Adrian’s fingers paused midair for a heartbeat, then he moved his hand and returned the cigarette to his lips.

Harris tried to study his expression, but it was as still as stone. At first, he even wondered if Boss was truly unconcerned about Miss Veyne being missing.

"Boss... she has relocated to a building in the eastern part of Solmere," he said again, more carefully.

He then waited in silence, watching for any reaction, but Adrian didn’t even blink.

Harris sighed inwardly.

At this point, he didn’t even know what role Miss Veyne was supposed to play in Boss’s life.

Fiancee was already taken, stubbornly occupied by Miss Relanie, her ever spinning brain of schemes, and her army of fans loud enough to qualify as natural disaster warnings.

Girlfriend sounded too casual for a man who in ten years of Harris’s loyal service, had never willingly held a woman’s hand.

Secret lover sounded like the title of a late night drama Harris secretly watched. And honestly, this whole situation was already looking like episode fifty.

But then... what was she. His secret problem? Or maybe his favorite problem?

Harris sighed inwardly. He really felt like he had spent the last few days quietly searching for her across cities, gathering information like his life depended on it, and now that he had finally delivered the result, Boss looked like he hadn’t heard a single word.

Adrian only lowered his gaze to his watch, then uncrossed his legs and straightened up. His eyes moved to Harris and stayed on his face for what felt like fifty whole minutes.

The hairs on the back of Harris’s neck stood on end immediately. He could already feel the countdown to the end of his very hardworking and underappreciated life.

Three. Two. One. Zero. Minus one. Minus two...

"You can leave," Adrian said suddenly.

"...Uh?" Harris blinked, raising his brows in confusion. No judgment? No life ending instruction? Not even at least a single sentence that could ruin his entire future?

But when it became clear that Adrian had nothing else to say, relief washed over him so fast that it made him emotional.

He gave a final bow, already planning how he would go and find his little angel sent to save lives but determined to end his.

Even though the last time he had tried to quietly talk to her without their usual chaos, she had calmly checked his pulse, declared him ’perfectly healthy but extremely annoying,’ and then handed him a manual on how to mind his business before walking away.

Still, hope was a stubborn thing.

He straightened up and quickly walked out of the room.

Adrian’s gaze moved back to the window, settling on the lights of the city below. He stared at it for a long time without blinking. It was only when the phone on his desk started ringing that he finally looked away, his eyes narrowing a little. Then he walked over and his gaze dropped to the screen of the matte black device.

His lips pressed together faintly. He picked it up and then moved back toward the window.

"Mr. Vale," a calm voice came from the other end.

Adrian gave a soft hum.

There was a small silence before the man spoke again. "I heard Elara left Starfall. Is that true?"

Adrian’s gaze hardened, his grip tightening on the phone. But he only gave another quiet hum in response.

The man sighed. "She didn’t tell me anything. That girl is really something else. It was Zia who told me she was planning to leave Starfall for Solmere. She even said Elara bribed her to keep quiet."

Adrian remained silent, his face unreadable.

"What happened?" the man asked again after a short pause. "Did something go wrong?"

Adrian’s jaw tightened. He drew in a slow breath, the air sharp in his chest, but nothing came out. He closed his mouth again.

"Never mind," the man said after a moment. "It’s not right for me to question her decisions like this. I’ll hang up now. But..." His voice lowered. "If she runs into any trouble... just keep an eye on her for me."

Adrian’s eyes swept across the city, his expression almost blank.

"Mm," he replied.

The call ended almost instantly.

Adrian lowered his gaze to the phone in his hand. His fingers moved across the screen, tapping a few times.

Not long, a photo appeared on the cold display. His lips pressed together as he stared at it.

–

Relanie leaned back on her couch, her expression looking quite worn out as she sank into the cushion tiredly. Then she let out a small sigh, staring at the screen on the table in front of her.

"Hi everyone... I know I’ve been quiet since the incident on stage. I just wanted to jump on here and say... please, stop attacking Elara. I saw some of the comments you guys were leaving and it breaks my heart."

She pursed her lips, her eyes moving over the floating comments. A wave of satisfaction washed through her.

User99: "Relanie, you are too kind! She literally pushed you!"

Fan_Girl: "Elara doesn’t deserve your kindness! She should be banned from the industry!"

R4ever: "Our voice of Starfall! You’re literally an angel."

Relanie shook her head, a hint of concern and worry flashing across her face.

"No, really. Maybe she was just... stressed? I’m sure she didn’t mean for me to fall that hard. My ankle is still a bit swollen, but I can forgive the physical pain. It’s just the shock that hurt more, you know? But let’s all be the bigger people. Let’s show her the love she clearly lacks. We shouldn’t turn our backs against her."

Well, who cares if they turn their backs on her? It’s even better if they turn their heels and run in the opposite direction like she’s a plague.

She thought coldly.

User42: "You’re a saint. Elara is a jealous snake!"

Starfall_Lover: "I bet she’s probably hiding in somewhere in Crelou, too ashamed to even show her face!"

Relanie sighed again. "While I appreciate the support, let’s not be mean. I know what it’s like to lose everything and I wouldn’t wish that on her, even if she..."

Her words suddenly caught in her throat as a comment came into her sight...