Chloe slowly walked through the airport parking area while dragging her luggage behind her.

Rows of vehicles stood beneath the lights.

Some engines started.

Some people hugged their families after arriving.

Some drivers held boards with names written on them.

She looked sleepy enough to collapse on the nearest couch.

Her glasses slightly slipped down her nose while she kept looking around at the parked vehicles.

Then she checked her phone again.

Alice had sent the description already.

Black luxury sedan.

Specific license plate.

Parking section C.

Chloe looked around carefully.

"There it is..."

"Finally..."

She sighed in relief.

Then yawned while rubbing her eyes.

"I am tired..."

She slowly approached the car while dragging her suitcase beside her.

The closer she got...

The more exhausted she looked.

Her hair was slightly messy from the flight.

The oversized hoodie made her look smaller and softer than usual.

As soon as she reached the car...

The driver side door suddenly opened.

Chloe kept looking downward while sliding her luggage closer.

"You could have at least stood outside..."

"It was difficult to find the car..."

Then she looked up.

And froze for half a second.

A young man in a formal black suit stood there respectfully.

Not Miles.

Not Kai.

A stranger.

The man immediately bowed slightly.

"Sorry."

"There were some last minute changes."

"Boss had something very important."

"I am Finn."

"I work at Sterling Private Security Services."

"I will be your driver today."

Then he politely reached for the luggage handle.

"Let me take care of the luggage."

He opened the backseat door respectfully.

"Please have a seat."

Chloe blinked once.

Then awkwardly adjusted her glasses.

"Oh..."

"Ah..."

"Alright..."

For some reason...

She suddenly felt relieved.

And disappointed at the same time.

Even she herself did not understand why.

Chloe quietly entered the backseat.

The car interior smelled clean and expensive.

Soft lights glowed faintly around the cabin.

Finn carefully placed her luggage in the back storage compartment before sitting in the driver seat.

The engine started smoothly.

The car slowly moved out of the parking area.

For a few moments...

Silence remained inside the vehicle.

Only the soft sound of city traffic could be heard outside.

Chloe leaned her head against the seat tiredly.

Then she suddenly spoke.

"Finn right?"

Finn nodded while driving carefully.

"Yes Ma’am."

Chloe looked outside the window.

Then casually asked.

"Can you tell me the name of your boss?"

Finn answered immediately.

"It is Miles Sterling."

Chloe instantly looked up.

"You mean..."

"The Miles Sterling?"

"The chairman of Sterling Enterprises?"

Finn nodded calmly.

"Yes."

Chloe became slightly more awake now.

"Why would he personally come to pick me up here?"

Finn remained professional as always.

"My apologies."

"I do not have information about that."

"I was only instructed to be at the parking lot."

"And safely escort you to Soul Tower."

Chloe slowly leaned back into the seat again.

Then sighed quietly in her heart.

"What were you thinking Lissy..."

"Why would you send the chairman personally..."

"It is good he did not come..."

"I look like a complete mess..."

Her sleepy reflection appeared faintly against the car window.

And outside...

Star Harbor slowly passed by.

The glowing city lights.

Tall towers.

Harbor bridges.

Luxury districts.

Everything looked alive.

Beautiful.

Warm.

Very different from the loneliness of New York nights she had become used to.

The black car smoothly moved toward Soul Tower.

...

Meanwhile...

Inside Soul Tower...

Tulip Enterprises office floor...

Monica sat together with Alice inside a private room.

Documents and relocation files covered the table.

Large digital screens displayed employee transition reports and housing arrangements.

Alice looked visibly nervous while holding her coffee cup.

Monica calmly checked the tablet in her hands.

Then she spoke.

"The car already left the airport area."

"He picked her up I guess."

Alice immediately covered her face with both hands.

"Chloe is going to kill me Miss Monica..."

Then she sighed dramatically.

"I wonder if she even got into that car..."

Monica lightly smiled.

