CHAPTER 33The Trap
They set the trap at the charity gala for the new "Historical Reconciliation Foundation"—the very organization they'd created to bait The Archivist.
The event was a glittering affair at the city's most prestigious museum. All four families were present, putting on a show of unity. Luna wore emerald green, the Wǎngshā spider-web pattern subtly embroidered at the hem. Leo stood beside her, his hand resting possessively at the small of her back.
"Remember," he murmured as they greeted guests, "watch for anyone who seems too interested in the foundation's records."
The foundation's donor list was the bait—it contained coded references to the Lǐng family reparations. Only someone who knew what to look for would recognize it.
Midway through the evening, Luna spotted Rook Yèshòu having a tense conversation with Seraphine Montegreco near the champagne fountain. She drifted closer, pretending to examine a nearby sculpture.
"...don't care what they promised you," Rook was saying, his voice low and dangerous. "Stay out of this."
"I have a right to be here," Seraphine hissed. "My family was almost destroyed by yours."
"Your family destroyed itself. We just collected the pieces."
Before Luna could hear more, a hand touched her elbow. She turned to find Jett.
"You need to see this," he whispered, leading her to a secluded alcove. He showed her his phone. On it was a live feed from a security camera he'd smuggled into the museum's archives room.
Someone was there, dressed in black, searching through the foundation's paper records.
"Who is it?" Luna whispered.
The figure turned, removing their hood.
Luna's blood ran cold.
It was Elara Chen. Leo's operations manager.