The man in the passenger seat, Zade, pulled out his laptop and began typing while Liana started the car. The only woman guard with her, Ashley, hesitated and glanced at Liana.
"But Miss… the police already searched the place. So…" She paused as she saw the sharp look on Liana.
Liana's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. She took a sharp turn, her jaw tight. "Maybe they did. But I want to see it again. I can't shake this feeling… like they've kept her somewhere I can reach easily."
"Right. It's been almost fifteen hours and still no threats or demands," Richard muttered as he checked his gun, sliding bullets in with steady hands.
Liana hummed low and pressed harder on the gas. "They want me there. I know it. They're watching every move I make."
Zade's voice was cautious as he leaned closer. "Miss… this feels like a meeting of your label. Something personal."
Liana frowned and suddenly pulled the car to the side. Without a word, she got out, moved to the back seat, and let Richard take the wheel. She grabbed Zade's laptop, her fingers trembling slightly as she began to scan the screen.
"It's the day they chose you to debut," Zade explained gently, passing her his phone. On the screen was a group photo. The same one she had once found in Alex's room.
Her throat tightened as she swallowed hard. "I..." She froze, a thought flashing in her mind. Quickly, she turned to Ashley. "Can you… find out who else had the same chance to debut in my place?"
Ashley nodded and immediately began tapping on her tablet, her brows furrowed in focus.
Meanwhile, Liana's gaze shifted to Richard. "Take a turn toward the metro station."
Richard glanced at her through the mirror. "But it's morning. The crowd will be insane."
Zade smirked faintly. "Maybe that's exactly what she wants." He tilted his head toward Liana, who gave a small nod.
"Right. They can track me through hacked CCTV across the town, but if I blend into the crowd, it'll be almost impossible for them to pinpoint me."
The others nodded, though unease lingered in the car. It was a clever plan, but dangerous too, as they might need to leave her alone. Liana turned her face to the window, watching the blur of buildings. "We'll split up. We need to move before it gets too crowded..."
Her words had barely left her lips when Ashley suddenly gasped. Liana instantly turned toward her, eyes wide in alarm.
From the front, Zade twisted in his seat, leaning back to catch a glimpse of Ashley's screen. Richard, still gripping the steering wheel, stole a quick glance in the rearview mirror before forcing his eyes back to the road.
Ashley's hand trembled as she clutched the tablet tightly. She hesitated, then handed her tablet over. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "It's… Alex."
Liana's eyes widened. She stared at the old file on the screen.
"Liana and Alex were the top trainees," Ashley read softly. "Alex was supposed to debut in a boy group. But after a scandal spread, he was pulled out. Liana debuted in his place."
Liana's lips parted as her breathing turned shallow. She leaned back, pressing her head against the seat, and bit down hard on her lip.
Her fists clenched in her lap as she shut her eyes. "Don't tell me… he became my bodyguard just to take revenge."
The car went quiet. None of them tried to argue—because deep down, they all knew she was right.
A single tear slid down her cheek. She pressed her hand against her chest, as if trying to ease the suffocation of the situation.
Richard quietly pulled the car into the parking lot near the metro station. "Miss… we're here," he said softly.
Liana quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand and forced herself to move. "Let's go. Ashley, you're with me."
They stepped out and headed into the busy metro station. Liana walked toward the women's restroom, and Ashley followed her lead. Richard and Zara kept their distance, watching the area carefully.
"She trusted Alex the most, didn't she?" Zade asked under his breath, in a sympathetic tone.
Richard leaned against the wall, his eyes distant. "Yeah… she did." He paused before adding, "You know, she was actually my senior in college."
Zade raised his brows, tilting his head with a curious look. "Really?"
Richard nodded, and Zade smirked faintly. "So… you knew her well?"
Richard's lips curved into a small smile. "She was famous back then. Everyone admired her. Not just because she was the only daughter of a well-known businessman, but because she was caring, charming… beautiful."
Zade squinted at him. "Sounds like you were one of those admirers, huh?"
Richard chuckled, shaking his head. "I was. But that all ended the day she proposed to Ethilia." His smile faltered, eyes shifting away.
Zade gasped quietly, his eyes widening as he stared at Richard, stunned by the words. "What? She and Ethilia were..."
Richard shook his head and crossed his arms, "That day, Liana actually decorated the whole basketball court just to propose to Ethilia to be her girlfriend. You wouldn't believe it, it was so beautiful. Some students were there… me too. But Ethilia just laughed it off, saying Liana was maybe pranking her."
Zade's jaw dropped. "That can't be real… She rejected her? Then what?"
Richard shrugged, "Then what? Right there, in the same place, some asshole proposed to her...and she accepted."
Zade's eyes widen more if that was possible. Richard bit his lip, eyes lowering with a sigh. "Liana stood frozen, watching them kiss. And honestly… it felt like Ethilia did it on purpose, just to show her. Seeing how Liana was hurt, Char pulled Liana away from there. And that was the last day we saw her."
Zade nodded slowly, as if Richard had just dropped a bomb on him. "Too much to take in…"
Richard hummed, his gaze distant. "And still, here she is… pouring her heart out for the same woman who once rejected her in the cruelest way possible."
Just then, Zade spotted Liana and Ashley stepping out. He nudged Richard, and both started to move toward them. But Liana shook her head sharply and slipped inside the metro with Ashley.
They had changed clothes. Ashley was now wearing Liana's outfit, and Liana was dressed in Ashley's. As they stepped further in, Ashley gave a small signal to Zade, nodding toward the other side of the station.
Liana wanted anyone following or keeping track to be confused. That's why she went into the metro with Ashley, while sending the men to the other side.
Liana moved closer to Ashley, their shoulders brushing. Ashley leaned in slightly, murmuring, "Where exactly are we going?"
Liana smirked faintly, "Not we. Just me. You're going to the police station, get the police, and come straight to…" She trailed off, glancing around before lowering her voice.