Riddle out Now?

 Author's Note ~ 3442

Hello, dear readers!

First of all, I want to thank you for following along this beautiful yet intense journey of Anaya and Rudra. Writing their story has been a whirlwind of emotions—drama, suspense, and tender moments wrapped in their evolving relationship. Each twist in their bond reflects how two individuals, even when surrounded by secrets, can find strength and trust in each other.

In this chapter, we explore a hidden side of Rudra that sheds light on his mysterious persona, while Anaya stands firm in uncovering her truths and dreams. Her courage to share her past and Rudra's willingness to open up mark a turning point in their story—a perfect blend of intrigue and heartfelt connections.

Your love, messages, and engagement mean the world to me. Keep reading and supporting as their adventure unfolds with even more surprising revelations!

If you're enjoying this journey, let's stay connected:

📸 Instagram: @psole23.words

📘 Facebook: Tale's Of Word

🎥 YouTube: @psole23_words

Feel free to share your thoughts, favorite moments, and theories—I love hearing from you all! ❤️

Happy Reading!

PENOLA.S 🌸

______________________________________

Andrea sat on the edge of her bed, her laptop screen glowing in the dimly lit room. The mansion's serene ambiance was a stark contrast to the chaos unraveling in her mind. Files, encrypted codes, and surveillance feeds flashed before her eyes as she tried to piece together clues about the mysterious white powder, Night Bloom.

Her brows furrowed when the screen pinged with a secured connection from Maya, who appeared on the video call.

"Still burning the midnight oil?" Andrea teased.

Maya let out an exhausted laugh, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Tell me about it. I've been trying to crack this riddle all night. Maybe you'll have better luck." She shared the screen, revealing a cryptic message filled with abstract symbols and numbers:

"A place where shadows dance, and time stands still,

Hidden beneath layers of will.

Seek not with force, but subtle grace,

The key lies in the seventh place."

Andrea leaned forward, lips pursed. "Seventh place, huh? Sounds like one of those puzzle tricks meant to mislead you. But it's always simpler than it looks."

Maya groaned. "Simpler, my foot. I've been stuck on this for hours."

"Watch this." Andrea's fingers flew across the keyboard, analyzing the pattern in the symbols. Her sharp mind connected dots Maya hadn't even considered.

A moment later, Andrea smirked. "Got it. The 'seventh place' is actually referring to the seventh column in the hexadecimal code you missed."

Maya blinked in disbelief. "No way."

"Way," Andrea said smugly, sending over the solution.

Maya laughed, shaking her head. "I swear, you're not human. Thanks twice over, Andrea."

"Just doing my job. Now, about those drug samples—"

Maya nodded. "I'll send everything we've got. Be careful, though. Night Bloom isn't just a drug; it's practically bioengineering on steroids. If it goes mainstream, we're looking at an international crisis."

Andrea's jaw tightened. "Got it. Thanks, Maya."

As the call ended, Andrea leaned back in her chair, sighing. The pieces were starting to come together, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more lurking beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, Eunwoo stood in his elegantly designed room, tossing his dark coat onto the king-sized bed. The space was a blend of minimalist sophistication and luxury—neutral gray tones accented by deep blue velvet furnishings. Soft moonlight filtered through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting silver streaks across the polished hardwood floors.

A sleek black desk near the corner held a stack of confidential files, his laptop blinking with unread messages. The air was tinged with the faint scent of cedarwood from the hidden diffuser.

Eunwoo loosened his tie, the weight of the day pressing down on him. He grabbed a glass of water and walked toward the window, the city skyline stretching endlessly before him under the pale moonlight.

As he flipped through the test reports on Night Bloom, frustration flickered across his features. "This powder..." he muttered, "thirty minutes of superhuman strength but at what cost?"

His phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. Without looking at the screen, he answered, "Volkov?"

Dimitri's rough voice crackled through the line. "Ready to talk, King?"

Eunwoo exhaled sharply. "You tell me. Did the latest lab tests reveal anything useful?"

