"Yanie!" Xenovia Kolbek rushed forward, wrapping Ulyana in an enthusiastic hug. Ulyana stiffened briefly before returning it.
"Xeno, I didn't know you'd already be here," Ulyana said.
"It's been three months, Yanie. Phone calls aren't enough," Xeno replied dramatically.
The two had known each other since childhood, briefly lost contact, and then unexpectedly reunited at boarding school, where they became roommates at En Evant Academy .
Ulyana closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into the familiarity of the embrace. When she opened them, she met the gaze of Amos De Luna, who stood nearby with a quiet expression.
"Hey, Yan," Amos said. "Good to see you."
He joined them, his calm presence grounding the moment. Over time, the three had formed a close bond through shared history and family connections that stretched back generations.
Xeno remained linked to Ulyana as she held Amos's hand. Only then did Ulyana notice the ring on Xeno's finger.
Her eyes widened. "Wait… you two finally made it official?" she exclaimed.
Amos gave a small grin. "I proposed this morning. I couldn't wait."
Ulyana laughed in disbelief. "I knew it. I just didn't think it would be this soon."
"We have a flight to Paris in two hours," Amos added. "Fashion show commitments."
"You want us to walk you in before we leave?" Xeno asked.
-
They headed toward the banquet room together, catching up along the way. As they approached the doors, Ulyana slowed.
"Is he here? Grayson?" she asked.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate. The couple exchanged a brief look but said nothing.
That was enough.
Ulyana took a steady breath. "Okay. It shouldn't be an issue."
They entered together.
Inside, attention turned quickly toward them. Whispers spread through the room as Ulyana moved forward with composed confidence. Among the crowd, she felt a familiar presence watching her. Her expression tightened slightly.
She continued toward the front table.
"Happy sixtieth, Deda," she said warmly, presenting a small wooden box.
Nikolai Vasily regarded her with his usual stoic expression, though his attention softened as he opened the gift. Inside was a carefully preserved pocket watch, engraved with a phrase he once shared with his late wife.
His expression barely changed, but Ulyana could read him well enough to know he was moved.
"You finally came," he said.
Ulyana smiled lightly. "Of course I did."
She sat beside him, while whispers from distant relatives filled the room. Nikolai's affection for Ulyana was well known, though rarely acknowledged openly.
"You know I'm fond of you," he said quietly, "because you understand me."
"I understand you because I know your heart," she replied. "Someone has to look after it."
A rare softness passed over his face.
Then, a familiar voice interrupted. "Ulyana. You look… ravishing."
Grayson Pierre.
Ulyana's posture changed instantly. She forced a polite expression.
"I need the restroom," she said to her grandfather before leaving.
Nikolai's gaze lingered on her as she walked away. Something was wrong. He could see it in her movements.
-
In the Ladie's powder room, Ulyana gripped the edge of the sink, trying to steady her breathing. She took her prescribed medication, hoping it would help settle her nerves.
After several minutes, she stepped out, only to be pulled abruptly into a narrow corridor.
"Grayson, get off me," she snapped.
He pinned her against the wall. "Do you remember the last time you said that?" he asked coldly.
Her breath caught. She turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes. "Grayson, you're hurting me," she said sharply.
"This isn't finished between us," he replied.
"It is for me," she said firmly. "You crossed a line I won't accept again."
Anger flared in his movement as he struck the wall beside her. She flinched and slipped free.
Before she could move further, he reached for her again.
But he never made contact.
A man in black had already intervened, slamming Grayson to the ground.
"Hak," Ulyana whispered, her voice breaking.
"I just finished an assignment," he said flatly.
Relief and shock hit her at once. Her vision blurred, her body overwhelmed by adrenaline and emotion. Her knees weakened.
"Ulyana—" Hak started, but she collapsed before he could finish.
He caught her immediately.
"I told you I'd protect you," he said quietly. "I'm sorry I was late."
He lifted her carefully, covering her with his jacket, and carried her toward the service elevator, disappearing into the lower levels of the building.
----
19:45
As they exited the elevator, Hak was met by his men.
The hotel staff continued their duties, though a few could not help but notice the unusual sight. Some of the female staff quickly recognised the woman Hak had in his arms, her presence alone enough to draw quiet attention.
Every employee in the organisation, from senior executives to housekeeping staff, was bound by strict confidentiality agreements. These contracts extended far beyond employment, ensuring that nothing witnessed or heard could ever be disclosed, regardless of time. What happened inside these walls would never reach the outside world.
Hak adjusted his hold on Ulyana, making sure she was properly covered as they moved through the staff corridor. The autumn air carried a sharp chill, and he did not want it affecting her.
He led the way through the staff entrance into the private car park where a vehicle was already waiting.
"Get us home, Giuseppe," he said as he carefully secured her seatbelt and settled her into his arms. Guilt weighed heavily on him. If he had escorted her earlier as planned, she would not be in this condition.
The car pulled away smoothly into the quiet streets.
About two blocks from the hotel, both Hak and Giuseppe felt it at the same time. Something was off.
Hak's posture changed instantly. "G, something's wrong."
"The roads are too empty for this time of night," Giuseppe replied, his voice low and focused.
The atmosphere inside the car tightened.
No pedestrians.
No passing vehicles.
No movement beyond the glow of streetlights, building lights, and a single traffic signal ahead.
They came to a stop.
The silence stretched.
Hak scanned the surroundings, eyes sharp, checking every shadow and reflection. Giuseppe stayed focused on the road ahead.
"This feels like a hit," Hak thought out loud.
Giuseppe cut the headlights. The car rolled forward slowly, barely moving, both men staying alert and ready as they searched for any sign of movement in the stillness.
Hak tightened the buckle on Ulyana's seatbelt and immediately shifted into full alert, the atmosphere shifted.
The car was already moving again. Giuseppe kept his eyes forward, hands steady on the wheel as the vehicle rolled into the dim stretch of road.
The silence outside was unnatural with no patrols, no sirens, not even a pedestrian; no movement at all.
Hak's phone vibrated. He answered instantly. "Bear."
A crackle of static came through before Bear's voice cut in, sharp and controlled.
"It's confirmed. A war has started. Small scale outbreak, multiple rival entries. Local enforcement is compromised or deliberately standing down."
Hak's jaw tightened. "And Nikolai?"
"Safe. Evacuated. Small engagement at the perimeter, his team secured him. They held; he should be back in the estate by 22:00."
A pause. "Ulyana stays with you. That is direct order. Until you reach the estate."
Hak exhaled slowly through his nose. "Understood."
The line cut.
Giuseppe glanced at him briefly. "We are in it then."
Hak did not answer immediately. His attention was already scanning the road behind them.
Then the first enemy contact came. A sharp burst of movement in the distance. Another vehicle appeared, headlights cutting through the dark, closing in fast.
"Contact," Hak said immediately.
Giuseppe swore under his breath and pressed the accelerator. The car surged forward. Behind them, the pursuing vehicle matched speed.
Ulyana stirred slightly in the back seat, still unconscious, her head resting against the seatbelt strap. Hak shifted closer without thinking, bracing her gently with one arm to keep her steady.
"Stay asleep," he muttered quietly, more to himself than anything.
Giuseppe took a sharp turn through a narrower street, tyres gripping the pavement hard as the car cut between buildings. The sound of another engine followed instantly.
"They are coordinated," Giuseppe said.
Hak's eyes narrowed. "Not random. This is planned."
The chase tightened.