"I am also going against him in this."

"Do not worry."

"This meeting was necessary."

Alice looked toward Monica carefully.

There was hesitation in her eyes.

"But..."

"What if everything becomes worse?"

Monica slowly leaned back into her chair.

Her expression became calmer.

More thoughtful.

"Sometimes..."

"People only keep suffering because they never face the wounds directly."

Before Alice could reply...

Monica’s phone suddenly rang.

She looked at the screen.

Then slightly raised her eyebrow.

"He is calling."

Monica answered immediately.

"Yes?"

Miles’ voice came from the other side.

"I am sorry Monica."

Monica blinked once.

"Hn?"

"What happened?"

Miles sounded serious now.

"I could not go to the airport."

Monica immediately straightened slightly.

"What?"

Miles explained calmly.

"Actually..."

"On the way to the airport..."

"I saw Celina with her Bodyguard Agent Finn near an accident site."

"A street lamp pole collapsed."

"Two children were injured."

"I am at the hospital right now with Celina."

"I sent Finn with my car to the airport."

"I am really sorry."

Monica’s expression softened instantly.

"How are the children?"

Miles went silent briefly.

Then answered quietly.

"I cannot say anything yet..."

"It looks serious."

Monica immediately became professional again.

"Do not worry."

"I will arrange the best doctors for the case."

Miles sighed softly in relief.

"Thanks."

The call ended.

Monica immediately sent several texts through her tablet.

Alice carefully looked toward her.

"Miss Monica?"

Monica finally looked up again.

"He was not there at the airport."

"Something important came up."

Alice slowly nodded.

"I understand..."

Then she softly smiled.

"But there will be plenty of chances..."

City Hospital Star Harbor

The emergency floor was still busy even during the afternoon hours.

Doctors walked quickly through the corridors.

Nurses pushed medical carts from room to room.

The sound of monitors and hurried footsteps echoed faintly through the white hallways.

Near the emergency treatment area...

Miles stood together with Celina.

Celina still looked shaken from the accident.

Her usually calm and elegant face carried visible worry now.

The image of the injured children clearly had not left her mind yet.

Miles stood beside her quietly.

His expression remained calm as always.

But even he disliked seeing children suffer.

Especially because of someone else’s negligence.

Miles softly spoke.

"Do not worry."

"They are going to be fine."

Celina folded her arms lightly while looking toward the emergency room doors.

"They are just little kids..."

Miles nodded slowly.

"The best doctors are treating them."

"They will be alright."

Celina remained silent for a few seconds.

Then she softly spoke again.

"This is the second time this happened."

Miles looked toward her.

"What do you mean?"

Celina sighed quietly.

"Two weeks ago..."

"Another street lamp pole collapsed too."

"The poles are old."

"They have been standing there for decades."

She looked visibly frustrated now.

"The electricity department from Town Hall announced immediate replacement after the first accident."

"But weeks passed."

"And nothing happened."

Then her eyes darkened slightly.

"Now another accident has happened."

"These children were only returning from school..."

Miles slowly frowned.

His eyes became colder.

"How can Town Hall be this careless"

Then he looked toward the hallway thoughtfully.

"Let me look into this matter."

Before Celina could respond

Several police officers entered the hospital corridor.

One of them immediately noticed Miles.

The officer instantly straightened himself and saluted sharply.

"General."

Miles lightly nodded.

"At ease officer."

The officer quickly relaxed.

"Sir..."

"We have informed the children’s parents and guardians."

"They are on the way."

Miles nodded again.

"Alright."

At that moment

The emergency room doors opened.

A doctor walked out while removing his gloves.

Celina immediately stepped forward.

"Doctor"

"Are they fine?"

The doctor gave a tired but reassuring smile.

"They are out of danger."

"But the injuries are serious."

"It will take time to recover fully."

Then even the doctor sighed.

"This is truly cruel."

