Another place, the secret base of Vex. In a dark room, a giant 3D hologram screen hung in mid-air, playing back the entire content of the message Layla had just sent. On the swivel chair, Damien leaned back, his eyes cold and a little warm when he saw the name "Layla" appear on the screen.
Rayden (surprised, looked over):
"He is cooperating with the hacker without knowing… it's you."
Damien (slightly curled his lips, deep voice):
"That's right. But she will never suspect. Let Layla believe that there is an anonymous fan helping… that way, she will be braver."
Lucas stood next to him, arms crossed, eyes looking at Layla who was engrossed in her phone screen.
Lucas:
"Damien… are you really going to let her go alone? This is Vex. It's not that simple."
Damien (squinting, looking at Layla's silhouette on the screen):
"I won't leave her alone. It's just that Layla doesn't need to know yet. When she falls, I'll be the one to catch her."
The hologram light reflected on Damien's face, half-light and half-dark like the secret he was hiding.
Layla sat huddled in a corner, her phone screen lit up with a new message. She opened it, her heart pounding.
Hacker (text):
"I've detected part of the coordinates related to the Vex. A hidden facility located on the edge of the city, in the basement of an abandoned industrial area. But the data is only half, not complete. You need to be careful."
Layla read it over and over, her eyes wide. She whispered:
Layla (in her heart):
"… So fast? Just asking once… and already got the data? Who is this person…"
A moment of doubt flashed through her mind, but then Layla clenched her phone tightly. Her eyes shone with a mixture of trust and hope.
Layla (thinking to herself):
"Maybe… it's just a good hacker. If Jen and Li are really there, I can't wait any longer."
She scrolled through the schedule on the tablet the manager left behind. Luckily, BABYQUEEN only had a light practice schedule this afternoon, not requiring the presence of all members. If she was clever, she could disappear for a few hours without anyone noticing.
Layla lifted her head slightly and looked around the room. Serena and Sara were still chatting in low voices. Jen and Li, the fake ones, were sitting still like wax statues. No one paid any attention to her. She pursed her lips, her eyes shining with determination:
Layla (in her heart):
"This afternoon… if I have the chance, I will go there. Even if I am alone, I must find the truth. Jen, Li… wait for me."
---
The hologram screen flashed again, displaying the message Layla had just read. Damien stood still, his hands in his pockets, his eyes following Layla's silhouette in the hidden camera. Astrix glanced at him, frowning slightly.
Lucas:
"You just sent her information. Half the truth. You are putting Layla in danger, Damien."
Damien (in a low, calm voice):
"Let her think she is getting closer. Faith will make Layla stronger than any protection. And… I will always be behind her, when she falls."
Rayden chuckled, half teasing and half worried:
"Are you sure? Once she's made up her mind, no one can stop her. She might even walk right into a trap."
Damien didn't reply, just looked at the hologram where Layla was sitting alone, his eyes shining with determination. A sad smile appeared on his face:
Damien (whispering, almost to himself):
"… If you really want to face the darkness, Layla… then let me be the one to walk inside it with you."
His figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind a growl, the sound of fists clashing in the white snow.
Aurora's footsteps echoed in the cold cave, her rapid breathing mixed with the hazy white air. She only saw Li Xia's silhouette appearing and disappearing in front of her.
Suddenly, Li Xia turned around, throwing the snow fox hard onto the cold ice floor.
Aurora (panic-screaming, eyes wide open):
"Don't!!!"
She didn't have time to think, immediately rushed over, knelt down and hugged the trembling little fox, her trembling hands pressed against the blood-stained fur.
Aurora (choking, voice lost):
"It's okay... it's okay, little one... I'm here..."
At that moment, a wooden stick struck hard from behind.
"BAM!!!"
Aurora was stunned, her eyes wide open for a moment, then her whole body collapsed. Before losing consciousness, her hands still instinctively held the snow fox tightly, not letting go.
The one who had done it was Min Qian. A vicious smile flashed across the corner of her lips.
"This piece of trash dares to block our way…"
But before she could finish her sentence, a slap like a thunderbolt landed on Min Qian's face.
"SNAP!!!"
The loud sound echoed in the cave, blood flowed from the corner of Min Qian's lips, her head tilted to the side.
Blacke stood tall in front of her, his blue eyes cold as ice, murderous intent surging.
Blacke (groaning, low voice):
"Touch her one more time… you won't have a chance to breathe."
Without further ado, Blacke bent down, scooping Aurora into his arms. He glanced down at the unconscious Aurora, but her slender arms still held the weak snow fox tightly, as if she was the only one left in the world.
Blacke's heart ached, his eyes darkened, then he clenched his jaw, turned around and walked out of the cave, not bothering to look back at Min Qian and Li Xia.
Outside, the sound of fists rang out. Easton, Knox, and Zane were throwing vicious punches, forcing F3 (Jenden, Liam, Marcus) into a suffocating position. Blood oozed from the corner of Jenden's mouth, Liam staggered and held his stomach, Marcus fell to his knees on the snow, his nose dripping with bright red blood.
Knox adjusted his collar, his voice contemptuous, as he kicked Liam down:
"You came up with such a cheap plan?"
Easton (wiping the blood from his hand, his voice cold):
"Next time you want to play, prepare better."
Zane (smirking, leaning closer to Jenden):
"If you touch her again... the price won't just be blood."
The three of them turned away at the same time, leaving F3 groaning on the snow, staggering and unable to recover.
At the same time, Blacke came out of the cave holding Aurora. Seeing the girl in his arms, all of F4's faces darkened, their eyes flashing with absolute protection.
No one said another word.
They quickly got into the car. The Rolls Royce door closed, the engine roared softly, the wheels crushed the thick layer of snow, leaving behind the vicious and angry eyes of Min Qian, Li Xia and F3 trembling.
In the car, Aurora was still unconscious, but her weak hands still tightly held the little snow fox.
"So stubborn…" Blacke muttered softly, gently squeezing the girl in his arms, his eyes flashing with a gentle light.