Her heart seemed to stop for a split second.
Just then, her phone rang beside her.
The sudden sound made Winter flinch.
She snapped back to herself and realized her fingers were trembling. Then her heart started racing again, pounding so hard it felt as if it might jump into her throat.
She picked up her phone and checked the caller ID. Only then did she slowly calm down.
She swiped to answer.
“Professor?”
On the other end, Jimmy’s voice was low. “You resigned from the TV station?”
Winter knew she couldn’t keep it from him for long. Jimmy was bound to find out sooner or later.
Both she and her former classmate had been among Jimmy’s favorite students. Her former classmate had already made a name for herself, and Winter had carved out her own path in social news. She had built a strong reputation both in the industry and with the public. Her future had looked bright.
And yet, she had suddenly resigned.
It made sense that Jimmy would be upset when he found out.
Even though Winter had her reasons, she still felt ashamed. It felt as if she had failed the teacher who had guided her.
But before she could say anything, Jimmy sighed.
“Come out and talk. It’s almost dinnertime. Let’s grab a meal.”
“Okay,” Winter replied.
After hanging up, Winter looked again at the words she had written on the paper.
Roy Toye.
Why would the initials of her favorite motto form Roy’s name?
Was she overthinking it?
Was it only a coincidence?
But could there really be such a coincidence?
Or was Roy actually someone she already knew?
A message popped up. Jimmy had sent her the restaurant address.
Winter stood, put on her coat, and headed out. After she stepped into the elevator, she sent Roy a message.
“I have something to take care of, so I need to go out for a while. I’ll order you dinner from a great local spot later.”
A little while later, Roy replied.
It specialized in local Liono City dishes.
The restaurant belonged to the Freeman family, and Winter had been there a few times before.
Inside one of the private rooms, the curtains were drawn tightly shut. A middle–aged man in a suit took off his mask and looked coldly at the woman by the table.
“Why did you call me here?”
Sasha walked toward him with graceful, measured steps.
“It’s your birthday today. Did you forget?”
His birthday?
The man lowered his eyes and looked at the cake and the plate of pasta on the table.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
After pretending to be someone else for so long, he had even forgotten his own birthday.
He let out a low, hoarse laugh.
“I’m a man who already died once. What birthday do I have left to celebrate?”
“Don’t say that.” Sasha looked at him. “Even if I’m the only person in the world who knows you’re still alive, I’ll still remember your birthday.”

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