Alexander's POV
The world seemed to go silent and for a moment, I wasn't sure if I had heard Elder Asher correctly.
My grip tightened around the phone pressed against my ear.
"Seraphina pushed Hazel."
The words echoed through my mind. Again and again.
I remained motionless.
Across from me, Sebastian watched carefully from his seat inside the car. His brows furrowed immediately.
He could tell something was wrong.
The call had ended, but my phone was still pressed against my ear.
Hazel's pale face flashed through my mind. When she had amnesia and couldn't even recognize Elena, the best friend she loved so much.
Then Elena appeared and I suddenly recalled the tea incident. The innocent smile and gentle expression Seraphina wore every time.
Everything about her suddenly felt disgusting.
A sharp laugh escaped my lips causing Sebastian to stiffen.
I slowly lowered the phone.
"Master?", Sebastian called.
I leaned my head against the seat.
A smile appeared on my lips, yet there was nothing happy about it.
"Seraphina was behind Hazel's hospitalization."
Silence filled the car.
"What?", Sebastian's eyes widened.
I nodded once.
"The footage was recovered", I paused, "She pushed Hazel."
For several seconds, Sebastian simply stared. His eyes widened and his mouth fell open.
Finally, he exhaled slowly.
"I never trusted her fully", he spat.
I closed my eyes. I hadn't trusted her either.
But Elena, Hazel and Collins had. They loved her with their soul.
But Seraphina had used that as a weapon against them.
Outside the tinted windows, the city continued moving as though nothing had happened.
The atmosphere remained heavy as the car continued forward. Neither of us spoke for several minutes.
Eventually, Sebastian opened a folder resting beside him. His voice returned to its usual professional tone.
"The Blackwood Enterprises board approved the expansion project."
I nodded.
"Good."
"There is another matter."
I turned slightly to face Sebastian as he adjusted in his heat.
"A private technology developer contacted the company."
I listened quietly.
"He claims to possess a system worth several billion."
That caught my attention.
"Our evaluation team reviewed the preliminary details", Sebastian continued.
"And?"
"They believe it could change the entire industry."
I rested my arm against the window.
"What does he want?"
Sebastian looked down at the report.
"He refuses to negotiate with anyone else", he paused, "he insists on meeting you personally."
The corner of my lips twitched. That was interesting.
"Arrange it."
"Understood."
The conversation ended.
Outside, buildings drifted past one after another. My gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery.
And then, "Ding."
The notification sound cut through the silence.
My eyes lowered toward the phone resting in my hand. It was an unknown number.
A strange feeling settled inside my chest. Without thinking, I tapped the message.
The screen brightened and my breathing stopped.
It was an old photograph of two boys standing beneath a large tree.
One of them was me. I was much younger, laughing without restraint.
Beside me stood another boy with black hair and brown eyes.
My hand trembled. It was Raziel.
In the image, young Raziel wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking at me and his eyes were filled with childish admiration as though I had been the most important person in his world.
My chest tightened painfully. Below the photograph was a single line.
BIRCH ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
There was no explanation or threat. Just an address.
My heartbeat immediately accelerated.
The message was clear. Raziel wanted to meet.
After all these years...
He wanted to see me.
Sebastian noticed the change instantly.
"Master?"
Without saying a word, I threw the phone toward him.
His reflexes kicked in immediately. He caught it before it could hit the floor.
Confusion appeared on his face. Then he looked down. His eyes narrowed. The moment he saw the photograph, his expression changed.
"Is that..."
He lifted his head.
"Is that Raziel standing beside you?"
"Yes."
The answer left my mouth before he could finish.
"I just received it."
Sebastian stared at the screen for several seconds. The color slowly drained from his face.
Without hesitation, he leaned forward.
"Driver."
The man immediately responded.
"Yes, sir."
"Change route."
The driver glanced into the rearview mirror.
"Destination?"
Sebastian's eyes remained fixed on the photograph.
"Birch Entertainment Company."
The driver grunted.
The next second, the vehicle turned and accelerated sharply.
The city blurred outside the windows.
Neither of us spoke. The atmosphere inside the car grew heavier with every passing second.
Finally, Sebastian lowered the phone.
"What do you think he wants?"
I looked out the window once more. Then slowly, I closed my eyes.
Memories I had buried years ago began surfacing from the darkness.
The sound of Raziel's laughter echoed through my mind as we played on the school grounds.
Promises made between boys who believed friendship would last forever.
A long breath escaped my lips.
"I don't know."
For the first time in years, that answer was the truth.
And somehow...
That frightened me more than anything.