bChapter /bb76 /b

    A few hourster, news of the assassination attempt on Aliana had already spread throughout the city. The media kept reporting on the incident non-

    stop.

    In the hospital ward, Bianca, leaning back against the bed, was watching the news with a satisfied look. Her lips curled into a thin, triumphant smile, as if the misfortune that had befallen Aliana was the most beautiful gift she had received today.

    “Finally, you feel fear too, Aliana,” Bianca murmured softly, her sharp gaze fixed on the television screen. “I know he won’t stop until everything is truly

    finished.”

    Derek, who had been standing near the door, felt somewhat relieved to see Bianca beginning to calm down after days of anger.

    Bianca turned to Derek with a cold stare. “Derek, tell the doctor to schedule the stic surgery as soon as possible. I can’t stand having this face arry longer. I must recover quickly and be beautiful again like before.”

    Derek nodded quickly, though he still doubted whether such a swift operation would be possible.

    “I’ll speak to the doctor right away, Miss.”

    “Good,” Bianca replied curtly, turning her gaze back to the television that was still broadcasting news about Aliana’s incident. Her lips curved in satisfaction.

    As Derek stepped out, Bianca leaned backfortably again. Though today’s attack on Aliana had failed, Bianca was certain that the mysterious man would not disappoint her. She believed Aliana would soon meet the same fate as Alicia–gone from her and Andrian’s life forever.

    Meanwhile, Rafe immediately carried out Aliana’s orders. Without wasting time, he arranged for Julian to be moved to an old building on the outskirts of the city–safe yet secluded, the perfect ce to lure Kestrel. He was assisted by Lucas, who carried out the task of bringing Julian to the location without asking many questions. Though Lucas did not fully understand the n, he obeyed because he wanted to serve Nyx, his idol.

    Julian, bound and gagged, could only growl in anger, unaware that he had now be bait.

    Once everything was ready, Rafe sent a short message to Aliana:

    Miss, everything is ready. Julian has been moved. Lucas and I will wait for Kestrel’s arrival.

    Several minutes passed in silence. Rafe kept watch, asionally checking his phone screenb, /bwaiting for Aliana’s reply. Soon, a notification appeared on

    his screen:

    Alright, I’m on my way. Don’t let your guard down.

    Rafe exhaled in relief, feeling reassured that Aliana would arrive soon.

    Outside the building, Kestrel arrived. Information about Julian’s location had quickly spread through the channels Rafe had set up. As expected, Kestrel -who had indeed been looking for Julian–received the news. Although he knew it might be a trap, Kestrel decided toe. To him, the chance to meet Nyx was too valuable to pass iup/i.

    Kestrel parked his car a few blocks away from the warehouse and approached cautiously. His movements were calm yet vignt. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings as if searching for signs of an ambush.

    When he reached the warehouse, before he could step further, a figure dressed entirely in ck shot out from the darkness–Nyx. Without a word, Nyx attacked, swinging ba /bknife with deadly precision/

    The first sh instantly triggered a rush of adrenaline. Kestrel swiftly dodged and countered with a quick kick toward Nyx’s stomach, but the strike was blocked. The sound of shing metal echoed as Nyx’s de tried to break through Kestrel’s defense.

    The fight was fierce. Both moved quickly, reading each other’s movements. Nyx pressed the attack aggressively, relying on speed and precision, while Kestrel used his physical strength and endurance. Every strike was met with ba /bcounter; every step was calcted.

    Lucas, who had left earlier to buy medical supplies, returned to the warehouse and was startled by the fight. His eyes widened at the sight of the two figures engaged in intensebat at the edge of the warehouse. He instinctively stepped back, not wanting to get involved, but still watched with

    concern

    Seeing the battle grow fiercer, Lucas worried that Nyx might be overwhelmed. He quickly went inside to call Rafe.

    “Sir Rafe, there’s a fight outside!” Lucas rushed in, carrying the box of medical supplies.

    “Has Nyx arrived?” Rafe asked in shock.

    Rate gestured for Lucas to stay calm while he drew a pistol from inside his jacket. The two of them hurried toward the sound of the fight. When they reached the front yard, Rafe froze at the startling sight.

    Nyx was fighting Kestrel! Nyx’s movements were so familiar–the fighting style belonged to ionly /ione person he knew very well. Rafe froze for a moment, his mind racing. How could Nyx be standing right in front of him, when Aliana had just replied to his message minutes ago iming she was still on her

    way?

