Tyson stepped into the lobby of the Carter family’s company with his usual calm stride. The receptionist, who had received a message from Elias earlier, immediately stood to greet him politely, just before a young assistant approached Tyson.“Mr. Tyson, Mr. Elias asked me to fetch you directly,” the assistant said quickly, a little nervous.Tyson only nodded, his expression flat as he replied, “Alright.”Several pairs of eyes around the lobby subtly glanced in their direction. No one dared to show open curiosity, but hushed whispers had already begun to spread.Tyson’s face and presence were like a transparent stranger in this country, no one knew who he was or what his status might be. To them, he was an outsider, someone not belonging to any prominent family.Yet he was being personally escorted by Elias Carter’s assistant? That alone was enough to make certain individuals in the company’s elite circle, who heard about the incident through their own people, frown and reassess who th

Tyson left the Carter family’s corporate building without haste. The glass doors closed behind him, briefly catching his reflection before dissolving back into the city’s busy flow. As soon as his shoes touched the sidewalk, he took out his phone.Tyson: What do you want for dinner tonight? I can pick it up on the way back to the office.Anna’s reply came quickly, almost without pause, followed by a long string of messages. A list of menu items scrolled across the screen, names that sounded familiar, dishes currently trending online, places with long queues and photos that kept resurfacing on everyone’s feed.Tyson skimmed through them, then typed a single word in response.Tyson: Okay.He slipped the phone back into his pocket and headed toward one of the restaurants Anna had mentioned. Inside, he placed his order with minimal conversation, waiting patiently despite the crowd pressing in around him.A few people glanced his way, some because of the line, others because he looked unfa

Dim lights reflected off the dark wood-paneled walls, casting slow-moving shadows throughout the private club.Music flowed softly, enough to drown out other conversations, but never demanding attention. The air was thick with the scent of expensive alcohol.Elias lounged against the leather sofa, a crystal glass in one hand. The red wine inside shimmered as he swirled it, then drank too quickly for someone trying to think clearly. It was already his third glass, maybe the fourth. He wasn’t sure anymore, and honestly, he didn’t care.“Everyone’s waiting,” he said at last, his voice lower than usual, slightly hoarse.“Waiting for me to make a mistake. Then kick me while I’m down.”He let out a short, humorless laugh and took another swallow.Across from him, Tyson sat in a relaxed posture. His back rested against the sofa, one arm draped over the backrest, his expression flat. From the outside, he looked completely unaffected by the atmosphere, as if the club were nothing more than a

Elias’s face tightened instantly.He stared at Tyson with a look of sheer disbelief, barely blinking. Too many questions piled up behind that gaze, not only what he had just heard, but how Tyson could possibly know.“You’re… sure?” he finally asked, his voice restrained. “How do you know I’m leaving tonight?”The question slipped out before he realized it. Only after speaking did Elias register the strangeness of his own words.The visit was confidential.There had been no official announcement, no entry in the family’s public schedule, and even most of the household staff knew nothing about it. Only Elias and his assistant were aware. It was designed as a short trip to another city, no attention, no trace, precisely to avoid notice.And yet, Tyson knew.The realization struck slowly, but with force.Elias fell silent. His chest rose and fell once before he let out a long breath, trying to steady the turmoil in his thoughts. If Tyson knew this, then what he had said earlier was not me

On the other side of the city, the car drove away from the crowded center, heading toward the outskirts where streetlights were sparse and the buildings looked worn and dull.Gavin was driving. His hands were steady on the wheel, clearly more familiar with this area than Tyson.“This place won’t stand out,” Gavin said without turning his head.Tyson merely gave a faint nod, his eyes observing the increasingly deserted road.A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a one-story building with a faded signboard and a neon light that flickered lazily.From the outside, the place looked like a roadside eatery selling cheap soup and low-quality liquor. Nothing special. Nothing suspicious, at least not to anyone who didn’t know what to look for.Tyson got out first.As soon as they stepped inside, the smell of old grease and cigarette smoke greeted them. Several tables were occupied by people who looked ordinary enough, laborers, drivers, tired faces that blended easily into the backg