"Useful, sure," Dimitri said dryly. "But troubling. This isn't just about enhancing physical strength—it rewires the brain's perception of time and pain. It's a weapon disguised as a drug."

Eunwoo's jaw clenched. "Who's behind it?"

"Still tracking leads," Dimitri admitted. "But it's a ghost operation. Whoever's supplying this stuff is careful. Too careful."

Eunwoo's gaze hardened. "Then we'll be even more careful. This mission has to stay clean and quiet. No mistakes."

"Understood," Dimitri agreed. "By the way, how's your new partner holding up? Andrea, wasn't it?"

Eunwoo's lips pressed into a thin line. "She's capable. Annoyingly good at her job, actually."

Dimitri chuckled. "Sounds like you've met your match."

"She's not a match," Eunwoo said flatly. "She's a partner for now, nothing more."

"Sure," Dimitri drawled knowingly. "For now."

As the call ended, Eunwoo tossed the phone onto the desk, his thoughts lingering on Andrea Yeldiz. She was sharp, relentless, and undeniably infuriating—but there was no denying she was essential to this mission.

The line between enemies and allies was already blurring, and Eunwoo knew better than to let his guard down.

But something told him that with Andrea in the picture, things were only going to get more complicated.

📚_______📚_______📚_______📚_______📚_______📚

The next morning at Eunwoo's mansion...

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the large bay windows, casting a soft golden glow over the sleek interior of the modern estate. Marble floors gleamed beneath Andrea's hurried steps as she walked into the expansive living room, laptop tucked under her arm.

The air smelled faintly of fresh coffee, courtesy of Minjoon, who stood at the kitchen counter stirring two cups. He glanced up with a knowing smile. "Let me guess — pulled an all-nighter?"

Andrea groaned, dropping into one of the plush armchairs. "Don't remind me. I feel like my brain just fought a twelve-round match."

"Good thing you're a champ," Minjoon quipped, setting a steaming cup in front of her. "Drink up. Eunwoo's expecting us in ten."

Andrea took a grateful sip, savoring the warmth before setting the cup down. "Any word from Maya?"

Minjoon nodded, tapping his smartwatch. "She forwarded everything on the samples last night. We're dealing with an engineered substance laced with nanotech components. Whoever's behind this isn't just a street chemist. They're military-grade professionals."

Andrea's brows furrowed. "That explains the precision and short-term effect. But it also raises a question — why only thirty minutes of enhanced strength? Why not extend the duration?"

Minjoon shrugged. "Maybe it's a prototype. Or maybe they don't want their users surviving long enough to be a threat."

Before Andrea could respond, heavy footsteps echoed down the marble staircase.

Eunwoo King emerged, dressed sharply in a tailored charcoal suit that hugged his athletic frame. His black silk hair was slicked back, with a few rebellious strands falling across his forehead. The aura of authority he carried was palpable.

Andrea's gaze briefly flickered to him before she masked her thoughts. "Good morning, boss," she greeted dryly.

Eunwoo gave her a brief nod, his expression unreadable. "Ready?"

"Always," Andrea replied, rising from her seat.

As they made their way toward the private garage, Andrea spoke up, "We meeting someone important today?"

Eunwoo's tone was clipped. "Wen Yuan. He's a significant player in the pharmaceutical sector, but word on the street is that he's also got ties to some black-market operations."

Andrea raised a brow. "You think he's connected to Night Bloom?"

"That's what we're going to find out," Eunwoo said, his voice cold. "Minjoon has already arranged the meeting at the Grand Luxe Hotel. Keep your guard up. Wen's not someone to underestimate."

Andrea smirked. "Don't worry about me, King. I can handle myself."

At the Grand Luxe Hotel...

The luxury hotel gleamed under the midday sun, its glass facade reflecting the bustling city streets. A sleek black car pulled up to the entrance, drawing the attention of hotel staff and bystanders alike.

Eunwoo stepped out first, his commanding presence turning heads immediately. Dressed impeccably, he radiated an intimidating blend of charm and authority. Beside him, Andrea followed in a chic but professional ensemble, exuding confidence.

