Chapter 5

“Anya, this is all the information we could find.”

In the car, Leo leaned over to hand me a file.

The information was sparse, but even this little bit was probably what Julian *wanted* me to find.

Ms. Carter’s full name was Lily Carter. She was three years younger than Julian.

And she grew up in… the same area as Julian.

Before Julian brought her back, she worked at an orphanage. Her record was spotless, practically screaming “innocent hothouse flower.”

“The boss seems… different with her.”

Leo whispered in my ear.

Indeed, this Lily Carter—could she really be Julian’s ‘white moonlight’—that pure, untainted love in his dark, twisted world?

I bit my nail, thinking.

As far as I knew, Julian had very few weaknesses left.

He had no parents, clawed his way up from the bottom, even joined this organization later than I did.

Young, yet ruthless. I’d watched him climb, then stuck with him, choosing the right man, and also the wrong one.

Right, because I became his confidante; cutting me off would be like severing his own arm.

Wrong, because… I hadn’t anticipated his explosive rise.

By the time I realized it, it was too late.

My thoughts were interrupted by Leo’s next words. He clapped my shoulder.

“The boss said…”

“He wants to eat your cooking.”

“…”

If Julian wanted to eat, I had to cook for him.

I offered a slight smile and told the driver to turn around.

To the grocery store, to buy ingredients.