At the back passenger seat of the car two young ladies are sitting.
Emily and Sophia.
Emily asked her.
The lights of the city streaked past the windows before disappearing into the darkness.
For a few minutes neither of them spoke and remained silent.
Finally, Emily broke the silence.
"So, your dad called you again."
Sophia kept her eyes on the passing scenery.
Her face was calm and replied in a low voice.
"Yes."
Emily turned head and her eyes became soft when saw Sophia's face.
Under the dim cabin light, Sophia's expression remained as composed as ever, no anger nor sadness, only quiet acceptance.
Emily sighed inwardly.
'Her life is full of challenges and responsibilities towards the family.' she thought.
Being the daughter of the Laurent Family wasn't a privilege alone.
It was an endless chain of expectations.
Business etiquette.
Academic excellence.
Public appearances.
Every decision reflected on the family.
Sophia rested her head lightly against the window.
Her gaze wandered toward the dark sky above the city.
Sophia looks outside through the window at the dark and clear sky.
Emily thought Sophia looked like a bird trapped inside a beautiful golden cage.
Beautiful and admired by others.
Yet unable to fly wherever she wished.
The driver continued driving the car into the road.
The night had grown quiet.
Meanwhile,
At the Aurora Lounge hours had passed.
Everyone was enjoying their time at the party.
After a few hours.
Ryan glanced at the watch on his wrist.
'12:00 a.m.'
He looked toward Jack.
"It's midnight."
"We have classes tomorrow."
"It's 12pm and we're going late for tomorrow's classes." Ryan said.
Jack immediately stood on a chair and clapped loudly to gain attention then make an announcement.
"Then let's end the party."
"Go home before we're all asleep in class tomorrow."
Several students laughed.
After that all of them walked outside
The lounge at the entrance, expensive sports cars and luxury sedans lined the entrance.
Professional drivers waited patiently for their young masters and ladies.
A few students who had secretly consumed alcohol chose to take taxis instead.
Ryan sat in his car and went to his mansion.
Nearby, Jack's butler had already arrived.
The elderly man bowed slightly.
"Young Master Jack."
"Your father asked me to bring you home."
Jack stretched lazily.
"Let's go."
After another and another of them are gone.
At last only Adrian and Lucas were standing there for a second, none of them moved.
Adrian walked towards the car. He opened the door and said before he sat inside the passenger seat.
"Don't stand there. Come inside the car."
Lucas didn't reply and sat inside the car.
After some time, a car stopped in front of Reed Mansion.
The lights of Reed Mansion illuminated the vast estate while the servants had long since retired to their quarters.
Inside the second floor Adrian's room.
The room was dark and silent.
He was wearing night clothes and sitting on the chair.
Yet faint sound of ticking of an antique clock hanging on the wall.
A glass of tea was placed beside him on the table.
He replayed everything happening today's event inside his mind while thinking his fingers gently tapped the armrest.
Only one name came to his mind after thinking about Ryan Carter.
He slowly leaned back the chair and closed his eyes.
"...You've changed." He said calmly.
He dive in own thoughts and drifted into flashbacks where they met for the first time.
The charity auction.
These types of auctions are always a nonprofit or charity that organizes the auction and collects donated items like Art & antiques, Jewelry & watches, Household & estate goods and etcs.
Ryan Carter had been there with his father, George Carter.
At that time, Adrian hadn't paid much attention to him or he didn't see him as a threat.
He was simply the son of a businessman who only ranked 1st rate among the 3rd circle of noble families.
His personality was polite & quiet and his presence was forgettable.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about him that made him outstanding among his generation.
Yet after entering Westbridge International University..
It was as though Ryan had become a completely different person like someone possessed his body.
'it not realistic.' Adrian thought.
Another possibility is that he no longer hides his skills in the background.
Nor did he desperately seek attention.
Instead...
He acted only when he believed it was necessary.
Adrian slowly opened his eyes.
"The basketball match with Ethan Vale and joining the basketball club. He was most interested in business from what information I have."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Those dribbling techniques are not seen in this world."
"They weren't something an ordinary freshman should know."
Even Ethan Vale had been forced to adapt.
Although Ryan ultimately lost, he had earned Ethan's respect.
That alone was impressive.
Adrian stood up and walked toward the balcony where cold wind crossed his face and he was overlooking at the gardens.
Moonlight reflected across the fountain below.
Then another memory surfaced.
The alley.
Ryan had appeared at exactly the right moment to stop those students.
He hadn't used violence.
He hadn't relied on his family's influence.
Instead...
He used his mind.
He bluffed the seniors into believing they had already lost.
Adrian chuckled softly.
"I underestimated you."
His reflection stared back at him through the glass.
Then today's party crossed his mind.
Ryan had once again stepped forward.
Not for himself.
But for Lucas.
Adrian folded his arms.
"...Twice."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"You've protected Lucas twice now."
Silence filled the room.
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
"So..."
He spoke to himself.
"Are you simply helping a friend?"
He paused.
"...Or are you deliberately choosing to stand against me?"
The question lingered in the quiet room.
For a long moment, Adrian simply stared into the darkness outside.
Then...
A slow smile spread across his face.
Not warm.
Not cold.
Simply intrigued.
"Interesting..."
"Very interesting."
For the first time in years...
Someone had entered his carefully arranged world without following any predictable pattern.
Ryan wasn't seeking favors.
He wasn't trying to impress powerful families.
He wasn't acting like someone hungry for status.
Every move he made seemed natural.
Yet every action changed the board.
Adrian lightly tapped the window with one finger.
"A capable mind..."
"Confidence..."
"And the courage to interfere in matters that don't concern you."
He let out a quiet laugh.
"I wonder..."
"Who are you really, Ryan Carter?"
The moon hung high above Reed Mansion.
Elsewhere in the city, Ryan slept peacefully, completely unaware that someone had begun viewing him not as an ordinary freshman...
But as an unpredictable variable capable of changing the future.