Rhax stood firm, his piercing gaze locked onto Ron. The blue eyes of both men mirrored one another, cold and calculating. Leyra remained motionless, her arms crossed as she observed them from behind her desk.
Beep... Beep...
The sound acted like a trigger, instantly snapping the two blond-haired men's attention toward her.
Leyra released a weary sigh and lifted the office phone. "Yes?"
"My apologies, Lady Leyra. The medical and police teams have arrived."
"Where are they?"
"Waiting in the reception area, Lady Leyra."
"Escort their representatives directly to my office. Direct the rest to handle the intruders currently detained in Scorpio 07."
"Understood, Lady Leyra."
She hung up, glancing back at the two men who had been scrutinizing her every move. "Is the issue resolved?"
Ron rose to his feet, but before he could take a single step, Rhax intercepted him.
"Eosvile, what is your intention?"
"I am merely fulfilling my duty and function in this establishment, Rhax Brown."
Rhax tightened his jaw, his fists clenching at his sides. Ron strode past him, unbothered. "My apologies, Lady Leyra, if my presence caused you any discomfort."
"That's fine."
Rhax's eyes widened; he spun around and hurried toward her. "Lady Leyra, I—"
"Rhax, please wait outside to receive the representatives from the medical and police teams."
"Understood," Rhax replied with a stiff bow.
He exited the room, though Ron's gaze remained fixed on the spot where the man had vanished.
"Ron, you can handle the investigation report, can't you?"
Ron turned back, offering a faint smile. "Certainly. That won't be a problem."
Leyra tilted her head. "And..."
"Please, feel free to ask me anything, Lady Leyra."
"What did you mean earlier when you implied Nox was better than Rhax?"
"I..."
"Be honest."
"I would like to clarify one thing: I had no intention of belittling or insulting Rhax Brown, Lady Leyra."
"Explain."
Ron inhaled deeply before responding. "From the moment I first met Rhax... I sensed that he harbored some form of resentment toward me."
"Is that so?"
"That is what I have observed."
Leyra tapped her index finger rhythmically against her desk. "That has simply been his nature from the start."
Ron looked stunned. "Even when he first met you, Lady Leyra?"
"Yes. Why?"
Ron massaged his temples. "So he has always been that way... but it seems he has changed recently, hasn't he?"
"Has he?"
Ron offered a subtle smile. This girl is truly something.
"Why did you suggest we spar?"
"My father taught me that men are usually at their most honest when they use their fists."
Ron maintained his composed expression, thinking, This girl...
"You rejected the suggestion yourself, though."
"Forgive me."
Leyra crossed her arms again. "So, is Nox better than Rhax?"
"That is—"
"Lady Leyra, the representatives have arrived," cut in Rhax.
Leyra stood up. "We shall continue this later."
Ron gave a silent nod.
Leyra walked toward the table near the painting. "Rhax, let them in."
Rhax opened the doors, revealing two men in contrasting uniforms—one medical, one police—standing behind him. He led the representatives toward Leyra.
"Please, have a seat, gentlemen."
They nodded in acknowledgement. Leyra took the center chair while the two officials sat to her left. Rhax took up a rigid, sentinel-like stance to her right.
"Ron, could you come here?" Leyra called out.
"Immediately, Lady Leyra."
Ron approached swiftly, then stopped to face the representatives. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ron Eosvile."
"HUH!?"
Both men gasped, their eyes widening in shock at the mention of the name.
"E—Eosvile?" the medical representative stammered.
"How is that possible?" the police officer echoed.
Without a word, Ron produced the golden badge gifted to him by Zigh.
The police officer stood up. "That—my deepest apologies, sir," he said, bowing low.
"It is quite alright," Ron replied.
Leyra remained impassive, her face a mask of neutrality, while Rhax let out a soft scoff.
"Won't you sit?"
"Ah, of course, Lady Estogazt," the officer replied.
Ron and the officer sat facing one another.
"My apologies, I will get straight to the point, Lady Estogazt."
Leyra nodded. "Ron, please explain."
"Certainly, Lady Leyra."
"Sir Ron, what exactly occurred?" the officer asked.
"I have yet to form a complete conclusion, but they were orchestrating a bombing here at the hotel and at the Begepe pier."
"You are correct. The Begepe pier has been obliterated, according to the report from the officers stationed there," the policeman confirmed.
"Obliterated?" Rhax muttered, caught off guard.
The officer glanced at Ron. "That is what the report states."
"Were there any casualties?"
The officer shook his head. "No such reports thus far."