"How can Town Hall be so careless"

Celina visibly relaxed hearing the children survived.

"Thank you doctor"

The doctor bowed politely toward Miles before leaving.

The police officer stepped closer again.

"Sir."

"Their parents are arriving shortly."

"You can rest assured."

"We will handle everything from here."

Miles nodded politely.

"Thank you officer."

Then he looked toward Celina.

"Let us go."

Celina quietly nodded.

The two slowly walked out of the hospital together.

Outside

Meanwhile - Soul Tower

The black car slowly entered the massive private parking area beneath the skyscraper.

Finn carefully stopped the vehicle.

Then turned slightly toward the backseat.

"We have reached Soul Tower."

Chloe slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

"Really..."

She looked outside through the window.

And immediately froze slightly.

A gigantic skyscraper towered before her.

Its glass surface reflected the city lights beautifully.

The height alone felt overwhelming.

Chloe softly muttered.

"It is so big..."

Finn politely stepped out and opened the door for her.

Chloe slowly got out while stretching lightly.

Her entire body still felt exhausted from travel and lack of sleep.

Then she suddenly spoke.

"Can you stay here for a moment?"

"Let me make a call."

Finn nodded respectfully.

"Of course Ma’am."

Chloe pulled out her phone and immediately dialed Alice.

The call connected quickly.

Alice’s voice came instantly.

"You reached?"

Chloe looked up at the gigantic tower again.

"Lissy..."

"Why am I at the work location though?"

"I am not even in work attire..."

Alice suddenly sounded awkward.

"Oh..."

"Right..."

"I am coming downstairs."

Then she quickly added.

"I already arranged your apartment."

"Let us go together."

Chloe sighed softly.

"Alright..."

A few minutes later...

Alice finally drove her own car out from the underground parking area.

She immediately stepped out after spotting Chloe.

Finn respectfully helped move the luggage from Miles’ car into Alice’s vehicle.

The moment Chloe saw Alice properly...

She instantly walked forward and hugged her tightly.

"Lissy..."

"I finally see you..."

Alice laughed helplessly while hugging her back.

"Okay okay..."

"People are staring at us."

"Let us go."

Both finally entered the car.

Finn respectfully bowed once before leaving with Miles’ car.

Inside Alice’s vehicle...

Chloe leaned tiredly against the seat.

Then suddenly remembered something. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Tell me one thing Lissy?"

Alice glanced at her while starting the engine.

"What?"

Chloe looked suspicious now.

"Why was the chairman coming to pick me up?"

Alice almost choked.

"What?"

Chloe nodded immediately.

"Yes."

"That man Finn said he was sent because Miles Sterling got busy."

Alice suddenly became awkward.

"That..."

"Uhh..."

"Hm..."

Chloe slowly narrowed her eyes.

"Lissy..."

"What is going on?"

Alice sighed deeply.

"Actually..."

"Miss Monica called me for an important discussion."

"She asked if I was available."

"I told her you were arriving and I had to pick you up."

"Then she said..."

"She would take care of it."

Alice scratched her cheek lightly.

"I did not know she would send the chairman himself..."

Chloe slowly blinked.

Then leaned back into the seat again.

"So that is how it is..."

She yawned again immediately afterward.

"I am very sleepy Lissy..."

"I can literally collapse any second..."

Alice laughed softly while driving out toward the residential district.

"Everything is already prepared at the apartment."

"I personally arranged your room exactly like the New York one."

"You can sleep the entire day if you want."

Then she suddenly smiled mischievously.

"But..."

"There is a dinner plan with Miss Monica tonight."

"So be ready."

"And wear decent clothes."

Chloe instantly looked horrified.

"Really..."

"Do I have to go?"

Alice immediately nodded.

"I heard the food there is amazing."

"And we cannot refuse Miss Monica."

Chloe groaned dramatically while closing her eyes.

"Alright..."

"Alright..."

"Just let me reach the apartment first..."