HER DARK PATH

A Promise Over Coffee

Chapter 22

A Promise Over Coffee

The afternoon sun hung low as Nadia and Ethan left the university together.

For the first time in weeks, neither of them had to think about their project.

It was finally over.

"I still can't believe it's done," Ethan said with a relieved smile.

Nadia laughed softly.

"I've never seen someone so happy to finish an assignment."

"It wasn't just an assignment."

"What was it then?"

"The best project I've ever worked on."

Nadia looked at him.

"Because of the software?"

He shook his head.

"Because of my partner."

She looked away, hiding a small smile.

"You'll make me think you're trying to flatter me."

"I'm only telling the truth."

A few minutes later, they arrived at a quiet café near the university.

It wasn't crowded, which was exactly what they wanted.

They found a table by the window and placed their orders.

"So," Ethan said, "what are your plans after convocation?"

Nadia stirred her juice thoughtfully.

"I haven't decided."

"Really?"

"I'll probably help my father with his business."

"You've mentioned your father a lot."

She smiled.

"He's my role model."

"I'd like to meet him someday."

"I'm sure he'd like you."

"What about you?" Nadia asked.

"What will you do after convocation?"

Ethan sighed.

"My parents expect me to join the family company."

"But?"

"I want to build my own technology company."

Nadia smiled.

"I had a feeling you'd say that."

"You did?"

"You love computers too much."

He laughed.

"I guess I do."

"I don't want people to know me just because of my family's name."

"I want to succeed because of my own work."

Nadia admired his determination.

"I think you'll do it."

He looked at her.

"You really believe that?"

"I do."

For some reason...

Her words meant more to him than anyone else's encouragement.

Across the café...

A man wearing a black cap pretended to read a newspaper.

Every few minutes, he secretly glanced toward Nadia and Ethan.

He wasn't there for coffee.

He was there to watch.

Nadia noticed his reflection in the window the moment she entered the café.

She recognized him immediately.

Another new face.

Whoever is behind this doesn't want the same people following me.

She calmly continued her conversation with Ethan as though nothing was wrong.

She wasn't worried.

If they wanted to watch...

She would let them.

Back at the university...

Vanessa stood outside the Faculty of Business with Clara.

"So they really went out together."

Clara nodded.

"They've been working hard for weeks."

"They're probably just celebrating."

Vanessa folded her arms.

"I don't care."

"I've waited too long."

Clara looked at her carefully.

"What are you going to do?"

Vanessa's expression turned cold.

"If Ethan won't notice me..."

"...I'll make sure he notices Nadia."

"What does that mean?"

Vanessa smiled faintly.

"It means the next rumor won't be enough."

"This time..."

"I'm going to make everyone believe Nadia has something to hide."

Clara's face turned pale.

"Vanessa... don't do something you'll regret."

Vanessa walked away without answering.

That evening...

Ethan returned home and went straight to his room.

He switched on his laptop and continued examining the mysterious traces left by the attempted intrusion.

His security program suddenly displayed a new notification.

Unknown device detected.

Ethan frowned.

"That's impossible."

The device appeared only for a few seconds...

Then vanished.

He immediately began tracing it.

But once again...

It disappeared before he could identify it.

He leaned back in his chair.

"You're careful."

He smiled slightly.

"But sooner or later..."

"...everyone makes a mistake."

Across the city, inside a dimly lit room, someone closed a laptop.

On the screen was a single message.

Connection terminated successfully.

The person's face remained hidden in the darkness.

A gloved hand picked up a silver raven card from the table before the room fell silent once again.