Chapter 18: He’s Watching Her Closely

Chapter 18: He’s Watching Her Closely
After sending the photo to Luke, Draven turned to his assistant and asked sharply, “Have you located the individuals who entered Sundrift City?”

The assistant looked troubled. “No, sir. Our team lost track of them around this area. It’s strange. Sundrift City isn’t that big, but it’s as if they vanished into thin air after they arrived. We can’t find any trace of them.”

That confused him. Those people had clearly fled here for a reason, most likely to deal with Elira—the girl who had helped Luke.

Luke had even been willing to negotiate with them to protect her.

But the night passed quietly. Elira remained safe and untouched, while those dangerous figures had seemingly disappeared without a single sound.

Could it be that their team had chased too closely, leaving those people no time to act before fleeing again?

“Disappear?” Draven scoffed, his voice low. “This isn’t some fairy tale magic.”

He narrowed his eyes and stared in the direction Elira had gone.

“Continue the chase,” he ordered. “Find them—dead or alive. And send more men to watch over the girl. Her safety is top priority.”

To the Cross family, Elira was a benefactor. If she were harmed while under their indirect protection, it would be a stain on the family’s reputation they could never wash away.

“And another thing…” Draven frowned. “We gave her a lot of money as thanks. Luke even sent extra. So why does she still live in such a rundown place?”

“Yes, sir.” The assistant nodded, then paused. “By the way, our team encountered individuals from 791 a few hours ago.”

Draven’s expression sharpened. “791?”

The 791 Division belonged to the Arctic Fox Mercenary Corps—Melfrey’s strongest private military force.

Draven narrowed his eyes further. “Was it him?”

He meant Lucian—the cold, calculating leader of 791.

Why would someone like Lucian show up in Sundrift City of all places?

This small city was quickly becoming far more complicated than it looked.

The assistant said cautiously, “They only appeared briefly, then left—as if they were just passing through.”

Draven wasn’t convinced.

“Find out exactly why they were here,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

The assistant walked away, leaving Draven standing silently amid the filth and noise of the lower district. The contrast was stark. A man of power like him, in a place like this.

After a beat, he reached for his phone. “Call the mayor,” he said.

—

Jackson Carter, the mayor of Sundrift City, nearly fell off his chair when he heard who was calling.

He stood up instinctively, clutching the landline phone with trembling hands, even though no one could see him.

“Of course! Don’t worry,” he said quickly. “I’ll take good care of her. If you have any other requests, I’ll make sure they’re fulfilled.”

After the call ended, Jackson didn’t waste a second. He immediately summoned his assistant.

“Find out everything you can about a girl named Elira Kane.”

While waiting, he paced his study, restless and overwhelmed. The Cross family of Paragon—one of the most powerful families in the country—had just asked him to watch over a girl from Sundrift City.

He didn’t dare sit still. His thoughts ran wild.

Should he visit the Kanes with gifts?

Or send them a new house in secret?

But he stopped himself.

The Cross family had made it clear: Do not disrupt the Kane family’s life. No financial help unless they needed it. Only quiet protection.

Jackson could only clench his fists and suppress his enthusiasm.

But deep down, he was dying to know: Who on earth was Elira Kane?

No one in the Kane family was wealthy. No one had ever held a position of power. And yet, someone from that family had caught the attention of Paragon’s elite?

It didn’t add up.

Still troubled, Jackson finally left his study—only to find his troublemaker son sneaking through the hallway.

“Dylan!”

Dylan froze.

“You little rascal! Sammy’s already returned to Paragon. What are you still doing here?” Jackson barked. “I told you to accompany him properly, not go off and misbehave.”

Dylan dodged as Jackson moved to hit him. “I didn’t misbehave! I was doing something important for Sammy.”

“Important?” Jackson stopped, frowning.

“What important thing could someone like you possibly do for Sammy?”

“Why would I lie?” Dylan said, pulling out his phone. “Sammy personally asked me to help him find someone and call him when I did.”

Jackson squinted. “Who?”

Dylan looked serious. “A girl named Elira.”

Sammy had returned to Paragon early that morning. Before leaving, he asked Dylan to find Elira for him.

Dylan naturally agreed—eager to please someone like Sammy.

He remembered Elira’s school uniform and figured she must go to Sundrift High. So he went straight there in the morning to ask around.

But the more he asked, the more confused he became.

Yes, there was an Elira Kane enrolled at the school. Same name. Same grade. Even the same physical description.

But the personality? Completely different.

The Elira Dylan met last night was bold, cool, and confident. She had the kind of fearless charm that outshone even Sammy.

She was electric.

But according to the students at Sundrift High, Elira was timid, hunched over, and pathetic. They said she was dumb, weak, and bullied nonstop for three years without ever fighting back.

They even said she only scored five points on her exams.

Dylan couldn’t reconcile that version with the girl he’d seen.

None of it made sense.

“She’s not stupid,” he muttered to himself.

Jackson frowned, watching his son’s expression. “Then do your job properly for Sammy.”

Dylan nodded. “I will.”

He turned and walked out again, heading back to Sundrift High. He had a plan.

If he could find Elira and help Sammy, maybe Sammy would help him in return. Dylan dreamed of going to university in the capital—and if he could worm his way into Sammy’s elite social circle, the doors of success would fly open.

“Has Sammy been enjoying himself these past few days?” Jackson asked behind him.

Dylan shrugged. “Yeah. But he was really excited this morning—after meeting Elira last night.”

Jackson’s eyes lit up. “Then stay in touch with him. Be polite. Make him like you. If you can earn his appreciation, I’ll buy you that car you’ve been begging for.”

Dylan froze, then turned around with glowing eyes. “Really?”

“I keep my promises,” Jackson said proudly. The thought of a connection with both the Crosses and the Holmeses had him nearly trembling with anticipation.

His family was on the verge of rising to the top.

—

Elsewhere, Luke stared at the photo Draven had sent.

At first, he wasn’t sure if it was Elira.

The girl looked thinner than he remembered, and the angle wasn’t great.

She had slightly turned her head toward the camera, as if she’d sensed someone following her. Her profile was soft and sculpted. Beautiful. Real.

He studied it again and again until he confirmed—it was her.

But there was someone else in the photo.

A young man walking beside her.

Luke frowned.

He didn’t know much about Elira’s family situation. He had only pulled a basic file—no details, no siblings.

So who was the boy? Her boyfriend?

Or her brother?

He couldn’t be sure. Either way, his stomach twisted.

Still, he told himself not to overthink it. She had saved him, yes—but he’d already paid her back. Their lives were worlds apart. She was from Sundrift City. He was from Paragon.

There was no reason for their paths to cross again.

And yet…

Draven had already arranged for guards to discreetly watch Elira, just in case.

That night, Elira went out for a jog.

She instantly noticed the shadows following her.

She never ignored such things.

And she definitely wouldn’t wait until morning to confirm anything.

On her way back from the run, she slipped behind a tree—vanishing from sight like a ghost.

The men looked around, confused.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind them—sharp and cool.

“Looking for me?”