Eliana made up her mind to meet Wesley.

Before she left, however, she stopped and whispered a few instructions to Chloe.

After the business gathering ended, Eliana wore the temporary mask Chloe had purchased. She fixed the plain disguise before going to the parking garage to wait.

She refused to let several days of hard work amount to nothing.

Approaching Wesley could put her at risk, but he had a respectable public image. Everything should go smoothly as long as he didn't realize who she was.

Eliana drew in a long breath to calm herself.

Cold air filled the parking garage. She and Chloe had remained in a crouched position for so long that they could no longer feel their legs when Wesley and his secretary finally arrived on the underground level.

His group entered a black Cayenne. After making sure her mask remained in place, Eliana took hold of Chloe and led her to the vehicle before knocking on its window.

"Good evening, Mr. Harrison," Chloe said.

Nerves had already taken hold of Chloe. Worse still, Eliana had turned into a completely different person after putting on the mask. She became reserved and silent, almost as though someone had flipped a switch inside her.

To their relief, the window lowered. The weak light revealed Wesley's distant and uncaring face. He studied Eliana without emotion, and his commanding presence was impossible to ignore.

For one brief moment, everything around Eliana seemed to shift.

That face looked exactly like the boy she remembered from years ago.

Back then, Alec had been a teenager with endless energy. He would close the curtains before pulling her into his arms and kissing her. Once he started, he rarely gave her a chance to escape his affection. By the end, she could only make soft sounds as tears and sweat dampened the clean sheets.

The memory suddenly released Eliana. She looked away from Wesley and gently pushed Chloe forward.

Chloe gathered her courage and continued, "I'm an intern reporter from the Crestview Business Chronicle. We talked briefly during the banquet. Beside me is Ms. Martin, the owner of the brooch."

A moment of silence hung in the air. Wesley kept his sharp eyes on Eliana as though he could see straight through her disguise. Eventually, his attention moved to the small scar on her earlobe, and his face turned cold. After a slow pause, he spoke. "What exactly happened to your face, Ms. Martin?"

During the five years they had spent apart, he had learned to control himself better.

Never once had Eliana expected their next meeting to happen this way. Her throat tightened so much that she couldn't answer at first. "It's only an allergic reaction," she answered vaguely.

Her heart hammered with the same panic she always felt whenever someone caught her doing something she shouldn't.

They had crossed paths again after five long years, but she had covered her face because she lacked the courage to let him see her.

Wesley continued watching her without looking away. Something cold flashed within his eyes, but his expression gave her no clue about his thoughts.

"Is that so?" His eyes turned colder, and mockery entered his voice. "It looks more like you're trying to keep something from me, Ms. Martin."

Eliana went still.

What in the world was wrong with Wesley?

Yes, she had heard that crossing Wesley was dangerous, but she never imagined he would be this difficult. Although she had never dealt with Wesley before, she had once known Alec well.

Alec had always been good to her. Whatever she wanted, he had given it to her.

His quiet and distant nature could make him appear cold, but he had actually been kind and harmless beneath it.

The ruthless man sitting inside the car bore no resemblance to the person she remembered.

"Pardon me." Eliana took a breath before addressing the reason for her visit. "I'd like to arrange an interview with you. Since you're planning to enter the domestic AI market, the Crestview Business Chronicle would be very interested in speaking with you. Our publication is the perfect place to share expert views about market changes and industry trends."

Wesley leaned back after lighting a cigarette. His eyes slowly passed over Eliana before stopping on her lowered gaze. The way he watched her felt dark and intrusive, and it carried the weight of someone who was used to holding power.

Five years had changed him. Deep inside, Eliana understood that the man before her was no longer the Alec she used to know.

Her heart suddenly stumbled, and she turned her eyes away without thinking.

Several seconds went by.

"I'll agree to the interview." Wesley finally looked up. His voice remained completely detached within the shadowy car. "However, you'll need to accept one condition first."