Joseph had already left.
The room felt… looser now.
Less pressure.
But not safe.
Maya didn't waste a second.
She walked straight up to Liam.
Close.
Too close.
"You're new…" she said, tilting her head slightly. "And bold."
Her fingers lightly brushed his sleeve.
"I like that."
Liam didn't even look at her.
"…Move."
Maya smiled wider.
Not offended.
More interested.
"Cold too?"
She leaned in a bit more.
"Even better."
Anthony rolled his eyes from the side.
"Here she goes again…"
Leo adjusted his glasses quietly, observing.
Marcus just leaned against the wall, watching the interaction.
Elena stayed silent.
Just… watching Liam carefully.
Maya circled slightly around Liam.
"You don't talk much… but I can fix that."
Liam finally glanced at her.
One second.
Flat.
Unreadable.
"You can't."
That.
only made her grin.
"I don't give up easily."
"…I do."
And just like that.
he stepped past her.
No hesitation.
No interest.
Maya turned her head, watching him walk away.
"…Damn."
A soft laugh.
"I want him even more now."
Anthony scoffed.
"You want everyone."
"Not like this."
Elena finally spoke.
Quiet.
"…He's not like the others."
Maya smirked.
"That's the point."
Meanwhile.
Liam had already left the building.
Outside.
The air felt different.
Quieter.
Cleaner.
He walked with no rush.
Hands in his pockets.
Eyes forward.
"…Interesting side."
He muttered under his breath.
A pause.
"But not enough."
His direction changed.
Clear.
Decisive.
Emma's building.
The "Emperor."
He wanted to see her again.
Not as a rumor.
Not as a story.
But as reality.
Step by step.
he moved through the streets.
No hesitation.
No loyalty.
Just curiosity.
"…Let's see."
A faint whisper.
"Which side is worth staying alive for."
Liam stopped a few steps away from the entrance.
Clean building.
Heavy security.
Not surprising.
The moment he stepped closer.
click.
Multiple guns aimed straight at him.
"Stop right there."
"State your business."
Liam didn't flinch.
Didn't raise his hands either.
He just stood there.
"I want to meet Emma."
The guards didn't move.
If anything.
their grip tightened.
"Not happening."
"Turn around."
"…Yeah. Thought so."
Liam sighed lightly.
Then.
footsteps.
Slow.
Calm.
A figure appeared from inside.
Mostang.
Cigarette between his fingers.
Smoke trailing lazily into the air.
His eyes landed on Liam.
sharp.
Evaluating.
"…Who are you."
Liam glanced at him.
Took a second.
"Well…"
A small shrug.
"I'm just a guy."
"Living his life."
Mostang didn't react.
Just stared.
Liam continued.
Calm.
Almost casual.
"Never watched her broadcasts."
"Never cared."
A slight tilt of his head.
"Do you believe that I've never even seen her face?"
Silence.
The guards looked at each other.
Suspicious.
Mostang took a drag from his cigarette.
Held it.
Then exhaled slowly.
"…No."
A pause.
"But you're not lying."
That made the guards hesitate.
Mostang stepped forward.
Closer to Liam.
Eyes locked.
"…You're either stupid."
"…or very confident."
Liam gave a faint smirk.
"Maybe both."
A short silence.
Then.
Mostang turned slightly.
"Let him in."
"Sir—"
"I said let him in."
The guns slowly lowered.
Still tense.
Still ready.
Mostang walked past Liam.
Then stopped beside him.
"I'll be behind you."
Liam didn't turn.
"Wouldn't expect anything less."
They entered together.
Inside.
quiet.
Clean.
Controlled.
Every step echoed lightly.
Mostang walked just a step behind him.
Not close enough to seem desperate.
but close enough to kill him instantly if needed.
"…One wrong move," Mostang said calmly,
"and you're dead before you hit the ground."
Liam kept walking.
"Fair."
His eyes moved slightly.
observing everything.
Layout.
Guards.
Cameras.
Exits.
"…So this is her kingdom."
Mostang's gaze sharpened.
"Watch your words."
Liam smirked faintly.
"I'm just curious."
They stopped in front of a door.
