It's him

Kiara clung to Hugo's hips, seated on the back of his motorbike. Her lips were pressed into a tight line as she glanced at him.

Hugo didn't have a spare helmet—he never had a passenger before—so he could only offer her his own while he drove without one.

[All I can do is ask her to listen to you. That's it. Whether she agrees or not is up to you.]

Those were his words before they started riding to the birthday party. Kiara drew a deep breath and closed her eyes, lowering her head until the top of her helmet rested against his back.

I only got one shot, he had said.

She mentally nodded to herself. Any help at this point was better than nothing. This was Hugo Bennet, the country's lieutenant general. And although he might be a noodle thief, she believed the person he was referring to was someone very capable.

---

Meanwhile…

Grace stood at the end of a long table, raising her glass with a warm smile.