HIS SALVATION

Chapter 26 - The Gathering

Newhaven Appartments

By eight that evening, Elsie had arranged everything on her coffee table.

The unauthorized gift sat in the middle.

Her phone was beside it.

A notebook was open.

A pen rested neatly on top.

And, for reasons even she couldn't explain, she had placed a packet of biscuits beside the notebook.

Elsie stared at her little investigation setup.

“This looks professional.”

She nodded to herself.

“Very professional.”

A knock sounded at the door.

Elsie hurried over and opened it.

Livia stood outside with a curious expression.

She stepped inside and immediately looked around.

“Where's the mystery?”

Elsie closed the door.

“Right here.”

Livia followed her gaze toward the coffee table.

Her eyes widened.

“You weren't joking.”

“Do I ever joke about mysteries?”

Livia gave her a look.

“You once spent twenty minutes investigating why your refrigerator was making a strange sound.”

“It was suspicious.”

“It was ice.”

“It was suspicious ice.”

Livia ignored that and walked toward the table.

She picked up the necklace and examined it from every angle.

“So this is the unauthorized gift.”

“Yes.”

“Very mysterious.”

“I know.”

“Very expensive-looking.”

“I know.”

Livia's eyes narrowed playfully.

“Very much like something someone would give to a person they—”

“Don't.”

Livia grinned.

“I didn't even finish.”

“You were going to.”

“I absolutely was.”

Elsie folded her arms.

“Focus.”

“Fine.”

Livia put the necklace down and pulled out the chair.

“Detective Livia is ready.”

Elsie sat opposite her.

“Good.”

Livia opened the notebook.

“First question. When did you find it?”

“When I woke up.”

“Was your door locked?”

“Yes.”

“Windows?”

“Locked.”

“Balcony?”

“Locked.”

“Did you hear anything during the night?”

“No.”

“Any footsteps?”

“No.”

“Voices?”

“No.”

“Strange noises?”

Elsie thought.

“My stomach growling.”

Livia stared at her.

“That isn't relevant.”

“It sounded strange.”

“Elsie.”

“Fine.”

Livia sighed and wrote something down.

“Next. Did you order anything?”

“No.”

“Did anyone tell you they were sending you something?”

“No.”

“Did you give anyone your address recently?”

Elsie paused.

“Not that I remember.”

Livia slowly lowered her pen.

“That isn't reassuring.”

“I know.”

They both looked at the necklace.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Livia leaned closer.

“Do you think someone broke into your apartment?”

Elsie's eyes widened.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because if someone broke into my apartment just to leave a gift, they have terrible priorities.”

Livia burst out laughing.

“That's your concern?”

“Yes.”

She pointed at the necklace.

“If they were going to sneak into my home, they could at least fix the squeaky window.”

Livia shook her head.

“You're impossible.”

“I prefer uniquely reasonable.”

“That's not a phrase.”

“It is now.”

Livia examined the necklace again.

“Was there any note?”

“No.”

“Name?”

“No.”

“Signature?”

“No.”

“Anything identifying the sender?”

“Nothing.”

Livia frowned.

“Then whoever sent it wanted you to receive it without knowing who they were.”

Elsie's expression became thoughtful.

“That is exactly what worries me.”

Livia looked at her.

“Could it be someone from Veyr Group?”

Elsie immediately remembered Aelia's question from that morning.

“Maybe.”

“Anyone suspicious?”

Elsie thought for a moment.

“Everyone at Veyr Group is suspicious.”

Livia raised an eyebrow.

“Everyone?”

“Yes.”

“Even the cafeteria lady?”

Elsie considered that.

“She gives me extra pudding.”

Livia stared.

“That's not suspicious.”

“It could be.”

“You're hopeless.”

Elsie smiled.

“But seriously…”

Her gaze returned to the necklace.

“There's something about this that bothers me.”

“What?”

“I don't know.”

She carefully lifted the necklace.

“It doesn't feel random.”

Livia's joking expression faded.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… whoever sent it knew exactly where I lived.”

She paused.

“And they chose something this expensive without even telling me why.”

