HER DARK PATH

Beneath the Mask

Chapter 24

Beneath the Mask

Tuesday morning arrived with dark clouds hanging over the city.

A light drizzle fell as students hurried across the university campus, umbrellas in hand.

Nadia walked toward the Faculty of Business, her expression calm as always.

Although she appeared relaxed, her eyes quietly scanned her surroundings.

The security guard at the main gate.

A white delivery van parked near the administration building.

Two unfamiliar men sitting on a bench pretending to read newspapers.

New faces, she thought.

They're learning.

Without changing her pace, she continued toward her lecture hall.

"Nadia!"

She turned as Ethan jogged toward her, holding a black umbrella.

"You forgot your umbrella, didn't you?"

She looked up at the cloudy sky and smiled.

"I guess I did."

"Come on."

He held the umbrella over both of them.

"It's a long walk."

For a second, Nadia hesitated.

Then she stepped closer.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

As they walked together, several classmates smiled at the sight.

A few even whispered to each other.

Ethan noticed.

"I think people have too much free time."

Nadia laughed.

"I was thinking the same thing."

Their morning lecture ended earlier than expected.

As students began leaving, the lecturer called after them.

"Don't forget! Convocation is only a few weeks away. Make sure all your clearance documents are complete."

The classroom buzzed with excitement.

Outside, Ethan stretched his arms.

"I can't believe we'll be graduates soon."

"It still feels unreal," Nadia admitted.

"What are you going to miss the most?"

She looked around the campus.

"The library."

Ethan laughed.

"I should've known."

"What about you?"

"The computer lab."

"Of course."

"And..."

He smiled.

"Our daily project meetings."

Nadia looked at him.

"We don't have a project anymore."

"I know."

"But I'd still like to see you."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Nadia smiled.

"I think we can manage that."

Ethan's face lit up.

"I'll hold you to it."

From the second floor of the building, Vanessa watched the conversation.

Her expression darkened.

"They're getting closer."

Clara sighed.

"I told you this would happen."

Vanessa looked away.

"No."

"This isn't over."

She reached into her handbag and removed her phone.

"There are other ways to separate people."

She dialed a number.

"I need another favor."

That evening...

Nadia stopped by a supermarket to buy a few things for home.

As she pushed her shopping cart toward the checkout counter, she noticed a familiar reflection in the glass refrigerator door.

The man in the dark cap.

He was pretending to compare different brands of bottled water.

But his eyes kept drifting toward her.

Nadia paid for her groceries without acknowledging him.

Outside the supermarket, she walked toward her car.

She placed the shopping bags in the trunk before quietly closing it.

Without looking back, she spoke.

"You've been following me for two days."

The man froze.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Nadia smiled faintly.

"That's the second time someone has said those exact words to me."

The man's expression changed.

"You have five seconds to leave."

Her voice remained calm.

"No threats."

"No shouting."

Just quiet confidence.

"For your own sake."

The man stared at her for a moment.

Then, without another word, he turned around and walked away.

Nadia watched him disappear into the crowd.

She already knew he wasn't the one giving the orders.

He was just another pawn.

A few streets away...

The man hurried into a black SUV.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"She noticed me."

The older man sitting in the back seat remained silent.

After a long pause, he asked,

"What exactly did she say?"

The man swallowed.

"She told me to leave... for my own sake."

The older man's eyes narrowed.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Interesting."

"Very interesting."

He looked out the window as the SUV pulled into traffic.

"This girl..."

"...is far from ordinary."