After returning to the office, Lilith handled several urgent documents. Her plan was to report everything to her boss before the end of the day and formally apologize. But at 5 p.m., she received a call from the president's office.
"Kosen owed us twenty million, didn't he? Why is he offering twenty-five?" Seraphina's cool, emotionless voice came through the line. Even when faced with such unexpectedly good news, her tone remained composed and devoid of emotion.
"Twenty-five million?" Lilith echoed in confusion. "According to the contract, Kosen only owed us a balance of twenty million. Even if we factor in all the losses from the past six months, the most he'd owe is twenty-point-eight million."
That was Kosen's official explanation—but privately, Lilith was completely stunned. She couldn't put her feelings into words.
Kosen, voluntarily paying up? Impossible. Judging by Liuly's attitude, he was dead set on defaulting. Let alone repaying of his own volition—tracking him down daily might not even have gotten the debt back.
So what had changed?
Lilith fell deep into thought.
"I'll handle this myself. You don't need to get involved anymore." Seraphina finished, then hung up with the same crisp decisiveness she always did.
Staring at her phone, Lilith's beautiful, composed face was filled with disbelief. She tried to recall every detail of her negotiation with Liuly.
"What went wrong? Why would Kosen suddenly pay up? He's no fool. Why overcomplicate a simple matter?"
Lilith, with her sharp mind, dissected every suspicious point. Eventually, she boldly narrowed her focus on one name:
Lucian?
If not him, then who else could have made Kosen change his mind?
She picked up the phone.
"Come in."
"Yes, Director Lilith."
Her assistant entered the room and was surprised to find the usually calm and poised Lilith looking visibly conflicted.
"Director, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine." Lilith shook her head softly. "Bring me the full employee list and detailed background info of the security department. And don't let anyone know about this."
"Yes, ma'am." The assistant didn't ask questions and immediately went to carry out the task.
Half an hour later, she returned with the personnel files from the security department—including the one that interested Lilith most: Lucian's.
"Lucian. Solviva City. Age twenty-five. Attended Third Primary School. Solviva No.1 High School…"
As she scanned his brief profile, Lilith's heartbeat quickened.
"Joined the army after graduating high school…"
That simple line shattered her composed exterior.
It's him.
The Lucian she saw earlier that day—the one who looked so different after all these years—was him.
Seven years.
It had been seven years since she last saw him.
Yes, Lilith and Lucian had once been classmates—she'd even sat right behind him. If she hadn't suddenly dropped out, she was sure that brilliant young man would've made it into the top university.
In fact, Lilith, who was a grade above Lucian, shouldn't have even been in the same class. But after an unusually high score in the college entrance exam, she had voluntarily repeated a year—just so she could attend school with the most talked-about student at Solviva No.1.
Lucian. The rebellious genius, admired by countless girls.
Lilith had been one of them. Just one of many, utterly unremarkable.
Back then, she wore the most ordinary school uniform, had no fashion sense, and never stood out. Despite her natural beauty, she rarely drew attention—especially not in the elite experimental Class 3, where academic stars were clustered together.
She had silently watched Lucian from behind, feeling anxious when he skipped class, thrilled when he ranked first in the grade. A few times, she even slipped fruit or milk into his desk drawer, acting like a thief afraid of getting caught. Yet watching him munch on her secretly gifted snacks always made her heart flutter.
That was Lilith, the schoolgirl.
And Lucian, the untouchable figure of her youth.
Their lives never crossed paths, even sitting just a seat apart. They were worlds apart. Back then, her biggest dream was to attend the same university as Lucian. That dream was the only reason she had repeated a year.
She liked him.
She liked his intelligence, his sense of justice. She loved watching him on the basketball court, admired the way he shone when speaking in class. Even when caught sleeping by teachers, he'd always laugh it off with wit, easily solving problems that stumped the rest of the class.
They might never have interacted—if not for the time she was harassed by a few delinquents and Lucian happened to intervene.
She once thought of confessing. But she didn't dare. She was insecure. How could a repeat student like her possibly measure up to someone like him? The girls around Lucian were either top-ranking scholars or campus beauties.
When she heard Lucian had been forced to drop out, she was crushed. Her entrance exam performance suffered. Though she still made it into Solviva Financial University, a top school by national standards, it was a disappointment for someone of her caliber.
Over the years, she'd had no shortage of suitors—wealthy, handsome, well-connected. But none of them moved her. Her parents had gently urged her to settle down. She always declined, citing work as an excuse.
It wasn't that she didn't get lonely. She did. It wasn't that she didn't want love. She did.
But her heart had long been occupied—by someone no one else could compare to.
And today, she had finally seen him again.