Minjoon trailed behind, phone in hand as he coordinated security details.

The hotel staff greeted them with practiced smiles. "Welcome, Mr. King," the concierge said with a slight bow. "Your guest is waiting in the VIP lounge."

As they walked through the grand lobby, whispers followed them. A pair of receptionists near the front desk exchanged hushed comments.

"Is that Eunwoo King?" one murmured excitedly.

"Yeah, the pharmaceutical tycoon. And he's single, right?"

"I think so. God, he's so handsome," the other gushed.

Andrea caught their conversation and rolled her eyes. "Fans everywhere, huh?"

Eunwoo ignored the chatter, his focus unwavering. They reached the VIP lounge, where Wen Yuan sat leisurely sipping a traditional Chinese tea. Dressed in a tailored jade-green suit, the older businessman exuded an air of refined arrogance.

"Eunwoo King," Wen greeted smoothly, rising from his seat with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "A pleasure as always."

"Wen Yuan," Eunwoo replied, shaking his hand firmly. "Thanks for meeting us on such short notice."

As they settled into the plush leather chairs, hotel staff discreetly served more tea and refreshments. Andrea noted how Wen's eyes flickered toward her, curiosity evident.

"And you must be...?" Wen prompted politely.

"Andrea Yeldiz," she introduced herself, offering a neutral smile. "An analyst on King's team."

"A formidable addition, I'm sure," Wen said smoothly. "Shall we get to business?"

Eunwoo nodded, pulling a sleek black file from his briefcase and placing it on the table. "We're here because we've noticed a disturbing trend in the market. A synthetic enhancement drug—short-term but highly effective. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Wen's expression remained carefully neutral. "You know how the industry works, Mr. King. Rumors fly faster than facts. But if there were such a product, I imagine it would be quite valuable—and dangerous."

Andrea leaned forward. "Valuable enough for someone to risk international sanctions?"

Wen's lips curved into a sly smile. "Ms. Yeldiz, hypothetical questions are rarely worth answering."

Eunwoo's gaze hardened. "Then let me be direct. Is Night Bloom coming from your side of the border?"

Silence hung heavy between them.

Wen finally set his teacup down with a faint clink. "You're treading dangerous waters, Mr. King. But I admire your boldness."

Eunwoo's jaw tightened. "I'll take that as a no."

Wen chuckled softly. "Take it however you wish. Just remember—curiosity killed the cat."

Andrea's eyes narrowed. "Good thing we're not cats."

Eunwoo stood abruptly, signaling the end of the conversation. "We'll be in touch."

As they walked out of the lounge, Andrea glanced at Eunwoo. "That went well."

"He's hiding something," Eunwoo said grimly. "And we're going to find out what."

Minjoon caught up with them near the exit. "What's the next move?"

Eunwoo's eyes gleamed with determination. "We dig deeper. Night Bloom isn't just a drug—it's a declaration of war. And I'm not backing down."

(●'◡'●) _______(●'◡'●) _______(●'◡'●) _______(●'◡'●) _______(●'◡'●) 

Back at Eunwoo's Mansion – Later that Night

The drive back from the hotel was tense, with unspoken thoughts thick in the air. Andrea's fingers tapped restlessly on her thigh as she stared out of the tinted car window, the glittering skyline of the city blurring into streaks of neon. Eunwoo sat beside her, stone-faced, the weight of Wen Yuan's cryptic words hanging heavily between them.

Minjoon, seated in the front, broke the silence. "Wen's smile was fake as hell, but that line about 'curiosity killing the cat'? Yeah, that's a warning."

"Or a threat," Andrea added sharply, her eyes narrowing. "He's definitely involved with Night Bloom, even if he didn't say it outright. Did you catch how he deflected every direct question?"

Eunwoo's voice was cool but resolute. "He's hiding something significant. Wen Yuan doesn't operate alone. He has partners."

Minjoon glanced at the rearview mirror. "So what now?"

"We escalate," Eunwoo said firmly. "Tonight, I want every connection Wen has mapped out. His financial records, offshore accounts, trading partners — I want all of it."

