost Gabriel was about to reorganize the documents when his phone buzzed on the table. He immediately glanced at the caller ID, then picked it up quickly. "Aliana?" "Father, there's something I need to tell you. Last night, Andrian was attacked in Zenith. The assailant used the identity of Nyx" Gabriel jolted in shock, Marisse, who had been standing not far from him, stepped closer with a startled expression. "Nyx? How is that possible? You're in Ravenska, Gabriel asked sharply. "That's what confuses me too, Aliana replied seriously. "But from Andrian's reaction aher the attack, it seems he believes the attacker was the real Nyx He even called his most trusted guard back to Zenith." Gabriel exchanged glances with Marisse, their confusion growing more apparent "If that's the case, then this is very strange," Marisse murmured. "No one should be able to mimic Nyx's movements perfectly-except you." "That's what worries me, Mom," Aliana replied. "Until now, I'm the only one who's ever used the Nyx identity. No one else. But suddenly someone's using it. And if Andrian is convinced it's Nyx, then this impersonator must be extremely convincing" "Day you suspect anyone?" Gabriel asked. "No one. But Rafe has already begun investigating Silence fell for a moment. Gabriel and Marisse appeared even more troubled. "By the way, what about your investigation into Krestrel and Sable-137 Have you found anything?" Marisse took over the conversation, her voice weighted "From all the data we've gathered so far, it's highly likely that Krestrel is Sable 13. They share the same kill pattern clean murder scenes, Hawless lethal strikes, and the ability to disappear without a trace. The pattern is too distinct to ignore." Aliana fell silent for a moment, then her voice grew firm. "In that case, I need to return to Zenith immediately. If Julian and Krestrel are still there, they'll surely target Andrian, I need to find them and confirm whether they have any connection to the lake'Nyx or not." Gabriel let out a long breath, "Alright, sweetheart. We'll prepare whatever you need. Be careful out there." 5/6 "I will, Dad. Thank you. After the call ended, Gabriel and Marisse looked at each other with contem. "This is more complicated than we thought," Gabriel whispered. "Yes," Marisse replied. "We need to dig deeper into Krestrel, Aliana can't face this alone? "Hmm." Gabriel looked down again, his eyes fixed on the photos showing traces of Krestrel Without him noticing. 色 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...