Episode 3: The Photograph from the Past

The next morning, Anny reached Vale Group earlier than usual. After everything that had happened, she wanted to prove that she deserved her new position. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the grand lobby, trying to ignore the curious glances from the employees.

To her surprise, the receptionist greeted her with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Miss Winter. Mr. Vale asked us to send you directly to his office."

Anny blinked in confusion. "His office?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Trying not to overthink it, she took the private elevator to the top floor. The doors opened into a quiet hallway that led to the CEO's office. She knocked gently.

"Come in."

Kiaan was standing near the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of black coffee. The morning sunlight outlined his sharp features, making him look even more distant than usual.

"You wanted to see me?" Anny asked.

Without turning around, he nodded.

"From today onward, you'll work as my personal assistant."

Anny's eyes widened.

"But... I don't know anything about being a CEO's assistant."

"You'll learn."

His calm confidence somehow eased her worries.

"Besides," he added, finally looking at her, "I trust you."

Those three words echoed in Anny's mind.

I trust you.

She wondered why someone she hadn't spoken to in five years could trust her so completely.

Just then, Ethan barged into the office carrying two cups of coffee and a paper bag filled with pastries.

"I brought breakfast!" he announced dramatically.

Seeing Anny, he grinned.

"Perfect timing. If Kiaan keeps skipping meals, he'll turn into an actual robot."

Kiaan sighed.

"Ethan..."

"What? I'm saving your life."

Anny couldn't help laughing again.

For a brief moment, even Kiaan's lips curved into the faintest smile.

"You two laugh too much," he muttered.

Ethan gasped dramatically.

"Did everyone hear that? The Ice King made a joke!"

Kiaan picked up a file and threw it toward him.

"Get out."

Ethan dodged it with exaggerated skill before disappearing from the office, still laughing.

The cheerful atmosphere lingered long after he left.

Later that afternoon, Anny was arranging old company documents in the archives. Dust covered almost every shelf, and the room smelled of old paper.

While organizing one of the cabinets, a worn envelope slipped onto the floor.

Curious, she picked it up.

Inside was an old photograph.

It showed four teenagers wearing their high school uniforms.

Anny immediately recognized herself.

Next to her stood Kiaan, looking slightly awkward but smiling.

Beside them was Ethan, making a funny face.

And standing at the edge of the picture was another boy.

His face...

...had been scratched out with something sharp.

Anny frowned.

"Who was he?"

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember.

A sudden voice behind her made her jump.

"Where did you find that?"

Kiaan stood in the doorway.

For the first time since they had reunited, genuine fear flashed across his face.

"I... I found it in this envelope," Anny replied softly.

He walked over quickly and took the photograph from her hands.

For several long seconds, he stared silently at the scratched-out face.

Then, without a word, he slipped the photograph into his pocket.

"You shouldn't look into the past."

His voice was unusually cold.

Anny looked at him in disbelief.

"Why?"

Kiaan hesitated.

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

He answered immediately.

"What?"

The color drained from his face.

"When?"

He ended the call and grabbed his car keys.

"Ethan just found a body."

Anny's heart skipped a beat.

"What does that have to do with us?"

Kiaan looked directly into her eyes.

"The victim was carrying your brother Daniel's wallet."

The room fell silent.

Anny felt the ground disappear beneath her feet.

"My... brother?"

She hadn't seen Daniel in seven years.

He had vanished without leaving a single clue.

Tears welled in her eyes as Kiaan gently held her trembling shoulders.

"We don't know if it's really him," he said quietly. "But we need to go. Now."

As they hurried toward the elevator, neither of them noticed a hidden camera in the archive room.

On a nearby monitor, Victor watched with a satisfied smile.

"They've found the first piece of the puzzle."

He leaned back in his chair.

"And now... the real game begins."

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