Mostang stepped forward.
Hand on the handle.
"…Don't waste her time."
A small pause.
Then he opened the door.
Inside.
Emma.
The door opened.
Kane was already there.
The moment Liam stepped in.
he stood up.
Fast.
Chair scraping slightly.
Eyes sharp.
Body ready.
One move.
That's all it would take.
Mostang stayed behind Liam.
Silent.
Watching.
Emma…
Was sitting.
Still.
Calm.
Her fingers resting lightly on the desk.
Her eyes lifted.
And locked onto Liam.
That was it.
No words.
No reaction.
Just.
that stare.
Liam saw her.
Really saw her.
The scar.
Right eye.
Cold expression.
Composed.
Untouchable.
And yet.
"…Oh."
A quiet breath.
"My."
A small step forward.
"Beautiful…"
Silence filled the room.
Kane's expression darkened instantly.
"…Don't finish that sentence."
Mostang smirked slightly behind Liam.
Emma didn't react.
Not even a blink.
Liam stopped.
Still staring at her.
Not in a disrespectful way.
More like…
he found something interesting.
"…So you're the emperor."
Emma leaned back slightly.
Still looking at him.
"Yes."
Simple.
Cold.
A pause.
"State your purpose."
Liam finally looked away for a second.
Then back at her.
"I met Joseph."
The room changed.
Just slightly.
Kane's stance tightened.
Mostang's eyes narrowed.
Emma?
Still the same.
"…And?"
Liam slid his hands into his pockets.
"He wants me."
A small shrug.
"But I don't pick sides blindly."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"So I came to see you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Kane stepped a little closer.
"You think this is some kind of game?"
Liam didn't even look at him.
"It is."
That answer.
dangerous.
Mostang chuckled under his breath.
"…I like him."
Kane shot him a look.
Emma raised her hand slightly.
Kane stopped.
Her eyes never left Liam.
"…You came here."
"…into my territory."
"…after meeting my enemy."
A small pause.
"And you expect to walk out?"
Liam smiled faintly.
"I expect nothing."
A beat.
"I'm just… curious."
Emma's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…About what."
Liam tilted his head.
"Which side is worth it."
Silence again.
Then.
Emma stood up.
Slowly.
Her presence alone.
shifted the air.
She walked toward him.
Step by step.
Kane tensed.
Mostang watched quietly.
Emma stopped right in front of Liam.
Close.
Face to face.
Her eyes.
cold.
Deep.
Unreadable.
"…Then look properly."
A pause.
"Because once you choose."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"you don't get to change."
Liam didn't step back.
Didn't flinch.
"…Good."
A faint smile.
"I hate boring paths anyway."
Kane clenched his jaw.
Mostang exhaled smoke.
And Emma.
just kept staring at him.
She didn't step back.
Didn't soften.
Her eyes stayed locked on him.
Cold.
Sharp.
"…Now what do you want."
A pause.
"And who do you think you are?"
Silence.
Kane folded his arms.
Clearly annoyed.
"Yeah."
"Answer that."
Mostang leaned on the wall.
Smoking.
Watching like it's entertainment.
Liam let out a quiet breath.
Not intimidated.
Not rushed.
"…What I want?"
He glanced around the room once.
Then back at her.
"Nothing complicated."
A small pause.
"I want to see how far this goes."
Kane scoffed.
"Then go watch from a distance."
Liam ignored him again.
Eyes still on Emma.
"As for who I am…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Just someone who doesn't follow."
A faint smirk.
"Not you."
"Not Joseph."
Mostang chuckled.
"…Bold."
Emma's expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
"…So you're useless."
Blunt.
Liam didn't react negatively.
If anything.
he seemed more interested.
"Or valuable."
A beat.
"Depends if you know how to use people."
Kane stepped forward this time.
"Watch your mouth."
Emma raised her hand again.
Stopping him.
Her gaze sharpened just a little.
"…You talk like you have value."
A pause.
"Prove it."
Liam smiled slightly.
"I already did."
That caught attention.
Mostang raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Liam slipped one hand out of his pocket.
"I walked into your building."
