Afternoon —
The atmosphere is tense as everyone gathers in the sleek, glass-paneled meeting room.
Chairs shift. Fingers tap nervously. The screen behind the podium flickers to life.
A hushed silence falls the moment Ryan enters the room.
He walks in with quiet authority, his presence commanding without a word. Everyone rises from their seats in a silent show of respect.
Without glancing around, he takes his seat at the head of the table.
"Let's begin," he says, his voice calm but absolute.
Liora stands first.
With a swipe on the digital pad, her presentation lights up the screen. She begins with a steady voice, detailing the company's recent performance—profits, losses, and the timeline for upcoming events.
Her tone is professional, confident. Numbers scroll. Charts rise and fall. The room listens in measured silence.
Then—
Ryan leans slightly forward, eyes settling on someone else.
"Ealina," he says.
Her name slices through the stillness like a blade.
She stiffens slightly, caught off-guard.
"Tell us," Ryan continues, "what progress have you made… on the Masked Artist?"
All eyes shift to her.
A single breath.
And Ealina rises, her fingers clutching the edge of the table for a moment before she straightens her spine and walks toward the front of the room—where the screen still glows with Liora's final slide.
The soft click of her heels is the only sound echoing now.
"We began tracing the name 'Masked Artist'… Daerien N.," she says, tapping on the tablet. The screen behind her flickers, showing a cluster of identical names.
"We found dozens of profiles. Many using the same alias. It was like chasing shadows. But—" she looks directly at Ryan, "we finally found the real one."
A pause.
She continues, "Just an hour ago… he messaged us. He agreed to a meeting."
The room shifts—shoulders straighten, eyes widen.
Ryan's gaze sharpens.
"You found him."
Ealina nods. "Yes."
"When will he come?" he asks, voice low and focused.
Aren leans forward.
"He'll arrive tomorrow morning."
Ryan nods slowly, thinking.
"Schedule a meeting with him. First thing."
"Yes, sir," Aren replies without hesitation.
Ryan's expression is unreadable—but the tension in the air coils tighter, as if something bigger is about to unfold.
The masked artist... finally within reach.
Liora steps forward, her tone firm and focused.
"We also have a major event coming up in five days. We need to start preparing immediately."
She taps on her tablet, and the screen behind her displays the company logo shimmering with the number 100th beneath it.
"It's our company's 100th anniversary," she announces. "And it won't be small."
Jace nods in agreement.
"It's going to be big—and there's a celebration planned for that night. A grand party."
"All artists are expected to attend," Liora adds. "So everything has to be flawless."
She begins assigning responsibilities, dividing tasks among the employees like clockwork.
"Nana, you'll handle the guest list and invitations."
"Mike—coordinate with the vendors and set up the stage logistics."
The two raise their hands almost at the same time.
"Ma'am, we need to ask something," Nana speaks up.
"Yeah," Mike adds, "Where exactly is the night party happening?"
Liora raises an eyebrow, arms crossed.
"Look at you two… You never show this much excitement when I hand out work, but the moment a party is mentioned—suddenly, you're first in line."
A few soft chuckles ripple through the room.
Even Ealina smiles, letting out a small laugh—until she notices Ryan's gaze fixed on her.
Her smile fades instantly. She straightens and quickly moves toward Liora, pretending to study the tablet in her hands.
Lyra notices the shift, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Just then, a knock echoes at the door.
A delivery boy steps in, carrying a tray.
"Coffee delivery!" he calls out.
Mike grabs the tray, thanking him, and starts offering drinks around the room.
When he approaches Ealina with a cup, Lyra swiftly steps between them.
"She doesn't drink coffee," she says, eyeing Ryan subtly.
Mike blinks. "It's not coffee—it's a strawberry milkshake. I know Ealina doesn't like coffee."
Lyra tilts her head, surprised. "Oh? How do you know?"
Mike shrugs, slightly bashful. "I've seen her a lot. When you all drink coffee, she always picks something sweet instead."
Lyra smirks. "Wow. You've really observed her, huh?"
Mike turns red and quickly offers her a coffee instead.
She chuckles, "Thanks."
Across the room, Ryan watches everything unfold—his eyes sharp, unreadable.
Mike walks over and, with polite hesitation, offers a cup to him.
"Sir… coffee?"
Ryan doesn't speak.
He simply gives Mike a long, hard look—one that freezes him mid-motion.