Minjoon gave a mock salute. "Consider it done, boss."

Andrea raised a brow. "I thought I was supposed to be the hacker here."

Minjoon grinned. "You're just better at breaking impossible riddles."

Eunwoo glanced sideways at her. "Speaking of riddles, did Maya come through with anything useful on the powder?"

Andrea exhaled sharply. "Sort of. She's knee-deep in decoding a series of encrypted files from a database we suspect is linked to Night Bloom's manufacturing."

Eunwoo's brows knitted. "And?"

"There was a riddle embedded in the encryption," Andrea said, opening her laptop and pulling up the interface. "Here it is:

I live in the water but never swim,

I wear a crown but I'm not a king,

My domain is vast but cannot be seen.

What am I?

Minjoon let out a low whistle. "Classic Maya — always overthinking stuff."

Andrea's lips curved into a confident smirk. "It's coral. The answer is coral."

She typed the answer swiftly, and a series of new files popped up on the screen, their headers flashing in red. "Bingo."

Eunwoo leaned closer, his expression unreadable but intense. "What did you unlock?"

Andrea's fingers flew across the keys as she scanned the data. "This is huge — detailed formulations for Night Bloom variants, locations of distribution hubs, and... Oh my God."

"What?" Minjoon asked, alarmed.

"There's a shipment scheduled for tomorrow night at Dock 14," Andrea said, voice tightening. "If we intercept it, we might be able to cut off their supply chain completely."

Eunwoo's jaw clenched. "We'll be there. But no mistakes. This is our one shot to hit them hard."

Andrea nodded, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "Count me in."

Minjoon snorted. "Of course you're in. You love danger almost as much as Eunwoo does."

Eunwoo's gaze flickered between them, unreadable as always. "This isn't about love for danger. It's about finishing what we started."

Later That Night – Private Office in Eunwoo's Mansion

Andrea sat cross-legged on the floor of Eunwoo's private study, surrounded by holographic projections of data streams. Her laptop emitted a faint hum as multiple programs worked simultaneously to trace Night Bloom's network.

Eunwoo entered silently, his presence palpable even without a word. He carried two cups of coffee and handed one to her without comment.

"Thanks," Andrea muttered, taking a sip.

He settled into the chair across from her, his sharp black eyes scanning the holographic displays. "What's your take on Wen's operation?"

Andrea set the cup down. "He's a front, but not the mastermind. Someone else is calling the shots."

Eunwoo nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. We'll find out who soon enough."

Silence stretched between them, heavy but not uncomfortable.

Andrea broke it with a dry laugh. "You know, if someone told me a year ago I'd be working alongside you on a high-stakes mission, I'd have laughed in their face."

Eunwoo's lips quirked ever so slightly. "I'm sure the feeling was mutual."

Andrea arched a brow. "Oh? You didn't think I was good enough for this?"

Eunwoo's gaze was unwavering. "I didn't think you'd survive it."

She smirked. "Yet here I am. Still breathing."

Eunwoo's voice softened, just a fraction. "That's what makes you valuable."

Andrea's heart skipped an unexpected beat, but she quickly brushed it off. "Don't get sentimental on me, King."

His expression was unreadable once again. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As the night deepened, they continued their work side by side, two enemies-turned-reluctant partners bound by a mission that demanded nothing less than absolute trust — a trust that neither was fully ready to give, but both desperately needed.

✒️_________✒️_________✒️_________✒️_________✒️_________✒️

The Next Day – Preparations for Dock 14

The mansion buzzed with quiet activity. Dimitri, Minjoon, and a few other trusted operatives moved swiftly in the background, finalizing gear checks and operational plans. Eunwoo stood near the central screen in the mission room, his posture tense but commanding. Andrea was by his side, her laptop hooked into the system, pulling real-time intel from satellite feeds.

"We need a clean entry and exit," Eunwoo said, eyes fixed on the blueprint of the dockyard. "Dock 14 is heavily monitored by security personnel and automated surveillance. If we trigger any alarms, Wen Yuan's people will disappear before we even get close."

