shadows and smokes

After Ryan and Hynnah arrived, they separated briefly. Gyan watched them prepare to leave as Ryan called for the lift. There were still thirty minutes before Gyan's flight to Orange City, so there was no rush.

Once they arrived at the hotel restaurant, Gyan noticed men quietly trailing them. Ryan drove Hynnah home, leaving Gyan to take Charlotte. What they didn't know was that several photos had already been taken of them and were spreading rapidly on the school website and in social media groups.

Lucas soon arrived at the restaurant to pick up Gyan and Charlotte.

"Sir, there are people following us," Lucas informed, casting glances at the shadows beyond the glass.

Gyan didn't reply. Instead, he smiled faintly and offered no explanation. After safely dropping off Charlotte at the Carter's Manor, Gyan and Lucas disappeared down the road.

"You know what to do," Gyan said as he fastened his seatbelt. "Lose them within ten minutes before we head to the airport."

Lucas nodded. The car roared to life and sped off, weaving through the city. They drove in circles before heading toward a private company lot. By the time they exited, no tailing vehicles remained. A helicopter was seen leaving the compound just minutes after they left.

Inside the helicopter, two men sat in the cockpit. But the seats behind them were empty—no passengers.

"Sir, we've lost his track. He's vanished," one of them said.

"Find him," a voice ordered over the radio. "Find him or don't call again."

The call ended. The search had failed.

Far away, in the rolling countryside, Gyan and Lucas sipped tea in silence.

"The plan worked," Lucas said. "The helicopter was hijacked just as you predicted. But… where are they headed now?"

"The location is scrambled," Lucas added. "I couldn't trace it."

"It doesn't matter," Gyan replied calmly. "It would've been suspicious if you could."

He sipped again and added, "They came for wool but instead went back home shorn."

Lucas hesitated. "Sir… you mean—"

Gyan's cold stare cut him off. Lucas immediately apologized, realizing he'd asked the wrong question.

---

Meanwhile, the floating city was in chaos. The beloved princess of the Howard family had vanished on her engagement day. No one knew where she had gone—only a letter remained. Her father, furious and humiliated, locked down the city in a fury of royal rage.

Jace Hutton, her intended fiancé, was also angry and was already sending people to pursue her.. Her disappearance was a public disgrace and a private betrayal. Flying cars patrolled the skies, and patrol bikes swept the lower decks. All known tunnels were searched—but she was gone.

The city was on high alert. Orders poured out of the palace. A manhunt of royal proportions had begun.

Elsewhere, deep in the wilderness, a lone woman fought her way out of a forest. Her clothes were torn, her arms and legs bruised, but she was alive. Two days later, she arrived in a city in Orange County, gasping in relief.

She wasn't safe yet. She knew they'd catch up to her. After buying some essentials, she booked into a cheap hotel and began gathering information about the city and her next destination.

---

Back in Orange City, Gyan sat high above the skyline on the top floor of a sleek company building. Lucas stood by his side, as always, while another figure, Jordan, paced behind them.

"Are all the preparations in place for tomorrow's flight?" Gyan asked.

"Yes. Everything is ready," Lucas confirmed. "We've also tracked one of their bases. Will you be joining the raid tonight?"

Gyan didn't answer immediately. He had changed.

His demeanor had hardened. The old calm warmth had been replaced by something sharper. He was no longer just skilled—he was now feared. A grandmaster at his peak, with a presence that chilled even allies.

"Who's the target tonight?" he asked coolly.

Jordan hesitated. Gyan had never shown interest in operations like this before. Now he didn't even blink.

.....

"If there's someone you can't handle," Gyan said, rising to his feet, "ask Ryan. He needs something to do—maybe take that woman on a trip."

He walked out. Jordan stared after him.

"Gyan, you've grown up," he said quietly, giving him a thumbs-up.

Gyan's lips curled in a rare smirk.

In this country, many powerful men moved in the shadows—but Gyan was on top of every list. Dangerous. Brilliant. Elusive. Few had ever seen his full face.

"It's been ten years," Gyan said later, rejoining them. "How do you expect me not to grow up? And haven't you?"

"You've grown," Jordan admitted. "But I'm not at my best. Let me defeat your right-hand man first, then I'll be ready for the next mission."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Why drag me into this? I'm not interested in fighting you again. You backstabbed me last time."

Gyan laughed, eyes flickering between them.

"You two still bicker every time we meet. Lucas, remember when you were tricked into spying on Master's daughter while she was bathing?"

Lucas groaned. "Don't remind me. I couldn't eat for a month."

"That was your fault," Jordan replied. "If you hadn't stared, the monster wouldn't have caught us."

Gyan shook with laughter. "And instead of treating his wounds, someone added salt. That was you, wasn't it, Jordan?"

Lucas froze. "You… You… YOU!"

Jordan blinked. "What?"

"You added salt to my wounds! I won't forgive you!" Lucas yelled, launching after him.

Jordan ran behind Gyan for cover, shouting, "He's gone mad!"

Gyan just laughed, the sound echoing through the hall.