Jessica stepped into the Greenice headquarters, her sharp eyes immediately taking in the chaos that had unfolded. The room was in shambles—overturned furniture, shattered glass littering the floor, blood staining several corners, and the groans of wounded men filling the air. The acrid scent of smoke mixed with alcohol lingered, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.
Her gaze swept across the room, searching. Her heart pounded—not because of the carnage before her, but because someone who should have been here was nowhere to be seen.
“Victor!” she called sharply, her voice echoing through the now-silent space.
From the far side of the room, a man with bruises and cuts marring his face slowly turned toward her. Victor sat slumped in a chair, one hand clutching his ribs, his expression twisted in pain. He groaned as he tried to shift his position.
“What happened?” she demanded, urgency lacing her tone.
Victor, leaning heavily against the couch with blood at the corner of his lips, lifted his gaze to her and smirked despite the pain. “That bastard Phoenix. He waltzed in here and had the audacity to tear through our system.”
Jessica rushed toward him, helping him sit up straighter. “What do you mean?”
Victor chuckled bitterly, though the motion made him wince. “He freed my kids.”
Jessica’s brow furrowed, her expression darkening. “The ones you trained?”
Victor nodded, regret and fury flickering in his eyes. “Yeah. He destroyed everything. Everything I built, everything I taught them—he erased it in a single night. You don’t even look surprised, Jessica. Did you know about this?”
Jessica clenched her jaw, trying to keep her emotions in check. “I don’t care about that. I just need to know… where is Phoenix?”
Victor sneered, his bloody lips curling into a twisted smile. “So, that’s all you care about? Not me? Not the men bleeding out here? Interesting.”
Jessica’s patience snapped. “Victor, don’t push me.”
“Oh? And if I do, what will you do?” he taunted, his eyes narrowing.
Jessica’s fists tightened. “The boss doesn’t want Phoenix dragged back into the underworld. You were supposed to keep an eye on him, not pull him deeper! What the hell were you thinking?!”
Victor straightened despite the pain tightening his jaw. “I didn’t tell him to kill anyone or smuggle anything, Jessica. I only asked him to oversee this deal. It was nothing.”
“No! It’s still wrong! You had no right to order him around! Who do you think you are to control the heir of Greenice Group?!” her voice rose, her fury barely restrained.
Victor’s gaze turned ice-cold. “Have you forgotten who trained you? I made Phoenix. I taught him everything about survival. And now, you think you’re above me? Just because you’re closer to the boss? You think you can threaten me?”
Jessica fell silent for a moment, but her glare remained unyielding. “This isn’t a threat, Victor. It’s a warning. If you dare to drag Phoenix back, I won’t stand by. I’ll report you to the boss myself.”
Victor’s shoulders tensed, his expression darkening. “Ungrateful brats. I built you, trained you, and now you think you can defy me?”
Jessica ignored his words, stepping closer. Her voice was steely. “Where is Phoenix?”
Victor shrugged nonchalantly. “How should I know? He left after tearing this place apart.”
Jessica cursed under her breath, frustration evident. “Damn it! You couldn’t even keep track of him! Don’t let him meet that woman again!”
Victor frowned. “His wife? She’s here?”
Jessica gritted her teeth. “You really know nothing, do you? That woman isn’t just his wife. Alice Harper… she’s Ferdinand Harper’s daughter.”
Victor’s brows furrowed as recognition dawned. “Harper…” he muttered. “Alice Harper?”
His eyes widened as something clicked in his mind. “That name sounds familiar…”
Jessica nodded, her gaze sharp. “You didn’t know, did you? That woman isn’t ordinary. She’s the only daughter of Ferdinand Harper.”
Victor’s frown deepened. “Ferdinand Harper… the CEO of Peoplez Group? The one who died in an accident ten years ago?”
Jessica’s expression remained cold. “Not an accident, Victor. Murder.”
“So, you’re saying that girl might be a threat to Phoenix?” Victor asked seriously.
Jessica took a deep breath, steadying her emotions. “Yes. And if you don’t realize that soon, I guarantee Alice isn’t just here to stay by Phoenix’s side. She has another purpose. And I won’t let anyone lay a hand on Phoenix. Not even her.”
Victor smirked. “You really love him, don’t you?”
