The afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long, golden streaks across the campus grounds as Adrian finally stepped out of the Student Council building. The meeting with the Silver Lotus representatives—led formally by Claire—had been long, detailed, and surprisingly productive. The terms of the alliance were set: shared intelligence, coordinated patrols, and a joint task force dedicated entirely to unraveling the secrets behind Sophia’s accident and the Silver Vipers’ operations.
Adrian adjusted the collar of his uniform, his mind already drifting away from the strategic plans and back to the one person who mattered most. He checked his watch; it had been nearly three hours since he had last seen Sophia. She had assured him she would be fine walking alone for a while, and he had trusted her