"After meeting your enemy."
A small pause.
"And I'm still standing."
Silence.
Kane looked like he wanted to punch him.
Mostang exhaled smoke slowly.
"…He's got a point."
Emma stared at him.
Longer this time.
Analyzing.
Measuring.
Then.
"…You're not loyal."
Liam nodded.
"Correct."
"…You're not afraid."
"Correct."
"…And you're not stupid."
A faint smile.
"I try not to be."
A pause.
Emma turned slightly.
Walking past him.
"…Stay."
Kane blinked.
"…What?"
Mostang smirked.
"I knew it."
Emma stopped near her desk.
Without looking back.
"For now."
A small pause.
"You'll be watched."
Her voice turned colder.
"One wrong move."
She didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
Liam understood.
"…Fair."
Kane shook his head.
"This is a bad idea."
Mostang shrugged.
"Or a very fun one."
Emma sat back down.
Her eyes flicked once.
back to Liam.
Still unreadable.
"…We'll see what you really are."
Liam didn't stay long.
He turned slightly, hands in his pockets again.
"…I'll be heading out."
Kane frowned.
"Already?"
Mostang glanced at him.
"…He's not ours."
Emma didn't stop him.
Didn't even look at him this time.
"…Go."
Liam walked out calmly.
Guards watched him the entire way.
Mostang followed halfway.
just to make sure.
Once outside.
The air felt different.
Liam exhaled.
"…Interesting."
And then.
he left.
Back to Joseph's side.
The door opened.
Anthony looked up first.
"…You came back."
Maya immediately stood up.
Walking toward him with a grin.
"Told you he would."
Liam ignored her again.
"…Where's Joseph?"
Leo adjusted his glasses.
"He stepped out."
Marcus leaned back.
"So talk to us."
A pause.
Liam stood there.
Calm.
"…What's the plan?"
They all looked at each other.
Then—
Anthony spoke.
"We hit her base."
Leo continued.
"Disable everything."
"Power. Cameras. Security systems."
Maya smirked.
"Force them out."
Marcus added.
"And when they're exposed…"
Elena finished softly.
"…We strike from behind."
Silence.
Liam processed it.
No reaction on his face.
"…Hm."
A small nod.
"I see."
Maya stepped closer again.
Too close.
"So?"
"You in?"
Liam glanced at her.
then away.
"…Maybe."
Anthony narrowed his eyes.
"You're playing both sides."
Liam looked back at him.
"I'm playing the interesting side."
Leo pushed his glasses up.
"…And which one is that?"
A small pause.
Liam smirked faintly.
"…The one that doesn't lose."
Late night.
The city was quiet.
Too quiet.
Liam sneaked out while they're sleeping.
He moved through the streets like a shadow.
No noise.
No hesitation.
Emma's building stood tall.
Untouchable.
The guards noticed him immediately.
Guns raised.
"Stop."
Liam didn't even flinch.
"I'm here to see her."
They exchanged looks.
Uncertain.
"…Orders were given."
One of them muttered.
Reluctantly—
they stepped aside.
Liam walked in.
Inside.
everything was silent.
Mostang and Kane were asleep somewhere deeper inside the building.
No movement.
No sound.
Only one light was on.
Emma's office.
He walked toward it.
Slow.
Controlled.
The door opened.
She was there.
Sitting.
Working.
Emma didn't look surprised.
Not even slightly.
"…You came back."
Liam stepped in.
Closed the door behind him.
"…Yeah."
Silence filled the room.
Her eyes lifted.
Met his.
"…Speak."
Liam exhaled lightly.
"They're planning an attack."
Emma didn't move.
"Power cut."
"Cameras down."
"Force everyone out."
A pause.
"…Then they strike from behind."
Still.
no reaction.
"…When?"
Emma said.
"In a few days."
Liam said.
Silence again.
Heavy.
Emma leaned back slightly.
Processing.
Already thinking ahead.
"…I see."
That's all she said.
But Liam.
wasn't looking at anything else.
Only her.
His eyes stayed on her face.
Locked.
Unmoving.
There was something different in them.
Not just curiosity anymore.
Something deeper.
