Chapter 3: Autumn Glimmers and Shadows

Sunlight seeped through the blinds, casting a warm glow that outlined the bookshelves and furniture in the room, making the atmosphere feel cozy and serene. Ray Quinn was in his studio on the outskirts of Sunnydale, focused on drawing up design plans on his computer. This was his favorite time of day—ample light, complete silence, and a sense of order that brought him a rare feeling of peace.

Setting down the mouse, Ray stretched his wrist, looking out at the clear sky, and his thoughts drifted. He recalled Lily's teasing from the recent gathering—"Could it be that you like her?" Those lighthearted words lingered in his mind, reminding him of the streamer he had recently met online. She was carefree and natural, and their conversations about the city's night scenes and human emotions had brought him a sense of rare relaxation.

Smiling to himself, he picked up the mouse, trying to focus back on his designs. But this time, he hesitated slightly, his gaze wandering over the blueprints as his mind drifted again.

"Ding-dong!" His phone chimed, drawing him back. He glanced at the screen and saw a cheerful "Good morning" sticker from Nina. Her messages, filled with energy, had become a welcome part of his day. The streamer he'd met online was spontaneous and full of zest for life, often sharing lighthearted topics that added some color to his otherwise quiet life.

Swiping his screen, he typed back, "It's already noon, still 'morning'?"

Nina replied instantly, "It is for me! I just woke up. Fall here in Chenzhou is freezing—I didn't want to leave my bed!"

Ray chuckled, imagining her curled up under the covers as she typed. He replied, "It's not too bad here in Sunnydale, but it's definitely getting colder. I was planning to go for a walk after finishing work."

She sent a yawning emoji. "Fall in Sunnydale must be nice! I've seen so many photos of it, the vibe looks wonderful. I'll have to visit sometime."

Without thinking, Ray typed back, "You're welcome anytime; I'd be happy to show you around."

He paused, reading over his message. Smiling, he realized it sounded impulsive, yet it was somehow sincere.

Nina's reply came almost instantly. "Really? I'm holding you to that! No excuses when the time comes!" She added a few playful emojis, as if brimming with anticipation.

Ray's fingers hovered over his screen as he thought, typing back, "Of course. When you get here, I'll take you to the best spots."

Separated by miles, across different time zones and weather, their connection was kept alive through a single signal. Ray looked down at the sticker she'd sent, a feeling of rare ease surfacing within him. Though they were separated by distance, he was getting used to her presence, the warmth in her messages subtly reshaping his solitary life.

Putting his phone aside, he picked up his mouse again, noting his promise to show her around Sunnydale one day.

After replying to her message, Ray intended to spend some time finishing his design draft. Just as he picked up his mouse, the doorbell rang, unexpectedly interrupting the quiet of the studio. Surprised, Ray wondered who could be visiting. Usually, clients would make appointments, so unannounced visits were rare.

He stood up and approached the door, peeking through the peephole. Outside stood a man he didn't recognize, dressed in a light shirt and wearing a composed smile. Ray opened the door, greeting the visitor with a calm gaze.

"Mr. Quinn, my apologies for the intrusion. My name is Robert Lee, project manager at the 'Stellar Foundation.'" The visitor introduced himself politely, handing Ray a business card. "Our organization greatly admires your design style, and we'd like to invite you to participate in a unique project."

Ray took the card, glancing down at the simple name and contact information printed on it. The name meant nothing to him. Looking up, he replied coolly, "I'm not currently interested in taking on new projects."

Robert Lee smiled, unperturbed, and responded with ease, "Mr. Quinn, this project would definitely be worth your time. The building is more than just architecture; it's a symbol—a symbol of transformation."

Hearing the underlying suggestion in his words, Ray frowned slightly, sensing that this was more than a simple project invitation. The stranger's words seemed to hold deeper meaning, but Ray wasn't inclined to accept lightly.

"Thank you for the offer, but I have other commitments and won't be able to participate." His tone was distant, signaling his lack of interest.

Robert Lee continued to smile, nodding lightly. "No problem, Mr. Quinn. This is only an initial invitation. If you reconsider, my contact information is on the card; feel free to reach out anytime."

