The question about "WH7" lingered in the air even after breakfast, settling into their minds like an unfinished puzzle that refused to be ignored. The dining table was still cluttered with empty plates—evidence of Alina's impressive appetite—while Ryan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching Kai with a thoughtful expression.
Alina wiped her hands and leaned forward slightly, her curiosity returning in full force. "So what do you think WH7 is about?" she asked, looking between both of them.
Ryan didn't even hesitate. "Isn't it obvious? Warehouse Seven," he said casually, as if he had already solved the mystery.
Alina turned her head toward him slowly, her expression somewhere between disbelief and judgment. "That's it? That's your brilliant deduction?"
Ryan shrugged. "It fits. W for warehouse. H could be… something extra. Maybe a code. Seven is probably the unit."
Kai, who had been quietly observing both of them, finally spoke. His tone was calm but thoughtful, as always. "It can be that," he said, "but we shouldn't limit ourselves to the most obvious answer."
Alina immediately nodded, supporting him. "Exactly. It could mean anything. What if it's not even a place?"
Ryan sighed dramatically and pushed himself up from the chair. "Fine. I'll get into it properly," he said, pulling out his phone as if preparing to call someone.
Before he could dial, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered immediately. "Yeah… okay… tell me."
Both Kai and Alina watched him closely as his expression slowly shifted from casual to serious. When the call ended, Ryan lowered his phone and looked at them.
"Remember when you said the CCTV footage might have been edited?" he said, looking directly at Alina.
She nodded instantly. "Yeah."
"You were right," Ryan continued. "I had it checked by someone who knows what they're doing. The footage was edited perfectly. If a normal person watches it, they won't notice anything. But a professional can tell."
Alina leaned forward. "So there's really no footage of Maya leaving?"
Ryan shook his head. "None. She never walked out of that building."
A silence followed as the weight of that statement settled in. Kai leaned back slightly, his mind already moving ahead. "Then they didn't use public transport," he said calmly. "Too risky. Too many cameras."
Ryan nodded slowly. "That makes sense."
"It could be anything," Kai continued. "A private vehicle, a private jet, even sea transport. Whoever did this planned everything carefully. They wouldn't leave anything to chance."
Alina exhaled softly. "So we're dealing with someone powerful."
Kai didn't respond, but his silence said enough. Ryan picked up his laptop. "I'll check all possible routes," he said. "Air, sea, everything."
Kai stood up. "Let's move," he said simply.
Alina quickly gathered a few things. "You guys go, I'll pack coffee for us."
Ryan nodded and walked out toward the car. "We'll wait."
Kai followed her into the kitchen but didn't leave. Instead, he quietly picked up another glass and started helping her. Alina glanced at him. "You didn't go?"
"You'll take longer alone," he replied simply.
She rolled her eyes slightly but didn't argue. They worked side by side, the small kitchen filled with the soft sounds of pouring, stirring, and clinking ice. Kai handled the blender while Alina prepared the glasses. At one point, she reached for something and almost slipped on a small drop of water near the counter, but before she could lose her balance, Kai's hand lightly steadied her arm.
"Careful," he said quietly.
"I'm fine," she replied, though her voice softened a little.
He didn't comment further, but he stayed closer after that, as if making sure she wouldn't slip again. A few minutes later, they walked out together. Ryan was already in the car, sitting in the back seat with his laptop open. Alina took the front passenger seat beside Kai, while Ryan remained behind him.
As soon as the car started moving, Ryan continued working, his focus completely on the screen. "It's quite far," he said. "It'll take a few hours."
Alina took a sip of her cold coffee, relaxing into her seat. Kai drove steadily, his hands firm on the wheel, his expression calm. But something subtle changed.
Every time a speed breaker approached, he slowed the car down gently. Not abruptly. Not noticeably enough for most people to question. Just enough to make sure the movement wouldn't disturb her while she was drinking. Alina didn't notice. Ryan did.
Ryan's eyes lifted from the laptop for a moment, watching the reflection in the rearview mirror. He noticed how Kai's gaze briefly flickered toward Alina's cup before every bump in the road, how his grip on the steering wheel adjusted slightly, how the car's movement softened without explanation.
Ryan leaned back slowly, a faint smirk forming on his lips. Interesting. A few minutes later, Alina finished her coffee and placed the empty cup aside. Ryan, now feeling thirsty, picked up a water bottle from beside him. He twisted the cap open and raised it casually to drink.
At the exact same moment, the car passed over a speed breaker. Except this time— Kai didn't slow down. The car jolted. Water splashed forward dramatically, spilling all over Ryan's shirt and face. He choked mid-sip, coughing as droplets sprayed everywhere.
"KAI!" he shouted, wiping his face with complete disbelief.
Kai glanced at him through the mirror, completely calm. "Yeah?"
"See what you've done!" Ryan snapped, gesturing at his soaked clothes.
Kai raised an eyebrow slightly. "You shouldn't drink when the car is moving fast," he said. "It's your fault."
Ryan stared at him in silence for a few seconds, processing the audacity of that statement. Then his eyes slowly shifted toward Alina. She was sitting perfectly fine, completely dry, adjusting her sleeve as if nothing had happened. Ryan's expression turned into pure realization.
"Oh," he said slowly. "So that's how it is."
Kai didn't respond. Ryan leaned back, crossing his arms again, still wet but now far more amused than annoyed.
"For her," he continued, gesturing toward Alina, "you slow down like the road is made of glass."
Alina blinked. "What?"
Ryan pointed at Kai. "For me? Sudden earthquake."
Kai kept his eyes on the road. "You talk too much."
Ryan laughed softly, shaking his head. "No, no. This is very educational. I'm learning a lot today."
Alina frowned slightly, looking between both of them. "What are you even talking about?"
Ryan leaned forward just enough to meet her eyes through the mirror. "I'm talking about," he said, his voice filled with amusement, "how differently your dear 'friend' treats you."
Kai's grip on the steering wheel tightened just slightly. "Drink your water properly next time," he said flatly.
Ryan smiled. "Oh, I will," he replied. "But maybe I should wait until the car slows down… for safety reasons."
Alina still looked confused, but a small smile appeared on her lips anyway. And Kai— He didn't say anything. But the silence, once again, said everything.
****
Kevin was not the kind of man who overlooked details. He was the kind who *lived* inside them. Sharp. Rigid and Suspicious to the core. The kind of authority that didn't need to raise its voice to make people uneasy. His presence alone was enough to straighten backs, silence conversations, and make even confident men second-guess themselves.
That morning, when Kevin arrived at the mansion for inspection, the air itself seemed to shift. The guards stood straighter. Voices lowered. Eyes avoided direct contact. He walked through the premises without hurry, his steps measured, his gaze scanning everything with unsettling precision. He didn't ask questions immediately. He observed first. And then— He noticed it.
Near the disposal area, a cluster of paper coffee cups lay carelessly thrown into the garbage bin. Not one. Not two. Too many. Kevin stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped closer, bending just enough to look at them properly. His fingers didn't touch anything, but his gaze traced every detail as if memorizing it.