Vincent hesitated. "We have a shortlist. Three independent chemists known to work with criminal organizations. Two university researchers who have been quietly selling their expertise on the side. And one pharmaceutical company that’s been accused of leaking compounds to the black market."

Leo’s voice was flat. "That’s not a shortlist. That’s a fishing expedition."

Vincent nodded. "I know, sir. But we’re narrowing it down. Each of these leads requires careful handling. If we push too hard, we scare them off. If we push too soft, we get nothing."

Leo’s jaw tightened. "How long?"

"Another week. Maybe two."

"That’s too long."

Vincent met his gaze without flinching. "I understand, sir. But rushing this will only make it harder. The chemist is our best link to the stalker. If we lose that link, we’re back to square one."

Leo stared at him for a long moment. Then he nodded once. "One week. Not a day more."

"Understood, sir."

Leo stood and walked to the window. The city sprawled below him, millions of people, thousands of secrets, and somewhere, a man who had put his hands on Bella. His jaw tightened at the thought.

Marco spoke from behind him. "We’re close, sir. On all fronts. The West Mafia can’t stay hidden forever. The stalker will make another move eventually and when he does, we’ll be ready."

Leo didn’t turn around. "I don’t want to be ready after he makes a move. I want to strike first. I want him to wake up every morning wondering if today is the day we find him. I want him to look over his shoulder every time he walks down the street. I want him to be afraid."

Derek nodded. "We’ll make him afraid, sir."

Leo turned back to face them. His gray eyes were cold, almost lifeless. "Find him. Find the chemist. Find out what the West Mafia is planning. I don’t care which one breaks first. But something will break. And when it does, I want to be the one holding the pieces."

"Yes, sir," the men said in unison.

Leo dismissed them with a wave. "Get out. All of you. I want updates every twelve hours, even if there’s nothing to report."

Marco stood, gathering his tablet. "Every twelve hours, sir. You’ll have it."

The men stood, gathered their things, and filed out. Leo remained at the window, staring at the city, his reflection a dark silhouette against the glass.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

Meanwhile, Krystal was having lunch with her friends in the campus courtyard. The sun was warm, the food was mediocre, and the conversation was shallow, exactly how she liked it. Her friends chattered about clothes, boys, and the upcoming annual day, but Krystal’s attention kept drifting to her phone.

Mira wasn’t with them today. Krystal hadn’t invited her. Mira had been acting strange lately, quiet, guilty and avoidant. It was annoying. Krystal didn’t have time for guilt. She had an image to maintain and a reputation to protect. As for Mira’s sad, puppy-dog eyes every time Bella walked past, Krystal found them pathetic. She didn’t need that kind of energy at her table.

Her phone buzzed.

She grabbed it eagerly, expecting a message from the handsome guy she had hooked up with the night before. He had dark hair, broad shoulders, and a smile that made her forget his name. She had left his apartment that morning before he woke up, slipping out like a ghost, and had tucked her own number under his phone just in case he wanted a repeat performance.

But the message wasn’t from him.

Unknown Number: Hi, I heard about your mother’s condition, and I want to donate some money. I’m from the Finance department. Are you free now? We could meet at the botanical garden near campus.

Krystal’s eyes lit up with excitement. A student from the Finance department wanted to donate money. People were so predictable. All she had to do was cry a little, look sad, and mention her mother’s illness in a trembling voice, and wallets opened like flowers in spring. It never failed.

She typed back quickly: Yes, I’m free. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.

She stood up, grabbed her bag, and tossed her half-eaten sandwich into a nearby bin. "I have to go," she said, offering no explanation and not bothering to look back at her friends.

Her friends exchanged glances. One of them smirked. "Hot date?"

Krystal rolled her eyes. "You’re not funny."

She walked away, her heels clicking against the stone path, her hips swaying just enough to turn a few heads. Her mind was already calculating how much she could squeeze out of this new donor. She had become skilled at reading people, at knowing exactly how much they could afford and exactly how much guilt to pile on to get them to empty their wallets.

Behind her, her friends leaned closer together and began whispering.

"She’s definitely meeting a guy."

"Did you see her face? She was glowing." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Krystal’s always glowing. It’s called highlighter and probably a filter."

They laughed, but Krystal didn’t hear them. She was already moving toward her next target, already thinking about what she would buy with the money.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

On her way to the botanical garden, she ran into Noah.

He was leaning against a tree near the edge of the path, his arms crossed, his dark eyes scanning the crowd as if he was looking for someone or waiting for someone. When he saw her, his whole expression shifted. The boredom melted away, replaced by something hungry, eager, and impatient.

He pushed off the tree and walked toward her, blocking her path. "Krystal. Where are you going?"

She didn’t slow down. "None of your business."

"Can we talk?" He fell into step beside her, matching her pace. "I’ve been thinking about you."

She kept her eyes forward. "Not now, Noah. Find someone else."

He reached out and grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her sleeve. "Just a few minutes. That’s all I’m asking."

She stopped and looked at his hand on her arm as if it were something disgusting she had stepped in. Then she yanked her arm free, her voice sharp as broken glass. "I said not now."

She walked away without looking back.

Noah watched her go, his jaw tightening and a muscle twitching in his cheek. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

His eyes drifted across the courtyard, scanning the crowd. Then he saw her.

Mira.