rlight Soiree." The shining structure appeared to ridicule his thrift store suit and

d his path. She glared at him with contempt in her eyes, her

one lacking any hint of apology.

ave come to see Eleanor Drake. Th

sorry, but I believe there must be an error. Ms. Drake would

"There are no errors mad

by and stated that it was time for the person to lea

his knuckles. "You've listened t

king his knuckles. "You he

't be happening. "Wait, please

ere?" A stern voice c

th keen eyes surveying the scene. The wa

ere just removing this... individual. He cl

ual' is Ms. Drake's personal guest. I sugg

's face. "I... I'm so sorry. There

ndeed. I believe you owe Mr. C

asty apologies, their earlier ar

Reeves," Alex sa

ke is waiting for you in

, Alex couldn't help but feel out of place.

ed table, her piercing gaze f

or him to sit. "I trust there we

ctually, there was a bit of a... misunderstanding

red, it won't happen again. Now, you said

"Yes, I... I received some information about m

forward, intr

letter, sliding it across the table. Ele

ula," she murmur

carefully. "You

y little in this system I haven't heard of. The Crimson Nebula

asked, surprised. "You don't th

Alex, wild stories often have a grain of truth. The ques

ted to talk to you. Your offer... it's incredibly generous.

r him. She leaned back, studying him intentl

crossed my mind

arn about the world of power and politics. Do you k

hook h

"And allies. If what this letter suggests is t

"So... you're not wi

d I will not only fulfill all my previous promises, but I will also assist you

ol. "But... for what reason? "Wha

e. "Let's just say there are certain factors

pting now, but something nagged at him. "What abo

around. Good. Never take anything at face value, Alex. Those 'stories'

ich

"In my position, one needs a certain... reputation.

beyond anything he had imagined. The chance to uncover his family's l

time to think,"

ke sure not to procrastinate, Alex. Chances like

f contradictory thoughts. Eleanor's proposal became even more tempt

ophia waiting, with a loo

it go?" she a

nor sat, planning who knows what. "It's... complicated.

ned. "Really? That

think anymore. This morning, I was just a

the center of something big. Whatever you