With that, Robert Lee turned and left, leaving Ray standing in the doorway, the business card in hand, a trace of contemplation in his eyes.

He closed the door softly, returning to his desk, his gaze involuntarily falling on the card sitting on the edge. "Stellar Foundation" was printed in refined font—seemingly just a charitable organization. However, Robert's words had left him uneasy. The Stellar Foundation was unfamiliar, and Robert's comment about the building as "a symbol of transformation" left an unsettling impression.

Such organizations were not uncommon; many new ones would use charitable activities to gain publicity. Yet Robert's eyes had conveyed an inexplicable ambition, hinting at something far from altruistic. Was there a hidden agenda behind this "charity"?

He gazed down at the card, feeling as though this unexpected visit carried an unspoken message. Placing it on the desk, he attempted to focus back on his work, but his thoughts refused to settle.

Opening his browser, he typed "Stellar Foundation" into the search bar. The screen displayed several news articles and the foundation's official website. Clicking on one, he found it mainly advertised various charitable events, such as donations for the underprivileged and school renovations in remote areas.

Scrolling through, he noticed the foundation's activities spanned medical aid, education, and social welfare, leaving no obvious flaws. However, upon closer inspection, the foundation's rapid growth and expansion seemed unusually swift, as if backed by considerable financial resources.

"Strange…" he muttered to himself. As he searched deeper into the foundation's background, he found vague mentions of its founder, Antonio Nielsen, yet details about its funding were murky, as though it were a carefully crafted façade.

He searched for the founder's name: "Antonio Nielsen."

The screen displayed information on Antonio Nielsen—a name both familiar and foreign, adorned with labels like "philanthropist," "entrepreneur," and "social figure." According to online profiles, Antonio Nielsen was the founder of the Stellar Foundation, who had made his fortune in finance and real estate before turning to philanthropy.

But the further Ray dug, the more he noticed a pattern: identical resumes and accolades repeated across different pages, all lacking depth. For someone with Antonio Nielsen's profile, the limited and shallow information felt unusual. Even for a low-profile person, his wealth and reputation should have yielded more substantial details.

Turning to anonymous discussion threads, he found fragments hinting at the foundation's hidden operations. Some posts mentioned rumors of money laundering and under-the-table deals involving the foundation. Others described symbols and tattoos seen on people at foundation events, suggesting an unsettling vibe. However, these threads offered only speculation, with little concrete proof.

"No solid evidence…" he murmured, feeling conflicted. The pristine image of the Stellar Foundation starkly contrasted with these unverified rumors. As he delved deeper, he had to admit that these allegations might be just baseless online gossip, with some people finding it amusing to stir rumors in anonymous spaces.

Yet, his intuition whispered that the foundation's rapid expansion and its mysterious background were anything but ordinary. Antonio Nielsen's carefully crafted public image hid a secrecy around his life and career, particularly regarding his finances, which seemed deliberately concealed.

Ray closed his laptop, a sense of caution building within him. He wasn't one to believe rumors easily, but Antonio Nielsen and the Stellar Foundation's spotless façade couldn't quell his unease. His instincts told him to keep his distance, but he made a mental note to keep an eye on this enigmatic foundation.

Taking a deep breath, Ray felt the need for some fresh air to clear his mind. As he stepped outside his studio, a cool autumn breeze greeted him, carrying a gentle warmth that lingered through the afternoon. The sun was still up, casting a golden hue that made the outskirts of Sunnydale feel especially tranquil.

He strolled toward a nearby lake, a peaceful spot rarely visited, where rippling waves reflected the blue sky and distant mountains. Ray stood at the lake's edge, his hands in his pockets, gazing out over the water as he let his questions settle in the calm of the scene.

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Nina.

"Are you still working? I was just out taking some autumn photos. The light's perfect today—warm and bright!" Her message was lighthearted, as though she'd had an enjoyable day.

Ray smiled, quickly typing back, "I was just finishing up some work, but now I'm out for a walk. How did your photos turn out? Share them if you've got a good one." As he sent the message, he realized that her relaxed tone had softened some of the tension within him.

