The city lights were still bright, sparkling like a man-made constellation that never sleeps. From behind the glass wall of the office on the top floor of Bernard Holding, the silhouette of a handsome man could be seen standing upright in front of his desk. His black suit had been removed, leaving only his white shirt with the top two buttons undone, but his expression remained handsome, yet cold and determined.
Aaron Bernard. That name wasn't just an identity, but a symbol of power. The President Director of Bernard Holding was known for his ambition, decisiveness, and his inability to make mistakes. Many admired him, but many also feared him. For him, nighttime was no excuse to stop working. As long as his mind was still spinning, as long as his targets hadn't been achieved, sleep was only a second option.
His fingers moved quickly over the stack of documents, his sharp eyes tracing the numbers. Occasionally, he paused, furrowed his brows, and then signed with firm strokes, as if each stroke of the pen were a life-changing decision.
Click…
The sound of the door opening shattered the silence of the room. "Sir, it's getting late. You haven't gone home yet?" Miko asked respectfully, standing a few steps from the door. His trusted assistant was used to seeing Aaron working late, but this time it was truly past the normal time limit.
Aaron stopped what he was doing. He took a deep breath and then raised his wrist. The expensive, classic-designed watch read one in the morning. His eyes were momentarily blank, as if his thoughts were still lingering among unfinished reports and business strategies.
"We're going home now," he said curtly.
Without another word, Aaron neatly closed the documents one by one, shut down his laptop, and stood. His tall, upright posture exuded undeniable authority. He grabbed the black jacket draped over the back of his chair and put it on.
Aaron stepped out of his office, followed by Miko, who quickly closed the door behind them. The usually bustling office hallway was now silent, except for the sound of their footsteps echoing on the floor.
White lights illuminated their path, cold and formal, like the President's mood.
Ting...
The president's dedicated elevator took them down to the underground parking lot. As soon as the elevator doors opened, a cool breeze greeted them. Rows of luxury cars were neatly parked, but Aaron's attention was immediately drawn to his black sedan.
Upon arriving at the parking lot, Aaron quietly entered the car and sat in the back seat. Miko took the driver's seat, started the engine, and slowly drove out of the Bernard Holding complex. The majestic building grew distant, but its image lingered in Aaron's mind. Behind his impassive face, his thoughts returned to work: the company's expansion, the business rivals making moves, and his unfulfilled ambitions.
The night was drawing near, and the streets were deserted. Streetlights cast a yellowish glow on the asphalt, damp with the night dew. The black car drove steadily through the quiet city, carrying a man who appeared perfect on the outside, but harbored a complex and calculating world inside.
Ckitt...
The sound of tires scraping against the asphalt was loud, shattering the silence. The car came to a sudden stop. Aaron's body was pushed forward slightly, forcing him to reflexively brace himself with his hands. His expression immediately changed, his brows furrowing in annoyance.
"Why, Miko? If you don't want to work, just say so," Aaron said in a high-pitched voice.
Miko swallowed hard, his hands still gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Someone's fainted, sir," he said nervously, his voice trembling slightly.
"Where?" Aaron asked curtly.
"Out front, sir," Miko replied, raising his hand, pointing down the road in front of the car.
Aaron's gaze followed the direction of the signal. Under the glare of the car's headlights, the figure of a woman was seen lying in the middle of the road. Her body was prone, motionless, her long hair falling down, partially covering her face. The sight made the night feel even more eerie.
"Go check it out, Mik," Aaron ordered without hesitation.
Miko turned quickly to his master. His face clearly showed doubt. "Are you sure, sir? What if this is a trap? This place is quite deserted. He could be deliberately using bait to rob someone," he said warily, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously again.
Aaron leaned back in his chair, his gaze remaining cool and calm. "You have a gun, Mik. You can use it if you feel threatened," he said flatly, as if the precarious situation were nothing to him.
Miko nodded slowly. There was no choice but to obey his orders. He took a deep breath, then carefully opened the car door.
With slow, cautious movements, Miko got out of the car. In his hand, a gun was at the ready, his index finger resting near the trigger. His sharp gaze scanned every corner of the dark, deserted street, ensuring there was no suspicious movement around them.
Once he was sure the situation was safe, Miko stepped closer to the woman lying motionless on the asphalt.
Miko stopped right next to the woman's body. With the tip of his shoe, he kicked it gently to check, but there was no reaction.
The woman remained silent, her body weak as if lifeless. Miko's brow furrowed at the sight. He crouched down, put the gun away for a moment, and then began to examine the woman.
Under the glare of the car's headlights, bruises were clearly visible on her arms and face. There was dried blood at the corner of her lips, a sign that the woman had not simply fainted.
"Looks like a victim of violence," he murmured softly.
He then reached for the woman's wrist and placed two fingers on it to check for a pulse. Several seconds passed in tense silence, until Miko finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"She's just fainted," he murmured again.
Miko stood up. After once again ensuring the area was safe, he walked back toward the car where Aaron was waiting.
As soon as he saw Miko approaching, Aaron slowly lowered his car window.
"How is it, Miko?" Aaron asked flatly.
"He looks like a victim of violence, sir. He's currently unconscious," Miko answered honestly.
Aaron was silent for a moment. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, as if he were weighing something in his mind. "Put him in the car. We'll take him home," he finally requested. He had purposely not taken him to the hospital, fearing legal trouble or suspicion for something he hadn't done.
Miko looked at Aaron doubtfully. "Are you sure, sir?" he asked to make sure. Aaron had always been known for being cold and indifferent to others, especially strangers of unknown origin.
"Hurry, Miko," Aaron urged curtly, not wanting to argue.
Miko nodded obediently. He tucked his gun back into his waistband and then walked toward the woman. Carefully, he lifted her body and carried her into the car, placing her in the back seat as Aaron had instructed.
Aaron immediately turned his attention to the unconscious woman nearby. Her face looked pale and she had several bruises on her body. For a moment, a faint sense of pity crossed his mind, something he rarely, if ever, felt.