Livia looked at the necklace again.

“That is strange.”

Elsie nodded.

“Exactly.”

Livia closed the notebook.

“Then we don't assume anything yet.”

Elsie looked at her.

“What do we do?”

“We investigate.”

Elsie's eyes brightened.

“I knew I invited the right person.”

“But we do it sensibly.”

“Of course.”

“No accusing innocent people.”

“I wasn't planning that.”

“No dramatic confrontations.”

Elsie hesitated.

Livia narrowed her eyes.

“Elsie.”

“Fine.”

“No dramatic confrontations.”

“Fine.”

They sat in silence for another moment.

Then Livia picked up the necklace again.

“You know what I think?”

Elsie looked at her suspiciously.

“What?”

“Someone likes you.”

Elsie nearly choked on her biscuit.

“That's impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because I would remember if someone liked me enough to secretly leave an expensive necklace in my apartment!”

Livia raised an eyebrow.

“Would you?”

Elsie opened her mouth.

Closed it.

“…That's not the point.”

Livia laughed.

Elsie picked up the necklace again, studying it thoughtfully.

“There has to be an explanation.”

Livia smiled.

“I'm sure there is.”

Elsie narrowed her eyes.

“You're enjoying this too much.”

“Obviously.”

Elsie sighed.

Then looked down at the necklace once more.

Somewhere in Newhaven, the man who knew exactly what that explanation was had no idea that Elsie Ashford had officially opened an investigation into his gift.

And somehow, he suspected she would make the investigation far more complicated than necessary.

VEYR GROUP

Newhaven glittered beneath the night sky.

From behind the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of his office, Zavian stood silently, his hands resting loosely at his sides as he looked down at the city.

The office had been quiet for some time.

The door opened.

Lucian stepped inside, carrying a slim folder.

Zavian didn't turn.

“How did it go?”

“Better than expected. They accepted the revised terms and agreed to the adjusted delivery schedule. There were some concerns regarding the financial projections, but we've addressed most of them. They'll send the revised agreement tomorrow morning.”

Zavian gave a slight nod.

Lucian opened the folder.

“There was another matter regarding the secondary development project.”

Zavian finally turned his head.

“The project is currently on hold.”

His gaze settled on Lucian.

“Why?”

“They need a strategic manager to oversee it. Our current strategic manager is already supervising three major projects, and adding another would affect the existing schedules.”

Zavian said nothing.

His gaze shifted toward the documents in Lucian's hand.

Then toward the city beyond the glass.

A few seconds passed.

“Arrange a meeting with Miss Ashford tomorrow morning.”

Lucian paused.

“Miss Ashford?”

Zavian looked at him.

That was enough.

Lucian immediately nodded.

“Of course.”

He turned toward the door.

There was a question in his mind.

Miss Ashford wasn't even a Veyr Group employee.

She was already supervising the Westbridge–Veyr project. Assigning another strategic responsibility to her seemed unusual.

But Lucian knew Zavian well enough not to ask.

He left.

The door closed quietly behind him.

Zavian returned his attention to the city.

His phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

Jared Harrington.

He answered.

“Yeah.”

Jared's familiar voice immediately filled the quiet office.

“Where are you?”

Zavian's gaze remained on the city.

“Work.”

“I figured.”

A short laugh came from the other end.

“Come to Velmont Club. We're all here.”

Zavian's expression remained unchanged.

“No.”

“Oh, come on. It's been ages.”

Silence.

Jared continued before Zavian could end the call.

“Same place. Harbor Street. Our usual spot. Don't tell me you're planning to spend the entire night staring at spreadsheets.”

Zavian's eyes narrowed slightly.

“I'm busy.”

“You're always busy.”

Another pause.

Then Jared added,

“Just come for a while.”

Zavian didn't answer immediately.

His eyes drifted toward the clock.

Then back to the city.

A quiet breath escaped him.

“Fine.”

Jared laughed.

“There he is.”

The call ended.

Zavian slipped his phone into his pocket.

He picked up his coat and walked toward the door.

