The lakeside was alive with laughter.
Students clicked photographs.
Some played volleyball.
Others wandered along the water.
The professors chatted amongst themselves.
Everything looked...
Normal.
Except one person.
Ivaan Mehra.
Standing several meters away from everyone.
Phone pressed against his ear.
His face completely expressionless.
No anger.
No frustration.
No emotion.
Which, somehow...
Was even more unsettling.
From the wooden bench—
Ishira watched him.
Quietly.
Something about him felt...
Different.
Usually, even when he was serious, there was a certain confidence about him.
Today—
He looked unreadable.
The call ended.
He lowered the phone.
Didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
Just stood there, staring across the lake as if calculating something only he could see.
Back in Manhattan...
Inside BlackThrone Headquarters...
Zyan waited in the conference room.
Several screens displayed security footage.
Warehouse reports.
Bank transfers.
Photos.
And one familiar face.
Ethan Blackwell.
Still imprisoned.
Still talking.
Zyan's phone vibrated.
One message.
IVAAN: Keep him alive.
Zyan smirked.
Only four words.
Yet he understood everything.
ZYAN: For now?
The reply came almost instantly.
IVAAN: Until I'm back.
That was enough.
Someone was going to have a very long night.
Back at the lake...
Ishira finally stood from the bench.
Curiosity winning over patience.
She slowly walked toward him.
Stopping beside him.
Neither spoke.
For several moments—
They simply looked at the water.
Finally—
She broke the silence.
"Bad news?"
His gaze remained fixed ahead.
"No."
She looked at him.
"You only become this quiet when something is wrong."
A brief pause.
Then—
"I said no."
The answer was calm.
Controlled.
But not convincing.
She sighed softly.
"You know..."
He finally looked at her.
"If you don't want to tell me..."
She smiled faintly.
"...then I won't ask."
For the first time since the phone call—
Something in his expression shifted.
Barely noticeable.
But enough.
"Smart decision."
She rolled her eyes.
"I wasn't asking for permission."
A faint smirk appeared.
Gone almost instantly.
Just then—
One of the professors called out.
"Everyone, gather up! We'll be leaving in ten minutes."
Students immediately started packing their bags.
The cheerful atmosphere returned.
Ishira turned to leave.
But before she could take more than two steps—
A calm voice stopped her.
"Butterfly."
She looked back.
"Hm?"
His eyes met hers.
For a brief second.
"Stay close."
Only two words.
Simple.
Quiet.
Yet carrying far more weight than they should have.
She frowned.
"Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"I don't like unknown variables."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then smiled softly.
"You're impossible."
"And yet..."
He opened the SUV door for her.
"...you're still here."
She shook her head with a helpless smile.
Before getting inside.
Neither of them noticed—
Far across the parking area.
Near a line of parked tourist vehicles.
A man lowered his camera.
One final photograph.
Then disappeared into the crowd.
The game...
Was far from over.
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