The room had barely settled after the guards left when the door opened again.
Adrian walked in.
Elena's entire expression changed instantly.
Like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Warm.
Soft.
Perfect.
"There you are."
She stood immediately, the earlier darkness disappearing so naturally it was almost frightening.
"I missed you so much."
Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked toward him.
Adrian loosened the cuff of his sleeve slightly before looking at her.
"I invited you to the company plenty of times before," he said calmly. "You never came."
A pause.
"Why all of a sudden?"
Elena smiled.
Not too brightly.
Just enough.
"Mmm…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Because I felt like it."
She stepped closer, fixing the collar of his suit absentmindedly.
"And because I missed you."
Adrian looked at her for a moment.
Quiet.
Unreadable.
Then..
"Hm."
Elena didn't mind his lack of reaction.
She never did.
"Oh, right," she said suddenly, as though she had just remembered. "My birthday is coming up."
"Next tomorrow."
Her smile widened slightly.
"I want you to come."
A small pause.
"And bring your company members too. I'd like everyone to join."
That made Adrian glance at her properly.
"My company members?"
"Yes."
"That's unusual."
Elena shrugged lightly.
"What's wrong with wanting to celebrate with the people who work hard for you?"
Adrian watched her for another second.
Then nodded once.
"Fine."
His voice remained calm.
"I'll pick a few who can attend."
Elena smiled immediately.
Satisfied.
"Good."
A knock interrupted the moment.
His assistant stepped in carefully.
"Sir," she said professionally, "the distribution department meeting is about to begin."
Adrian nodded once.
"I'll be there shortly."
He looked back at Elena.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Polite.
Controlled.
"Don't cause trouble while I'm gone."
Elena laughed softly.
"When have I ever caused trouble?"
The assistant lowered her eyes slightly at that.
Adrian didn't answer.
He simply turned and left the room.
The moment the door closed...
The smile on Elena's face faded.
Not completely.
Just enough.
The maid beside her hesitated before speaking.
"Miss…"
Elena looked up lazily.
"This is the first time you've invited employees from Mr. Adrian's company to your birthday."
A pause.
"…it's a little strange."
Elena leaned back slowly into the couch.
"Strange?"
She smiled faintly.
"The best way to catch a mouse…"
Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"…is to leave bait under the trap."
The maid's eyes widened slightly.
"You're very smart, my lady."
Elena's smile deepened just a little.
"But…"
The maid hesitated.
"You still don't remember her face. Or even her name."
That silence lasted longer.
Then Elena sighed softly.
"It's true."
Her brows furrowed slightly, annoyed with herself.
"I was too drunk that night."
A quiet pause.
Then...
Her eyes lifted again.
Sharp now.
Focused.
"Go tell Philip to pull up the CCTV footage from the bar."
"The twenty-sixth of March."
The maid straightened immediately.
"Yes, Miss Elena."
She hurried out.
The room fell quiet again.
Elena sank deeper into the couch, crossing one leg over the other slowly.
Then...
She smiled.
Softly.
To herself.
A low hum escaped her lips, quiet and almost cheerful as she rested her head against the couch.
Like someone patiently waiting for a game to begin.
And somewhere else in the company...
Without even realizing it...
Lina had already stepped into the trap.