Alex sat in the back seat of his black car, staring out at the blurred Manhattan lights.
But his mind wasn't on the city.
It was on her.
Those eyes.
Deep. Calm. Unafraid.
The same eyes he had seen behind the café counter.
The same eyes he had seen in the darkness tonight.
Victor glanced at him from the front seat.
"You're unusually quiet."
Alex leaned back slightly.
"The person at the warehouse… it was a girl."
Victor frowned.
"A girl?"
"Yes."
"And?"
Alex looked out the window again.
"For a second… I thought it was Ivy."
Victor chuckled lightly.
"The café owner?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible," Victor said. "The background check came out completely clean."
Alex didn't respond.
Because the image wouldn't leave his head.
The way she moved.
The way she fought.
The way she ran.
None of it matched the profile of a simple café owner.
"Drive to the café," Alex suddenly said.
Victor looked confused.
"Right now?"
"Yes."
The small café looked peaceful as ever. Warm lights glowed through the windows, and the faint smell of coffee filled the air.
Inside, Ivy stood behind the counter, wiping a cup. Completely normal. Completely calm. Just like always.
Alex walked in. The bell above the door rang softly. Ivy looked up. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Her expression stayed neutral. But Alex was watching closely.
Very closely.
He sat down at the same corner table as last time.
"Coffee?" Ivy asked. Her voice was steady. No nervousness. No hesitation.
"Black," Alex replied.
She turned and started preparing it. Alex observed every movement. Smooth. Controlled. Not clumsy like most civilians. His suspicion grew. When she brought the coffee over, he spoke casually.
"Busy night yesterday?"
Ivy raised an eyebrow.
"Not really."
Alex tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"You sure?"
"Pretty sure." She tilted her head slightly.
"Why?"
Alex held her gaze.
"I heard there was some… activity near the warehouse district."
For a brief second—
Just a fraction of a second—
Something flickered in her eyes.
Then it was gone.
"Oh?" she said calmly.
"Manhattan always has activity somewhere."
Alex smirked slightly.
She was good.
Very good.
Too good.
After Alex left, Ivy continued cleaning the counter. But her mind was racing. He suspects something. She had noticed the way he watched her. The way he tested her.
The questions.
He wasn't a normal customer. Not even close.
And the way he moved…
She had seen men like him before. Men from the underground world. Dangerous men.
Outside, Alex stood beside his car. Victor walked up to him. "So?" Victor asked. What do you think?"
Alex looked back at the café window. Inside, Ivy was serving another customer. Smiling politely. Looking completely ordinary. But Alex knew better. "She's hiding something." Victor crossed his arms.
"You think she's connected to the warehouse incident?"
Alex opened the car door slowly.
"I don't think."
He paused.
Then said quietly,
"I know."
Victor looked surprised.
"What do you want to do?"
Alex got inside the car.
For the first time that night, a dangerous smile appeared on his face.
"Keep watching her."
Victor nodded.
"And if she really is involved?"
Alex looked back at the café one last time. His eyes darkened.
"Then this just got interesting."
Inside the café, Ivy suddenly felt a strange chill.
As if someone had just declared war without saying a word.
And she didn't know it yet.
But the most dangerous man in Manhattan…
Had just made her his next mystery.