Emma noticed.
Of course she did.
"…Why are you staring?"
Liam didn't answer immediately.
A step closer.
"…You know why."
Her expression didn't change.
"…No. I don't."
A small pause.
"…You're… different."
Emma's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Different how?"
Liam tilted his head a bit.
Still staring.
"…I've seen a lot of people."
"Dangerous ones."
"Beautiful ones."
A breath.
"…But not both."
Silence.
Emma didn't react.
Not visibly.
"…If you're done talking nonsense—"
"I'm not."
He cut her off.
Calm.
"…I chose a side."
That made her pause.
Just slightly.
"…And?"
Liam's eyes didn't leave hers.
"…It's yours."
Silence.
The air shifted.
Not loyalty.
Not fully.
Something else.
Emma stood up slowly.
Walked toward him.
Stopped right in front of him.
Their eyes met.
Closer now.
"…You were with them."
Emma said calmly
"…I still am."
Liam said.
"…Yet you came here."
Emma said.
"…I did."
Liam said.
A pause.
Emma's voice dropped slightly.
Colder.
Sharper.
"…Why?"
Liam didn't hesitate this time.
"…Because I don't want you to lose."
Silence.
Not admiration.
Not obsession spoken loudly.
But it was there.
Clear.
Emma stared at him for a moment longer.
Reading him.
Breaking him down.
Then.
she turned away.
"…Leave."
No emotion.
"…If they find out, you're dead."
Liam smirked faintly.
"…Then don't let them find out."
Emma didn't respond.
He walked to the door.
Stopped for a second.
"…Prepare."
And then.
he left.
The door closed.
Emma stood there.
Silent.
Thinking.
"…From behind…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Let them try."
-----
Early morning.
The room was filled with low voices.
Plans.
Routes.
Timings.
Leo was speaking.
"…If we cut the grid here, it affects three blocks at once."
Marcus leaned forward.
"And forces them to evacuate faster."
Maya stretched lazily on the couch.
"Then we hunt them."
Elena sat quietly.
Listening.
Liam was there too.
Sitting back.
Silent.
Then.
the door opened.
Joseph entered.
The room shifted instantly.
Everyone straightened.
"…Morning."
He walked in slowly.
Eyes scanning everyone.
Then.
they stopped on Liam for a brief second.
"…Good. You're all here."
He stepped forward.
Hands behind his back.
"Our target…"
A small pause.
"…Emma Elarat."
Liam didn't move.
Didn't react.
Joseph continued.
"She built herself an image."
"A savior."
"An emperor."
A faint smirk.
"…But in reality?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"She's just a girl who got lucky."
Silence.
Maya chuckled softly.
Anthony smirked.
"…Overrated."
Joseph added.
That word.
Something in Liam shifted.
Subtle.
But dangerous.
His fingers twitched slightly.
Joseph kept going.
Unaware.
"She needed a team to defeat my grandfather."
"And now she stands alone?"
A quiet laugh.
"…Pathetic."
Liam's jaw tightened.
His hand slowly clenched.
Knuckles whitening.
Just one punch.
That's all it would take.
Right now.
But.
he stayed still.
Barely.
Leo noticed.
A slight glance.
"…Something wrong?"
Liam leaned back slightly.
Forcing himself to relax.
"…No."
Joseph looked at him again.
Studying.
"…You've seen her."
A pause.
"Tell me."
The room went quiet.
"…Is she really worth all this?"
Silence.
Everyone watching him now.
Liam's mind flashed.
Her standing.
Her eyes.
That scar.
That presence.
"…Yeah."
A simple answer.
Joseph raised an eyebrow.
"…Yeah?"
Liam met his gaze.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…She's not someone you underestimate."
A pause.
"…Good."
Joseph smiled slightly.
"Then crushing her will mean more."
That.
That almost broke him.
Liam's grip tightened again.
Harder this time.
But he didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Joseph turned away.
Continuing like nothing happened.
"Prepare."
"Everything moves soon."
The meeting resumed.
But Liam.
Stayed silent.
Eyes lowered.
Holding it in.
Just barely.
"…Not yet."
Chapter end