"There it is. That's him."
Inside the OPA chairman's office, Mr. Hung, secretary Oh, and Shana were gathered around, watching the security footage from around Nayeon's apartment before her disappearance. After a few minutes of scanning, they spotted it—a strange old black Toyota. The license plate was conveniently obscured, and the two suspects had their faces completely hidden behind masks.
Shana sat back comfortably in the chairman's seat, popping a grape into her mouth as she observed.
"Not bad. They're pros, no doubt about it. No wonder Mina was able to get in touch with people like them. But don't tell me you have no information on them?"
Hung shook his head, his eyes still glued to the footage.
"No. I've never seen these guys before. I know most of the gangs scattered around Starfall, but these two? First time. The way they operate is way too professional compared to the usual thugs."
Shana smirked, almost amused.
"Professional? And yet they trashed Nayeon's entire apartment and left it looking like a warzone? Seems like they wanted to toy with the cops too."
Hung only shrugged, settling into the sofa as secretary Oh handed him a glass of wine.
"They would dare. The Kamakiri clan is ruthless. There's nothing they wouldn't do."
Suddenly, secretary Oh spoke up, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"These Toyotas may look ordinary, but… they're a model manufactured for the Taiwanese domestic market."
Shana's eyebrows lifted.
"Really? I didn't catch that detail."
"Yes. I used to work in auto distribution, so I recognize them."
Hung nodded in understanding.
"Then that helps. If we narrow down the imports from Taiwan, we might track them. Unless, of course, the car was smuggled in illegally. Then it'll take a lot longer."
"Hm…"
Shana leaned back, dissatisfied. Identifying where the thugs came from didn't solve the real issue: Mina. Mina was slippery, a natural liar. Even if Shana stacked all the evidence in front of her, Mina would deny it without blinking.
If Mina had to face Shana, she'd lose. But the real tragedy was Duyen. Sweet, gentle Duyen—how could she possibly fend off someone as manipulative and venomous as Mina? Right now, the only priority was finding Nayeon. But with the alumni gathering coming up, they were running out of time.
Hung, sensing Shana's unspoken frustration, hesitated before voicing his thoughts.
"There's a high chance Nayeon has already—"
"Don't hesitate," Shana cut him off coldly, chin resting on her hand.
"Say it. She could already be dead. Stuffed in a cement barrel and dumped in the sea."
Hung blinked at her bluntness. Only seasoned gangsters knew methods like that. The possibility chilled him—but considering who they were dealing with, it wasn't impossible.
"Yes… in a city this big, there are countless ways to get rid of a body. But even so, murder carries heavy risks. Would Mina really go that far just to erase a piece of footage? Personally, I think this was more about intimidation. A warning to Nayeon not to meddle. The real problem is—Nayeon suddenly disappeared. My guess is, when they trashed the apartment, they were expecting Nayeon to walk in on the mess. Not us. Doesn't that make sense?"
Shana's eyes widened as the realization hit her. That explained everything. The wreckage wasn't for them—it was for Nayeon. But when she and Duyen arrived, Nayeon was nowhere to be found. Which meant she never even made it home.
And the police had turned the whole city upside down with no trace of her.
Which left only one possibility.
"Nayeon vanished… and Mina wasn't behind it? Then who? Who else could it be?" Shana whispered, shaken.
Hung unconsciously shook his head. He didn't have an answer either. The room fell into a heavy silence.
Then Shana broke it.
"About those imported cars from Taiwan… do you see any connection?"
"Connection? With Taiwan?" Hung thought for a moment.
"There's only one I can think of. Valko—Mina's legal husband. He's the heir to the Jou family, a telecom giant in Taiwan. Why? You think he's involved?"
Shana shook her head slowly.
"Not involved. The opposite. He's her cover."
Her words trailed off, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. Shana knew exactly what Mina was capable of. But what weighed heavier on her heart was Duyen. Could Duyen handle the truth? Nayeon's disappearance was already breaking her.
Hung watched Shana rub her temples, clearly more exhausted than usual—even for someone who wasn't supposed to know fatigue at all.
"…Are you sure about this? About Duyen?" he asked quietly.
The name pierced Shana like a blade. Her chest ached as she recalled their earlier conversation—how helpless and confused Duyen had looked after that brief, painful encounter with Mina.