Ron rested his chin in his hand. Outer... but only Zigh could...
"Thank you," Ron said.
The medical officer checked his phone. "It appears my team found no signs of poisoning on the suspects."
"Suspects?" Leyra interjected.
"Forgive me, Lady Estogazt. Until we have concrete evidence, we cannot officially link them to the bombing at Begepe Pier."
"If it is evidence you seek, check the western building. Their accomplices met the same fate as the masterminds here," Ron remarked.
"That is... we are currently short-staffed as we are focusing our resources on Begepe Pier. Please rest assured, sir, that we will immediately proceed with the search for the other suspects."
Ron nodded.
"Additionally, we would like to know if the four unconscious suspects in Scorpio 07 have been here before?"
Leyra pulled out her phone, opened an application, and keyed in the suspects' names.
The technology in Echo truly far surpasses Syntax, Ron noted internally.
"According to the check-in and check-out logs, they have visited this hotel, but always individually and only booking VVIP rooms on the Aries floor."
The officer recorded her statement. "So, this is the first time they have all gathered here together... could we have the footage or logs?"
"Sure. Please collect them from our technology department."
"Thank you, Lady Estogazt."
"Can you run a full sweep of the hotel?" Ron suggested.
"Sir Ron, that is—"
"Yes, proceed with it," Leyra commanded.
The officer cast his eyes downward. "Authorization from our superiors is required before we may proceed."
"I understand," Ron admitted.
Ron glanced at Leyra and gave a subtle nod.
A soft sigh escaped Leyra's lips.
The medical officer stood up. "Lady Estogazt, the suspects have been moved to the ambulance. Could you provide your signature for the report?"
"Certainly."
Leyra approached the officer and signed on his digital device.
"Thank you very much, Lady Estogazt."
"Anything else?"
"No, that will be all. I shall take my leave."
The medic exited the Virgo 01 room.
Leyra sat back down. "How long will the investigation take?"
"Once all evidence is secured, the legal process will move swiftly, Lady Estogazt."
"He is correct, Lady Leyra. Without hard evidence, the police department cannot overstep," Ron added.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Leyra, are you inside?" Zigh's voice came from behind the door.
Rhax's hands curled into tight fists. "Zigh Eosvile..."
"Yes, come in," Leyra permitted.
Zigh entered, followed by Nox. Both men were drenched in sweat. The police officer stood to offer a salute.
Zigh acknowledged him with a brief nod.
"Hah... Hah... Leyra, we must vacate this room."
"Why?"
"There are traces of explosives in the hallway outside Virgo 01."
"I see..." Leyra glanced at the officer. "Can you retrieve the evidence now?"
Zigh glared at the officer. "Order your men to sweep the entire Virgo 01 corridor immediately!"
"Ye—yes, sir!"
The officer scrambled out of the room.
Nox approached Ron. "Hah... Hah... You know, the Colonel completely lost his sanity when he heard Leyra's name."
"What do you mean?"
"He pushed the car over 100 km/h—even faster than when he was rushing to the Begepe Pier."
Ron offered a faint smile. "What about Outer?"
"As soon as we hit the lobby, it retreated back into Lian."
"I see..."
Zigh shot a sharp look at Nox and Ron. "Why are you two whispering?"
"Just providing an update on the pier," Ron replied.
Zigh let out a heavy breath.
Leyra's gaze shifted to Nox. "Nox Eosvile."
The use of his full name made every man in the room tense up.
Leyra walked toward him. "Where is Outer?"
"Home."
Ron nudged Nox sharply with his elbow.
"Ron, you..." Nox whispered, rubbing his ribs in pain.
"Where?" Leyra pressed.
"Li—no, it's nothing."
Zigh clicked his tongue.
"You are quite different from your brother, Ron, aren't you, Nox?"
Nox looked away. "That—"
"Lady Leyra, it would be best if we followed Colonel Zigh Eosvile's instructions and evacuated," Rhax interjected.
"Rhax, calm down. We are safe, aren't we, Nox?"
Ron stared intensely at Leyra. This girl... is she doing this on purpose?
"Leyra, please, evacuate until the evidence is recovered," Zigh urged.
Leyra rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head slightly. "Nox, what do you think?"
"They are both right. You should evacuate."
"If that is what Nox says, then very well."
Zigh and Rhax were stunned, their eyes narrowing at Nox in disbelief.
Ron sighed and massaged his forehead.
"Do you two have a problem?" Nox challenged.
A ghost of a smile flickered on Leyra's lips. Outer, it's a shame you aren't here...
To be continued...