Lucian. Seven years later, standing before her… as a subordinate.
He was no longer as dazzling, no longer had the sharp edges of youth. But his eyes, his smile—still made her heart race.
And yet… what confused her most was—
How had someone once admired by even the principal… ended up working as a security guard?
What had he been through all these years?
...
Security Department Break Room
While Victor rambled on about how terrifying Zoe was, Lucian casually replied, "Don't worry. I've got your back. You just sit back and enjoy the show."
"Says who?" Victor scoffed. "You think just having someone in your corner means you can rule the whole security department?"
"I'm not leaning on any connections." Lucian flicked his cigarette expertly. "Haven't you noticed something different about Zoe's attitude toward me lately?"
"Different how?" Victor asked curiously.
"If I'm not mistaken…" Lucian paused, his expression suddenly turning serious. "She might be falling for me."
"Get the hell outta here!" Victor barked. "Zoe can't even be sure of her own gender—fall for you? Please. You're not just delusional, you're clinically insane. Want me to recommend a specialist?"
Victor was still ranting when he noticed Lucian's frantic winking.
"What? Cat got your tongue?"
"Zoe's right behind you," Lucian muttered calmly.
Victor froze. His expression twitched, and the twitch quickly spread across his whole face like a virus.
Snap.
In one fluid motion, Victor turned, saluted, and stood at attention like a soldier, sweat pouring down his face. "Captain Zoe…"
"Go on," Zoe said with a terrifyingly calm smile.
Victor clamped his mouth shut, shaking his head.
"Fine, I'll talk." Zoe shot him a frosty glare. "Meet me at the gym after work."
Victor nearly fainted.
"Oh, and—Lilith from Finance wants to see you both," Zoe added with a final glare at Lucian before walking off.
"We're doomed," Victor groaned. "She heard everything. I need to start packing."
"Such a coward." Lucian lit another cigarette, lounging back. "You forget who we've got in our corner now? You think a mere security captain can fire us just like that?"
"In our corner?" Victor perked up. "Who?"
"Didn't you hear her say who's looking for us?" Lucian rolled his eyes. "Lilith. Chief Financial Officer of Kynix!"
Victor's eyes lit up like stars. "If Lilith's on our side, we're untouchable!"
"Exactly." Lucian patted him on the shoulder. "Zoe might be tough, but even she wouldn't mess with someone like Lilith."
Victor stood tall again, like he'd just survived a war. "Let's go. Time to see Lilith."
...
In Kynix, Lilith's authority and influence were second only to the founder, Seraphina. She was the quintessential second-in-command, yet completely different in temperament from the icy president. Lilith was gentle, elegant, and far more approachable.
While Seraphina had long since placed the company's IPO in her hands, Lilith had proven herself worthy of such trust. Under the joint leadership of these two formidable women—one fierce, one graceful—Kynix was set to become the benchmark of entrepreneurial success in Solviva within three years.
"What are you standing there for?" Lucian nudged the dazed Victor. "It's almost quitting time. Let's go."
Snapping out of it, Victor straightened his clothes and knocked on the door.
"Come in," came Lilith's soft, calm voice from within.
It wasn't overbearing—but with her high position, it was enough to make an ordinary guy like Victor nervous as hell.
Click.
Victor stepped inside, posture straight, eyes down. He dared not glance around.
Lucian followed behind him at a leisurely pace. His actions were respectful, but his attitude was relaxed—almost casual—forming a stark contrast with the stiff and anxious Victor.
"No need to be so tense. Have a seat." Lilith rose, her gaze quietly landing on Lucian before she asked gently, "Coffee or tea?"
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary, Director Lilith," Victor replied, his voice a little too tight.
"I didn't really do much. Recovering the payment was all thanks to you," Victor said modestly. He had no desire to take credit—just getting his face known by Lilith was enough. With a well-off family and a life already heading down a path of comfortable idleness, Victor had little ambition beyond enjoying what fate had given him.
"That won't do," Lilith replied with a gentle smile. "At Kynix, rewards and penalties must be clear. That's how we keep morale high. As a reward, you both can collect a 10,000 bonus from the finance department."
Victor and Lucian suddenly felt the rare happiness of simply existing in this world. "Thank you, Director Lilith!" they said in unison.
Lilith glanced at Lucian, then said softly, "Alright, it's about time. You two can clock out for the day."
With a nod, Lucian and Victor turned and exited the office.
Moments later, they had clocked out.
...
Outside the Kynix building, Lilith spotted Lucian waiting near the entrance. She walked over and said, "Lucian, still here?"
Lucian smiled, "Just about to leave. Something wrong?"
Lilith's cheeks reddened slightly. "About what happened at the bar—thank you. Come on, dinner's on me."
