"You're still recovering, Rose," Mr. Martin Lucas said gently. "Don't push yourself. When you're fully recovered, you can walk around as much as you want."
Rose managed a small smile. "I just wanted some fresh air, Dad, and I kept thinking of my proposal. What happened to it? I didn't have time to be fully prepared."
Mr. Lucas sighed. "Well, Dark Lord, the business tycoon, said he would only continue the deal if you're the one handling it. But you're still recovering, my dear. I won't pressure you. If you can't take it on right now, it's fine."
Rose hesitated for a moment, her eyes burning with quiet determination. "Of course I can, Dad. I'd love to. I just need to get back on my feet. I hope he's patient enough to wait," she said.
Her father smiled proudly. "He will. Dark Lord is a thick-skinned tycoon. He's known for only working with the very best. That's why he wants you."
Mr. Lucas lowered his voice. "You've done something remarkable for our company, Rose, securing Dark Lord's approval. People say it takes nine lives. So tell me, what do you want as a reward? Anything at all, you ask for it, I'll give it to you."
Softly, Rose replied, "Dad, I'd like to go to the study camp."
"Really? The study camp?" her father asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "You don't want to go with your sister Camilla to Paris for vacation?"
Mrs. Isabella Lucas entered the room, her tone clipped but controlled. "She doesn't need to go to Paris, Martin. If she wants to attend the study camp, let her."
Turning to Rose, she reluctantly asked, "How's your health?"
"I'm better," Rose muttered, her voice a soft whisper.
Mr. Lucas leaned back on Rose's bed, watching them both. "All right, if that's what you want, I'll do it." A smile curved his lips.
"Thank you, Dad," Rose said softly.
Meanwhile, Ella lay on her comfortable bed. Most of her bruises had begun to heal, but her body still ached with every movement. She stared at the ceiling, replaying the chaos of the stormy night. Who could have been my savior? she wondered.
A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts. She assumed it was one of the maids and said, "Come in."
When the door opened, a tall, light-skinned man stepped inside—the same man from the stormy night, the one who had saved her from the three attackers. Her breath caught, and a strange flutter filled her chest.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"I'm better," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
He gave a faint smile. "That's good. Your hospital report shows that you'll be fully recovered in no time."
Ella hesitated. "Did you… pay for my medical bills?"
"I did," he replied. "Don't worry about that. Anyone would have done the same."
Tears prickled her eyes. "No," she said, shaking her head. "Nobody has ever helped me before. Thank you."
Gratitude filled her as he studied her face for a moment. Something soft flickered behind his eyes. "You don't owe me anything, Miss ….," he struggled to recall her name.
"I'm Ella," she whispered.
"I'm Adrian," he introduced himself.
She tried to stand. "I should go. I don't want to be a burden."
"Where do you want to go to?" he asked calmly but firmly.
Ella froze. She had no home, nowhere to return to. Her throat tightened as she glanced toward the door. When she tried to take a step, her legs gave out. Before she could hit the ground, Adrian caught her by the waist. Their eyes locked, and a sudden silence filled the room.
He carefully helped her back onto the bed. To ease the tension, he picked up the remote and turned on the television. Reports from the Grand Study Hall filled the screen—banners of powerful corporations, cameras flashing, and the announcer's voice declaring that the city's wealthiest families would attend the opening ceremony of the study camp.
Ella's eyes brightened instantly, then dimmed with sadness. She remembered the flyer she had once held tightly—the dream she had lost. She had no more savings, no home, no hope.
Adrian noticed the longing in her eyes, the quiet ache that words couldn't express. After a pause, he asked gently, "Do you want to go?"
"Go?" she asked, blinking.
"To the study camp," Adrian said. "I saw the way you looked at the screen."
Her lips trembled as she lowered her eyes. "Yes, I do… more than anything," she admitted softly. "But I can't afford it. Not anymore."
He didn't reply immediately. Then he said, standing from the chair, "Take your medicine. You'll be strong again soon." Before she could ask what he meant, he turned and walked out of the room.
Ella sat in silence, confused and slightly dazed. The ticking clock on the wall filled the quiet space, her chest rising and falling slowly as she replayed his words over and over.
Minutes later, the door opened again. Adrian stepped back into the room, this time holding a crisp white envelope sealed with a golden crest. Ella hesitated before taking it. Her fingers trembled as she broke the seal.
Inside was a beautifully embossed invitation to the grand study camp. Her eyes widened.
"This can't be real," she whispered, clutching the paper as tears welled up.
"It is real," Adrian said with a small smile.
Ella looked at him in disbelief. "Why would you do this for me?"
"Everyone deserves a second chance," Adrian replied gently, his expression unreadable.
Tears streamed freely now. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Adrian nodded toward the door. "The maids will help you pack your things and prepare. The camp begins in three weeks. Until then, you will stay here safely."
Ella held the invitation to her chest, lips quivering. For years, she had dreamed of this moment—a chance to study, to change her life, to be seen. Her own family had stolen that dream, but now fate had returned it through the hands of a stranger.
She whispered, "Thank you, Adrian."
Even as she smiled through the tears, questions lingered in her mind. What does he truly want in return? Is there really no ulterior motive behind his actions?
Adrian left the room, picked up his phone, and called his assistant, Rowan Ho.
"I want full details on Ella Robinson and the day of the accident
t. Be fast about it. Do your investigation thoroughly," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," Rowan replied.