Jessica hesitated for a brief second, then her expression hardened. “I will do whatever it takes to protect him. Whatever it takes.”
She turned away, her steps firm as she headed toward the exit. Her chest felt tight, her thoughts a whirlwind. Phoenix was out there. Alice was, too. And if she didn’t move quickly… something terrible was bound to happen.
Behind her, Victor let out a low chuckle, despite the pain throbbing through his body.
“Fool,” he muttered to himself.
...
Alice bit her lip, gazing at Aaron, who was still asleep on the hotel bed, his breathing steady. The dim glow from the bedside lamp cast a soft light on his face, making him look more peaceful, even though his body was still covered in wounds that had yet to fully heal. Slowly, she leaned closer, her fingers reaching out as if wanting to touch his face, to feel the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips.
But midway, she stopped.
She couldn't let herself be swayed. She couldn't allow these growing feelings to weaken her. This mission was more important than her emotions, more important than the doubts swirling in her mind.
Just as she was about to pull her hand back, Aaron's eyelids fluttered before opening completely. His dark eyes met hers in a silence too deep.
"You're awake?" Her voice was soft, slightly uncertain.
Alice nodded. "Yeah…" she murmured.
Aaron shifted slightly, a flicker of pain crossing his expression. His wounds were still far from healed, yet as always, he never complained. "This early? You usually sleep in," he muttered, glancing at the clock beside the hotel bed—it was barely six in the morning.
A small smile tugged at Alice’s lips as her gaze trailed over Aaron’s face, then down to his bandaged body. The scars, fading bruises, and the bullet wound still lodged in his abdomen stood as silent witnesses to all the suffering he had endured.
"I don’t know, I just woke up. Maybe because… I haven’t seen you in a while, so I just… wanted to look at you a little longer," she said lightly. But the ache in her chest betrayed her.
Aaron lifted a hand, gently brushing through Alice’s hair. "Am I making things difficult for you?" he asked, his voice laced with guilt.
Alice shook her head, then, without realizing it, she reached out, half-embracing him. "How could you ever be a burden to me?"
Aaron studied her, trying to decipher the complex emotions in her expression. "You must want to go home. You must be scared…" he murmured, recalling everything that had happened—things that might have made Alice feel unsafe and afraid.
She fell silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"You're right, I was scared. I can't stand seeing you like this, watching you get hurt—it feels like I’m hurting too, like I can’t even hold back my tears," she whispered.
"But now that you’re here, can you not go anywhere for a few days?" she asked softly, her fingers gently brushing Aaron’s hair back.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled, but in the end, he nodded. "Of course, I’ll stay with you."
A relieved smile appeared on Alice’s lips.
"Today… I need to meet an old friend. It won’t take long. Can you stay here and not go anywhere?" she asked again, her gaze filled with quiet hope.
Aaron regarded her carefully. "An old friend? Who? Can’t I come with you?"
Alice quickly shook her head. "No. It’s just a short visit. Just a friend from the café where I used to work part-time. I promise, it won’t take long. Since I’m here now, I just thought I should drop by. After that, I’ll come straight back, and we can spend more time together."
Aaron looked hesitant but eventually nodded. "Alright, but promise me you won’t turn off your phone."
Alice smiled, feeling a wave of relief. "Of course. Thank you," she whispered.
Then, before she could stop herself, she slowly leaned in. Her lips met Aaron’s—at first, just a light touch, but then it deepened. She felt the warmth of his lips, his steady breath turning heavier. Aaron responded, his hand moving to the nape of her neck, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss with quiet intensity.
It was more than just a kiss. More than just longing.
It was something Alice wanted to remember—a moment to hold onto before everything changed.
When she finally pulled away, her breath was slightly uneven. She looked into Aaron’s eyes, trying to steady the turmoil in her heart.
"Alice…?" Aaron stared at her in surprise, as if trying to understand what was going through her mind. Alice had never kissed him first before. This was the first time.
Alice swallowed, searching for the right words. "I just… wanted to make sure you stayed here. I want you to be safe, at least until I come back."
Aaron studied her for a few seconds before nodding slightly. "I’ll wait here. Come back soon."
Alice nodded, but deep down, she wasn’t sure if she would return with the same heart once this mission was over.