Lucian didn't argue. He grinned and replied, "Hard to say no when a beautiful woman offers. Turning it down would be bad manners."
He hopped into Lilith's luxury car, and before long, they arrived at their destination. Lucian looked ahead and saw the towering silhouette of a massive cruise ship, nearly thirty meters high. He whistled in awe.
"Now that's a floating palace."
The Solviva I boasted eight luxurious floors. In addition to offering gourmet dining, it featured a floating bar, KTV lounges, and even circus performances—all complimentary. Compared to most commercial entertainment complexes, this ship offered pleasures tenfold. Of course, such opulence came with a price: a single ticket cost 20,000, and most activities onboard required additional fees. Just setting foot on the ship with any sense of dignity required at least a few hundred grand in your pocket.
From afar, the Solviva I glittered like a beacon on the water, its lights dazzling. Laughter drifted from the upper decks, cheerful and wanton, like some devilish temptation tugging at the pride of ordinary passersby.
By 7 p.m., night had fully fallen. One luxury car after another rolled into the reserved parking area. Well-dressed men and elegant women stepped out, faces glowing with anticipation, striding toward a ship that most people didn't even dare dream of boarding—off to live their lavish, intoxicating nightlife.
Lucian stepped out of the car and lit a cigarette, watching the wealthy guests board the ship. His gaze was calm, almost indifferent. There was no envy in his eyes—certainly no resentment. At most, one might find a trace of numbness beneath the surface.
He didn't resent the rich, nor did he think of himself as some tragic savior. He had simply seen the other side of the world—the parts steeped in despair and ruin. While some wasted their nights in indulgent luxury, others struggled just to survive one more day. That was life. Some lived in heaven, while many more sank into hell.
Lucian had been to hell. That gave him more right than most to speak. It was why he never hesitated to send money to the old dean, quietly supporting him. In the past, Lucian didn't think the dean's efforts were particularly noble. During a rebellious phase, he even found amusement in provoking him. But now, he saw the old man as the most admirable person in the world.
Lilith had stepped out of the car at some point and was quietly watching him from the side. Compared to the radiant luxury of the cruise ship, Lucian—with his simple clothes and air of weariness—looked completely out of place.
Her heart ached at the sight. There was sympathy, but more than that, there was a yearning—a desire to understand his past, to pull him back to his former brilliance, to see him once again stand proud and full of life.
"Director Lilith."
His low voice pulled her back to the present. It was soft, almost humble. She looked up and met his eyes—eyes that held a subtle distance.
It was a look she knew well. Her own eyes often bore the same polite, impersonal calm—a barrier honed over years in the corporate world. But the distance in Lucian's gaze was different. It wasn't pride or professionalism—it was quiet resignation. A kind of humility that hurt more than it flattered.
The night was beautiful. Stars shimmered above them. It was the kind of scene that belonged in a movie. The river breeze brushed against them gently, yet Lilith's body was stiff with tension, her palms damp with sweat. Even her gaze, usually so composed, faltered as it met Lucian's.
Lucian, on the other hand, looked utterly relaxed. He grinned and said plainly, "I don't have enough money for a ticket."
Twenty grand for entry—it wasn't a small sum.
He said it lightly, with no trace of shame. That only made Lilith's heart sink further. In her eyes, only two kinds of men could disregard pride and dignity so freely: the foolish and the broken. Most men, even the latter, would still try to preserve some face.
But Lucian didn't even pretend to care. He told the truth and smiled like it was nothing.
Lilith tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then smiled gently. "Let's go up."
Lucian gave a small nod and followed her onto the extravagant Solviva I. He said nothing, but Lilith noticed it immediately—his pace was just a half-step behind hers. Was it respect, or a habit formed from being constantly forced to stand a little lower?
Lucian had expected dinner to be held in one of the ship's grand seafood restaurants, but as they entered the first floor, a sharply dressed lobby manager approached them with a bow.
"Director Lilith, your table is ready. Would you prefer to dine immediately or enjoy some entertainment first?"
Lilith turned to Lucian. "Are you hungry?"
Lucian nodded. "Yeah. I didn't eat much this afternoon."
"Then let's eat first," Lilith said.
The manager led them straight to the third floor.
The second floor was buzzing with circus performances and sultry dance shows—free entertainment for all guests, designed to justify the high ticket price. The third floor, by contrast, was more refined and serene. Though it occupied the same area as the floors below, it seated far fewer guests. The cuisine spanned the globe, tailored to every conceivable taste. While the first floor specialized in air-flown seafood, the third housed world-class chefs ready to prepare anything a guest could desire. If you could imagine it, they could serve it.