VELMONT CLUB

Velmont Club stood along Harbor Street, its dark glass façade reflecting the harbor lights that shimmered across the water.

The exclusive club was one of those places where its reputation spoke for itself.

Discreet entrances.

Impeccably dressed staff.

Private lounges reserved for members and their guests.

And, on the upper floor, a room that was accessible only to a select few.

Zavian entered the club without needing to announce himself.

The hostess recognized him immediately and offered a respectful nod.

“Good evening, Mr. Veyr.”

Zavian returned the gesture before making his way upstairs.

At the end of a quiet corridor stood a set of dark double doors.

Beyond them was their usual gathering place.

A completely private room surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

From inside, the entire club could be seen below—the elegant lounge, the private dining areas, the bar, and the movement of guests—but from the outside, the tinted glass revealed nothing of what happened inside.

No ordinary guest could enter.

No staff member came in without permission.

It was their private space.

Zavian opened the door.

Jared looked up first.

“Well, look who's finally decided to show up.”

Zavian stepped inside.

“You called.”

Jared gave a small smile.

“I did. And, surprisingly, you answered.”

Zavian gave him a brief look.

Darren, sitting nearby, immediately turned toward him.

“There he is.”

His face brightened.

“I was beginning to think Jared had invited the wrong man.”

Jared shook his head.

“I considered sending someone to drag him here.”

Darren laughed.

“That would have been entertaining.”

Zavian took the empty seat without responding.

Darren's eyes settled on Zavian, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

“So… I heard you bought a necklace at the auction.”

Jared glanced toward Zavian.

“A necklace?”

Darren nodded, clearly enjoying himself.

“A rather beautiful one, apparently.”

Jared's brows lifted slightly.

“You actually bid on jewelry?”

Zavian remained silent.

Darren laughed.

“Three million dollars, if I remember correctly.”

“That's not what surprises me,” Jared said, amusement touching his voice. “It's the fact that you bought a necklace.”

Darren nodded enthusiastically.

“Exactly. Zavian Veyr voluntarily purchasing jewelry is considerably more interesting than the price.”

Zavian gave them a cold look.

Darren raised his hands, laughing.

“I'm only curious.”

Jared's gaze lingered on Zavian for a moment.

“Who was it for?”

Zavian's expression didn't change.

Darren immediately grinned.

“And there it is. The silence.”

Jared chuckled.

“That probably means we're not getting an answer.”

Zavian leaned back, completely uninterested in satisfying their curiosity.

Darren shook his head with a laugh.

“Fine. Keep your secrets.”

The teasing eventually faded as the conversation shifted toward business.

Darren brought up several developments concerning their respective interests, and Jared listened carefully, occasionally adding his thoughts.

The discussion moved through investments, negotiations, and a few ongoing corporate matters.

Zavian contributed only when necessary, his responses brief and precise.

After a while, Jared leaned back and exhaled.

“As for Harrington Group…”

He paused.

“That situation is finally settled.”

Darren looked at him.

“Completely?”

Jared nodded.

“The negotiations are finished. The internal issues have been dealt with, and the restructuring is underway.”

“That must be a relief,” Darren said.

“It is.”

Jared leaned back comfortably.

“I'm honestly exhausted.”

Darren smiled.

“So that's why you dragged us here?”

“I didn't drag anyone.”

“You practically begged Zavian to come.”

Jared gave him an unimpressed look.

“I invited him.”

“Repeatedly.”

Jared ignored that.

“I've decided to take a break from corporate matters for a while.”

Darren nodded knowingly.

“Good. You need one.”

“No meetings. No negotiations. No contracts.”

Jared lifted his glass.

“Tonight, I'm not thinking about business.”

Darren smiled.

“Until someone mentions money.”

Jared laughed.

“Then I'll leave.”

For the first time since entering the room, the corner of Zavian's mouth seemed to move almost imperceptibly.

Darren noticed.

His eyes widened.

“Did you just—”

Zavian's gaze landed on him.

Darren immediately cleared his throat.

“Nothing.”

Jared laughed quietly.

And the conversation continued.