Mike lowers the cup awkwardly, eyes darting away.
A heavy silence lingers.
Then, Liora claps her hands once.
"That's all for now. Meeting dismissed."
Everyone begins moving, the meeting is now over. Papers shuffle, voices rise with purpose, and footsteps echo down the hallway as the team splits up to handle their assigned tasks.
Liora calls out assignments, her voice steady and authoritative.
"Nana, Mike—you'll be working with Ealina's group. Coordinate on the event visuals and guest communications."
Nana walks over with a cheerful bounce. "Got it!"
She glances at Ealina, her curiosity already bubbling.
"So... Ealina," she says with a grin, "this Daerien N. guy—how did you find him? I heard he's super mysterious."
Ealina gives a small smile, not quite ready to spill everything. "Let's just say... it wasn't easy."
Just then, Aren steps in, waving toward Mike.
"Come on," Aren says. "We need to dig into last year's company reports for the anniversary prep."
Mike nods and hurries after him.
They head toward the archive room, where shelves are packed with old files and data drives. Dust floats lazily in the air, catching the golden light that filters through the blinds.
Aren grabs a thick binder labeled Annual Reports – Year 99 and starts flipping through it.
"We need full data on the previous anniversary," he mutters. "Schedule, guest list, artists, performances—everything. Let's not leave a single thing out."
Mike begins jotting down notes, his earlier awkwardness gone as he focuses on the task at hand.
The preparation has officially begun.
Morning — Outside the Company
A man stands casually at the entrance—simple black tee, dark jeans, sunglasses masking half his face. Hands in his pockets, he surveys the building with calm curiosity.
Just then, Nana walks up the path, late as usual, half-eating her sandwich.
She notices him loitering.
Squinting suspiciously, she steps closer.
"Hey—who are you? Are you looking for someone?"
The man turns his head slightly, voice relaxed.
"I'm Daerien N."
That's all he gets to say.
Nana's eyes widen like saucers. "Wait. WHAT?! YOU'RE—"
She doesn't let him finish.
"Oh no, you're coming with me right now."
She grabs his wrist and pulls him toward the entrance before he can blink.
"Wait—uh—" he tries to say something.
"No time!" she hisses. "Lyra's gonna explode. Just don't vanish, okay?"
He stumbles slightly, letting himself be led, clearly amused but confused.
Inside the Company — Hallway
Lyra walks around the corner, eyes on her tablet.
Nana nearly collides into her.
"LYRA!"
"Wha—what now?!" Lyra flinches.
Nana shoves the man forward with pride.
"Look who I found!"
The man lifts his glasses with a small nod.
"Hello. I'm Daerien N."
Lyra freezes, mouth open.
Nana beams. "You're welcome."
The man looks between the two women, clearly still catching up to the chaos.
Lyra quickly composes herself and extends a hand. "Welcome to our company. We've been waiting to meet you."
She guides him down the corridor. "Let me take you to the meeting room."
Once there, she dials Aren and Ealina, letting them know their guest has arrived.
A few moments later, Aren, Ealina, and Mike walk in.
Mike, barely able to contain himself, rushes up and grabs Daerien N's hand enthusiastically.
"I'm a huge fan! Can I take a selfie with you?!"
Before Daerien can respond, Lyra yanks Mike's ear and pulls him aside.
"Ow! Hey—!"
"Don't embarrass us!" she hisses. "Let the man breathe!"
Liora enters next, her voice sharp as ever. "Has Mr. Daerien N arrived yet?"
Ealina steps forward with a polite smile. "Yes, he has. Liora, this is Mr. Daerien N."
Liora shakes his hand firmly. "Welcome. We're honored to have you."
Then Ealina asks the question on everyone's mind. "Where's the boss?"
Liora sighs, tucking her tablet under her arm. "Something urgent came up. Ryan had to leave this morning. He'll be gone for a few days… but he'll return just in time for the company anniversary."
Ealina's smile fades slightly but she nods in understanding.
Liora turns to Mike, speaking quietly, "Please arrange proper stay for Mr. Daerien N. until Ryan returns."
Mike salutes jokingly. "On it!"
Liora exits, already fielding calls.
Back in the room
Daerien N checks his watch. "Apologies, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. I'll need to head out soon."
Mike quickly steps in. "Sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Please stay at one of our hotels until Mr. Ryan returns. We'll make all the arrangements."