"Shana… Do you think… maybe Mina didn't do it?" Duyen had whispered through tears.
It crushed Shana to hear it. Mina had already twisted her mind, planting doubt deep inside her.
"If it wasn't her, then who? Can you think of anyone else?" Shana had asked.
Duyen only shook her head, clutching her face as she fought back sobs. Tomorrow night's Yelsulin alumni gala loomed ahead—an event Duyen had planned to attend with Nayeon. With Nayeon at her side, she might've felt safe among classmates who never welcomed her. But now… Nayeon was gone.
And Mina—Mina still haunted her.
Duyen's legs trembled, her spirit close to breaking. Shana's heart burned with rage toward Mina. Did Mina even realize what she was doing to Duyen? Or was she simply too selfish to care?
In that moment, Shana had pulled Duyen into her arms. The tough, tomboyish girl who always stood tall for others melted into her embrace, crying like a child. To the world, Duyen wore armor. But here, with Shana, she was just a wounded girl, cracking under the weight of betrayals.
Shana stroked her back gently.
"It's okay, Duyen. If you believe she didn't do it…"
Duyen had looked up at her in surprise, tears streaking her face. Shana only smiled softly.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. Because I'm here. I'll protect you, no matter what."
Her grin turned playful as she tapped Duyen's chest. A faint glow sparked beneath her touch, startling Duyen—but Shana only smirked slyly.
"And when I say I'll be by your side… I mean it."
Before Duyen could respond, Shana cupped her face and kissed her deeply...
Returned to the OPA office, Hung couldn't help but notice the hickey on her neck. He sighed, exasperated.
"First Nayeon, and now you. Don't you think Mina will come after you next?"
Shana smirked, her fingers brushing over the mark with a lingering touch.
"She won't. Not yet. If she moved against me now, she'd be exposing herself. But secrets never stay buried forever…"
Her sly look made Hung chuckle.
"You fox… even now, you act like nothing can touch you."
—
Meanwhile, across the street in a hotel room, Duyen stirred awake. Her head ached. She found herself naked under wine-red velvet sheets, blushing furiously as she yanked the blanket over her chest.
A tray of French desserts, fine chocolate, and a bouquet of roses sat waiting beside the bed. On it lay a note, Shana's handwriting impossibly elegant:
My darling Duyen,
You must be exhausted—you drained me completely ~ Sleep as long as you like. This hotel belongs to us anyway. Don't forget to eat something, and the chocolate will help ease the soreness… down there. Love you always.
Duyen's face turned scarlet. She instinctively brushed a hand between her legs, remembering how intense it had been.
Clearing her throat even though no one was there, she popped a piece of chocolate in her mouth. Sweet, not bitter—the way she liked it.
She noticed in her phone. It was a message waiting from 2 hours ago from Mina.
[Mina: I'm sorry for running off like that. I know you've been through a lot. Please text me back—I'm worried…]
Duyen sighed, torn. Despite everything, Mina's tears still haunted her. She replied hesitantly:
[Duyen: Sorry for the late reply. It's okay. And I'm sorry for accusing you without proof…]
The response came instantly.
[Mina: It's fine. People make mistakes.]
Mistakes? The word unsettled her.
[Mina: Anyway, you're still coming to the gala tomorrow, right?]
Her fingers hovered. Could she go without Nayeon? The thought of facing that crowd alone was terrifying. But Shana had promised her everything would be fine. Even so...
[Duyen: I'll be there.]
[Mina: That's great! Oh, and… there's something I should tell you. Remember when I mentioned Valko?]
Duyen blinked. Valko again. She had no interest in the man, but Mina's tone carried weight.
[Mina: The truth is…]
[Mina: He's cheating on me.]
—
That same night, at Tu Linh Airport—one of Starfall's largest international hubs—a flight from France landed at 11:34 p.m.
From the crowd emerged a petite girl in a flamboyant designer outfit, so rare only a handful existed worldwide. With her short, doll-like haircut and the beauty mark beneath her lip, she looked like a walking fashion show.
Cai Ying lowered her oversized sunglasses, eyes gleaming as she whispered to herself:
"Yelsulin… Been a long time since I've heard that name."