Alia once again met with Red and his friends at the usual gathering spot. Summoning Red to her side, she handed him a gold coin.
"You're generous today," Red said with a chuckle, eyeing the coin. "But I don't have any updates yet. Elias is really hard to pin down. I can't take this without doing anything."
Alia shook her head. "I already know where he is and what he's up to. He's involved in the city's expansion project, and he'll appear here." She tapped a marked red circle on a map. "This coin is for the next part of your job—I want you to follow and keep an eye on him."
Red raised an eyebrow, letting out a low whistle. "Impressive. You hardly need us to find him. But tailing Elias won't be easy. He's odd—plus, he's the second son of a powerful family. He's bound to have guards."
"That's exactly why I'm hiring you," Alia replied coolly. Her tone left no room for argument. "You're skilled at moving unnoticed. And don't worry—I'll be nearby. If anything goes wrong, I'll step in. Unless, of course, you lack the courage. In that case, I'll find someone else and not waste my time."
Red clicked his tongue. "Who else could you find? Fine, I will do it."
At the construction site, the morning buzzed with activity. The roar of machinery mixed with the chatter of workers, who darted back and forth. Hidden behind a stack of discarded materials, Red kept his eyes trained on Elias.
Elias, standing not far away, appeared focused as he spoke to a group of project leaders. Occasionally, he gestured at documents, his demeanor commanding yet approachable.
"Tch, definitely has the nobleman vibe," Red muttered under his breath. But something felt off—Elias's gaze seemed to briefly flicker toward his hiding spot.
Sure enough, moments later, Elias disappeared from sight. Red's heart tightened as he instinctively turned to retreat. Yet, as he stepped into a narrow alleyway, a low, amused voice called out behind him:
"Following me for this long—tired yet?"
Red spun around to see Elias standing leisurely at the alley's entrance. Hands in his pockets, his sharp eyes glinted with quiet menace.
"Clever bastard," Red cursed inwardly. Before he could respond, another voice cut in from the opposite side of the alley.
"That's enough, Red."
Elias's gaze shifted, landing on the approaching figure. A slender frame clad in men's clothing emerged. Though her hat obscured much of her face, Alia's cold smile revealed her unmistakable confidence.
"Stand down, Red," Alia ordered firmly.
Red shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Fine, leaving this to you, boss." Before departing, he clapped a hand on Elias's shoulder, as if challenging him.
"Livia?" Elias's eyes swept over Alia, his lips curling into a wry grin. "This disguise suits you—almost convincing."
Alia's stomach churned. Elias had recognized her instantly—clearly, their "familiarity" ran deep.
Elias glanced at the retreating Red before returning his attention to Alia. "He was your decoy, wasn't he? This elaborate setup, all to get me here… So, what do you want to do?"
Alia met his gaze, unwavering. "Remember your promise to me? I'm ready. I want the truth—about everything."
"The truth isn't something you can simply demand," Elias replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "Are you sure you want to know? Once it's out, there's no going back."
"I've never planned to turn back," Alia said resolutely, her tone firm.
Elias studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll take you somewhere—but don't regret it later."
The car ride was silent, the city streets blurring past them. Eventually, they stopped in front of a weathered yet warm-looking building. The wooden sign above the door read "ME Orphanage."
"This is…" Alia began, confusion lacing her voice.
"Part of the truth," Elias said simply, pushing open the door.
Inside, children's laughter filled the air. As soon as Elias stepped in, a swarm of little ones rushed toward him, their faces lighting up.
"Elias, you're here!"
"We thought you weren't coming today!"
Elias crouched, ruffling the hair of a young boy. His tone softened. "I never break my promises. Didn't I say I'd bring gifts?"
Cheers erupted as the children dove into the small bag he handed over. Inside were candies and simple toys that brought them unbridled joy.
From the doorway, Alia watched, her heart unexpectedly stirred. She had always seen Elias as a calculating noble, but here, he was… different. Warm. Genuine.
"Who's the pretty lady?" a little girl asked, tugging on Alia's sleeve. "Is she your girlfriend?"
Startled, Alia realized her hat had come off at some point, revealing her face. Before she could respond, Elias interjected with a sly grin.
"What do you think?" he teased, his tone laced with mischief.
"Of course not!" Alia glared at him, but the little girl wasn't deterred. Pulling Alia to sit down, she handed her a photo. "Look! This is Elias falling while sweeping last time!"
In the picture, Elias's clothes were muddy, his expression awkward. Alia couldn't help but laugh softly.
"You little brats," Elias sighed, shaking his head. "Always holding a grudge."
Later, after entrusting the children to the headmistress, Elias led Alia to a quiet spot beneath a sycamore tree. For once, his voice lacked its usual edge.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you here," he said. "This is my past. I grew up here—I'm an orphan."