Lyra blinks. "Wait… we run hotels too?"
Nana grins. "You thought Ryan only owned this art company?"
"Wow," Lyra murmurs. "After the anniversary, we have to ask him for a vacation package."
Mike sighs. "The boss doesn't hand out holidays like candy."
Lyra smirks. "Oh, he will this time. Don't worry."
Nana leans toward Mike, eyes sparkling. "Include us in the request, please?"
Mike groans. "You two are already planning the vacation?"
Evening — Office
The team is back to work—emails flying, calls echoing, designs coming to life.
Ealina, seated at her desk, is checking event arrangements when her phone buzzes.
A new message lights up her screen.
Her finger moves toward it—
But Aren calls from the other side of the room.
"Ealina, I need you here for a moment."
She hesitates… then slides the phone aside and heads toward him.
The message goes unopened.
As night deepens, the office lights continue to burn.
Preparations for the 100th anniversary are in full swing. Artists from across the region are being contacted, arrangements made, schedules locked in.
100th Anniversary – Morning
The grand art gallery glows with vibrant lights, freshly painted walls, and the hum of preparation echoing through its halls.
Nana, the head of decoration, paces between easels and frames, inspecting every corner.
She winces slightly, her foot still sore from yesterday's mishap. Clutching a painting tightly, she mutters, "If someone could just help me hang this…"
But the team is stretched thin. Everyone is busy running final checks for the company's centennial celebration.
Just then, Ealina walks in, clipboard in hand. She notices Nana struggling and hurries over.
"What's wrong?"
Nana sighs, gesturing to the artwork. "I need someone to hang this. I hurt my foot yesterday—can't balance properly on the ladder."
Ealina smiles. "No worries. I'll handle it. You rest, I've got this."
Before Nana can protest, Ealina grabs the frame and climbs the ladder.
Up on the narrow steps, she lifts the painting, trying to secure the hook into the wall. The ladder wobbles beneath her.
"Almost there…" she whispers, standing on tiptoe.
Suddenly—the ladder tilts. Her foot slips.
A gasp escapes her lips. She braces for impact, eyes squeezed shut—
But she doesn't fall.
Two strong arms catch her midair, holding her firmly against a steady chest.
Startled, she slowly opens one eye.
Her breath catches.
"Ryan…?"
Ryan gazes down at her, eyes unreadable. "You're lucky I came back at the right time."
He sets her gently on the ground. She steadies herself but doesn't let go of his gaze.
"You're back…"
Ryan simply nods. "What were you thinking? Climbing ladders and hanging paintings? Where is the staff?"
"They're all busy," she replies softly. "I was just trying to help."
Just then, a staff member walks by.
Ryan snaps, "Hey! Why isn't this done already? Why is she doing your job?"
The staff flinches. "S-sorry sir, I was just—"
"You're here to work, not to wander around while someone else gets hurt. Do your job properly," Ryan shouts.
The man bows hurriedly and scurries off.
"Ryan," Ealina says firmly. "That was too harsh."
"I told him to do his job. He wasn't."
"He was doing it. Everyone's overwhelmed today—you can't shout at them like that."
Ryan's eyes flash, but instead of replying, he turns sharply and walks away.
"Why are you so angry?" Ealina calls after him.
But he doesn't respond.
From the side, Jace steps in, looking apologetic. "Something happened with the company. He's… on edge today."
He gives Ealina a brief nod and hurries after Ryan.
Inside the Meeting Room
Ryan stands by the window, his expression unreadable.
"Set up a meeting with Daerien N," he tells Jace without turning.
Jace nods and makes a quick call.
A Few Minutes Later
Jace contacts Ealina. "Hey, can you prepare the meeting setup for Daerien N?"
"I… I have something else to finish," she replies distractedly. "Ask Aren to handle it."
Meeting Room — Moments Later
Aren welcomes Daerien N. and leads him inside. Ryan turns to greet him.
Their hands meet in a firm handshake.
"Mr. Daerien," Ryan says. "Finally, we meet."
Daerien N. gives a slight smile but speaks quietly—words too faint to catch. Something's off.
The atmosphere shifts.
Elsewhere
Ealina's phone buzzes.
A message flashes across the screen—urgent.
Her eyes widen. "What…?"
Without wasting a second, she turns and bolts down the hall, clutching her phone tightly.