The atmosphere inside the restaurant gradually returned to normal.After receiving a signal from the manager, two security guards approached Daniel and Lizzy with polite yet firm expressions."Sir, Miss. Please come with us."Daniel immediately frowned."What do you mean?"The manager stepped forward. His face remained calm, showing not the slightest hint of emotion."The disturbance that occurred today has caused enough inconvenience for our guests," he said. He paused briefly before continuing in the same professional tone. "I'm asking both of you to leave the restaurant."Daniel's jaw immediately tightened."You're throwing me out?""I'm simply asking you to leave."The answer was delivered flatly, leaving no room for argument."And what's the difference?!"The manager did not respond.The two security guards beside him remained where they were. They neither stepped forward nor backed away. Their mere presence was enough to make it clear that the decision was final.Daniel clenched

Ken's electric motorcycle slowed before finally coming to a stop in front of a small convenience store by the roadside.He glanced at his phone screen for a moment. Less than a minute later, a middle-aged woman stepped out from the side of the store, waving at him with a warm smile."Ken!"Ken immediately turned off the motorcycle and took off his helmet."Sorry to keep you waiting.""Oh, it wasn't long at all." Mrs. Sarmer smiled kindly. "Come on, the house isn't far from here."She started walking ahead while Ken pushed his electric motorcycle behind her, occasionally looking around at the neighborhood.The area was much quieter than the city center. Rows of modest houses lined the streets neatly. Trees shaded both sides of the road, making the air feel noticeably cooler, while the sound of passing vehicles came only occasionally from the distance.After walking for a few minutes, Mrs. Sarmer suddenly slowed her pace."Oh, right. There's something I should tell you first."Ken turne

Only after the words left his mouth did Ken realize just how strange his suggestion sounded.Audrey stared at him without blinking.Meanwhile, Ken, who could usually stay calm when dealing with troublesome customers or System missions with impossible time limits—could suddenly feel the back of his neck growing warm."...What?" Audrey repeated softly.Ken hurriedly raised both hands a little."No. I mean, don't get the wrong idea."Audrey didn't answer.Her gaze remained fixed on his face, causing the explanation he had prepared in his mind to fall apart."I don't have any weird intentions," Ken continued quickly. "And I'm not thinking anything inappropriate about you."He paused before hurriedly adding,"I also don't mean to look down on you just because you just lost your job."The more he tried to explain, the more suspicious he sounded.Ken took a short breath. He scratched the back of his neck before continuing more carefully."The truth is... I can afford to rent this house by my

Perhaps realizing that her answer had been unclear, Audrey let out a small sigh."My mother left five years ago. Since then, I've mostly lived on instant food."Ken, who had been about to grab a dishcloth, suddenly froze.Left?His thoughts immediately caught on that single word.Audrey didn't notice the change in his expression. She was still staring at the ruined food in the pan as if silently evaluating the failure she had just created."I did try cooking once in a while to save money. But only a few times."She picked up the spatula again and looked at its blackened edge. After a brief pause, her voice became slightly hesitant as she continued,"I thought... by now I should be able to do it."Ken looked at her without saying a word. Somehow, the confusion that had filled his mind earlier slowly faded away.In its place came an uncomfortable feeling he couldn't quite explain.He glanced around the messy kitchen again, then at Audrey, who was still standing there with her head sligh

【Identification Complete】[Name: Darren Cole][Age: 34][Position: Assistant HR Manager][Company: Bright Horizon Media Group]A few seconds later, the panel disappeared.Ken didn't let his expression change in the slightest. But his thoughts immediately began racing.The same company.Leaning slightly closer to Audrey, he asked in a voice barely above a whisper, "Audrey. Do you know someone named Darren Cole?"Audrey's hand froze instantly. The piece of meat in her mouth nearly slipped out. Her body gradually stiffened.Several seconds passed before she finally answered."...Yes."Her voice was much quieter than before. She raised her head to look at Ken."Why?"Seeing the change in Audrey's demeanor, Ken immediately reached his own conclusion.She was afraid.If someone from her former company was still looking for her, anyone would feel uneasy. Especially after what he had overheard the last time, when Audrey had argued with someone outside the rental house.Ken casually shook his h