Minjoon leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "We'll take out the cameras first. Layla's already prepped the tech to scramble their signals. Silent but effective."

Andrea narrowed her eyes at the layout. "There's a weak spot here." She pointed to a blind spot near the cargo storage unit. "If we time it right, we can slip in undetected and disable their network manually."

Dimitri spoke up from the corner. "We can't rely solely on stealth. If something goes sideways, we need a fallback plan."

"Agreed," Eunwoo said. "Minjoon, have your team on standby near the extraction point. We'll maintain radio silence unless absolutely necessary."

Andrea's fingers tapped against the edge of the desk. "I'll handle the tech side once we're inside. But just so we're clear—if Wen Yuan or his thugs show up, I'm not standing back."

Eunwoo's gaze hardened. "This isn't a solo mission, Andrea. Stick to the plan."

She smirked, defiant. "You know I'm terrible at that."

Minjoon laughed. "She's got you there, boss."

Eunwoo didn't smile, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Just don't get yourself killed."

Andrea's voice softened, surprising even herself. "Same goes for you, King."

Dock 14 – Midnight Operation

The night was thick with fog, muffling the sounds of the bustling city beyond the docks. Cranes loomed like ghostly giants, their shadows stretching across the dimly lit yard. Cargo containers were stacked high, creating a labyrinth of metal walls.

Andrea crouched low behind a container, her earpiece crackling softly. "I'm in position," she whispered.

"Copy that," Eunwoo's voice came through, calm and steady. "Moving to the main control panel."

Minjoon's voice followed. "Cameras are scrambled. You're clear for now."

Andrea glanced around, heart pounding. Every nerve in her body was on edge, but adrenaline sharpened her focus. She moved swiftly, slipping past security patrols with practiced ease.

Near the central hub, Eunwoo was already at work, his fingers flying over the control panel. The blue glow of the screen illuminated his sharp features. Andrea joined him, pulling out a small device to bypass the final layer of security.

"Got it," she said after a tense minute. "We're in."

Eunwoo nodded. "Download everything. We need every bit of intel they've got."

As data streamed onto Andrea's device, her eyes flicked to Eunwoo. "This feels too easy."

"Stay alert," Eunwoo warned.

The sound of approaching footsteps shattered the brief moment of calm. Andrea's blood ran cold. "We've got company."

Eunwoo drew a sleek black weapon from his jacket, his expression deadly. "Minjoon, status?"

"Five hostiles inbound," Minjoon's voice crackled. "Looks like they know you're there."

Andrea's grip tightened on her laptop. "Great. Just what we needed."

Eunwoo's voice was steel. "Stay behind me."

Andrea bristled. "Not a chance, King."

Before he could argue, the first shots rang out, echoing through the dockyard. Eunwoo returned fire with precision, taking down two of the attackers. Andrea ducked behind cover, heart racing but mind sharp.

"Minjoon, we need backup!" Eunwoo barked into his comm.

"On our way," Minjoon responded.

Andrea's pulse pounded in her ears, but fear gave way to determination. She grabbed a flash grenade from Eunwoo's tactical belt. "Cover me."

Eunwoo's eyes widened for a split second, but he didn't hesitate. "Go."

Andrea pulled the pin and lobbed the grenade toward the remaining attackers. A blinding flash and deafening bang disoriented them, giving Eunwoo the opening he needed to take them down.

As silence fell over the dockyard, Andrea exhaled shakily. "That was... intense."

Eunwoo's voice was grim. "We're not done yet."

Andrea glanced at the data still downloading. "Almost there."

Minjoon's team arrived moments later, securing the area.

Eunwoo's gaze met Andrea's, fierce and unwavering. "You did good."

Andrea smirked, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "Told you I'm not just a hacker."

Eunwoo's lips twitched into the faintest semblance of a smile. "Noted."

As the download completed, Andrea knew this was just the beginning. The war against Night Bloom was far from over — but for the first time, she felt like they had a real shot at winning. And whether she liked it or not, Eunwoo was the only person she trusted to see it through.