Moments later, Nina sent a photo. Sunlight streamed through leaves, illuminating a field covered in fallen leaves. The image seemed to capture the crisp air of autumn itself. After a brief pause, he replied:

"You're really getting good at this! This photo looks straight out of a fairy tale."

Almost immediately, Nina responded, "Really? Wow, you're making me feel like a real photographer now."

Smiling, he typed, "Just being honest. But without you in the picture, it feels a bit empty."

Just as he was about to put his phone away, the screen lit up with another message. This time, it was a selfie. Nina was wrapped in a thick sweater, her hair a little messy, but her eyes sparkled with a playful warmth that was almost tangible.

"Here's a live selfie—can't say the picture feels empty now, right?" She added a mischievous emoji, clearly amused.

Ray froze for a moment, feeling as if something had gently brushed against his heart. Smiling, he quickly replied, "This picture really has that autumn vibe—your smile is warmer than the sunshine."

Nina's message popped up immediately: "So sweet! This doesn't sound like you! How odd~" with a playful, surprised emoji.

He laughed, typing, "It's true. This photo really brings the whole season to life."

Nina replied, "Oh no, now I'm blushing!"

Ray put down his phone, looking out the window. Though their conversation was playful, it left him with a warm feeling. Smiling to himself, he murmured, "This kind of autumn...not bad."

Standing by the lake, he let the cool breeze carry a sense of calm over him. Sunlight glinted off the water, and with each ripple, the whole scene seemed like a living painting, contrasting his inner tension with the peace around him.

Suddenly, a strange scent drifted on the wind—a faint, sharp, metallic smell mixed with the mustiness of decay, standing starkly against the fresh autumn air. Familiar yet unsettling, the smell stirred memories he had buried. Ray's gaze sharpened, scanning his surroundings, his body instinctively tensing up.

Following the scent, he moved cautiously along the lake's edge. The muddy ground bore a faint, disturbed trail, as though something heavy had been dragged across it. Crouching down, Ray brushed his fingers over the marks, feeling a dampness that clung to his skin. He lifted his hand, catching a whiff of the lingering smell, and an uneasy chill settled in his gut.

His gaze swept the area with a hunter's precision, the kind he hadn't needed in a long time. This trail, and the smell—it was anything but natural. He straightened, stepping back to survey the lake and shoreline, as though expecting something to emerge from the depths.

Ray's trained instincts kept him calm amid the subtle disturbance. His lips tightened, his breathing grew shallow, and his posture shifted into a stance of readiness.

Following the tracks, he walked along the muddy path. The trail wove in and out, as if whatever had been dragged had struggled or tried to conceal itself. He traced it around a large rock near the shore, spotting a faint shadow swaying in the trees beyond. His heartbeat quickened, but his steps were silent and steady as he approached the trees.

The rustling leaves mingled with a stronger gust of wind, carrying the intense, rotting iron smell. He paused, frowning. The scent reminded him of a remote location from one of his past missions, where he had to erase traces left behind.

His phone vibrated. It was another message from Nina: "Just snapped some sunset photos. Want to see?"

Ray tucked his phone away, suppressing his reaction. He knew that this smell by the lake was likely significant, but aside from the overpowering odor, there was no concrete evidence of anything suspicious. Standing still, his gaze sliced through the surroundings, but no distinct clues surfaced. The trail ended abruptly, as though deliberately concealed.

He sighed quietly, pushing down the questions that bubbled up within him. This wasn't the first time he'd encountered such a puzzle, but it still kept him on high alert. His experiences had taught him that when the truth was hidden, it often led to more sinister traps and schemes.

Casting one last glance around, Ray made sure he hadn't missed any detail. Though the scene held no definitive answers, he knew that even the lightest footprint or misplaced breath could invite unnecessary scrutiny.

He slowly moved back to firmer ground, carefully erasing the shallow traces he'd left by the lake's edge. He covered any footprints with subtle shifts of his toes, a practiced habit that had become second nature over time.

After a final, searching glance, Ray's expression grew resolute. His instincts told him that something unusual lurked within the lake, and he'd need to tread carefully in the future.

Satisfied that he'd left no trace, Ray walked away from the scene with a light, steady step, as if he'd never been there at all.