    “Impossible!” Rafe muttered in shock. He stood still for a few seconds, watching Nyx’s swift, precise, and lethal attacks against Kestrel.

    Confusion mixed with cautionb, /bRafe stayed fully alert. He kept his eyes on Nyx, trying bto /bfind an opening to confirm their identity, but the fight was too fast to follow in detail.

    “What’s wrong?b” /b

    Lucas looked at Rafe in confusion as he remained silent.

    “Miss Aliana just replied to my message a few minutes ago. It’s impossible she got here this quickly. Besides, I didn’t see any vehicle arrive,” Rafe exined in a low voice, his eyes still fixed on the escting fight before them.

    “What?!” Lucas eximed in shock. “Don’t tell me, she-”

    “It’s better if we stay put,” Rafe cut in, his eyes still fixed on the fight.

    Kestrel managed tond a hit that made Nyx stagger, but Nyx’s follow–up strike nearly shed Kestrel’s neck with the de. Both of them exploited even the smallest opening. Their breathing grew ragged–a sign that the fight was draining their strength.

    Lucas, still standing by the side door, nced at Rafe, his eyes silently asking what they should do. But Rafe raised his hand, signaling him to hold back.

    In the midst of the battle, Kestrel became increasingly overwhelmed by Nyx’s relentless assault. A powerful kick from Nyx finally sent Kestrel crashing against the wall, leaving him breathless in pain. Nyx stood tallb, /bready to deliver the final blow.

    Before the strike could ie/i, the roar of a motorcycle stopping abruptly echoed nearby. Secondster, the sound of hurried footsteps grew louder, and then Aliana appeared–dressed as Nyx.

    Her steps halted instantly, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her. She froze, staring at another figure wearing the exact same mask and outfit she used when acting as Nyx.

    “Who are you?!” Aliana shouted angrily, her voice sharp andmanding.

    The fake Nyx slowly turned their head, the mask concealing their expression, adding to the tension. After a few seconds of silently facing Aliana, the figure suddenly leapt backward with agility, vanishing into the night without a single word.

    Aliana clenched her jaw, her gaze filled with both anger and curiosity. She then turned toward Kestrel, who was now on his feet, clutching his injured arm. Their eyes met–full of hatred and suspicion.

    “It seems this game is getting more interesting, Nyx,” Kestrel said coldly, letting out a faintugh despite his pain. b“/bTurns out bI /bbhave /bbtwo /bvery intriguing opponents.b” /b

    Aliana didn’t respond bto /bthe taunt. Her eyes narrowed with menace, just as she prepared to strike Kestrel down.

    b213 /b

    b07:16 /bbTue/b, 2 bSept /b

    Suddenly, Kestrel tossed a small smoke grenade. A burst of thick white smoke filled the area, cutting off visibility within ser to thin, Kestrel was already gone leaving the warehouse without a trace

    Nyx stood motionless for a moment amidst the lingering haze, Rafe and Lucas walked toward her.

    “What exactly happened?” Aliana demanded, her sharp gaze fixed on Rafe, who still looked both confused and cautious

    “I don’t know either, Miss,” Rafe replied slowly, his voiceced with unease. “I thought it was you who arrived first.”

    Aliana drew a deep breath, struggling to rein in her emotions. She fully understood inow /ithat the situation had be far moreplicated than d had anticipated. The person posing as Nyx was no mere impersonator–they clearly iknew /ia great deal about her and were highly trained

    “We can’t let them roam free. Find out who they are immediately, Rafe!” Aliana ordered, her voice cold yet filled with authority

    b“/bbYes/b, Miss,” Rafe answered quickly, instantly grasping the gravity of the situation.

    Aliana nced briefly in the direction where the fake Nyx had disappeared. Her focus was no longer on Kestrel, but entirely on that figureb. /bEven bthough /bshe had only caught a glimpse of the fight, she was certain that every movement the impostor made–from their footsteps, their stance, to the way theyunched their attacks–was identical to hers.

    It felt like watching her own shadow move across the battlefield. Nyx’s breathing was heavy, not from exhaustion, but from an intensifying sense of vignce. How could there be someone with the exact same skills, body build, and fighting style as hers?

    Nyx’s heart was uneasy. Her instincts screamed that this was no coincidence. There was something far bigger behind this mysterious figure’s appearance

    Who are you, really? Aliana thoughtb, /bher eyes still fixed on the spot where the fake Nyx had vanished, as if she could still clearly see their shadow.