Third Person's POV
Wan State Central Detention Facility
The hallway outside the private interrogation rooms was unusually quiet.
Two officers stood near the entrance while another walked slowly past, his shoes echoing against the polished floor.
Inside one of the rooms, Seraphina Birch sat alone.
Her wrists were restrained in front of her, but she didn't appear bothered by them. She sat comfortably against the back of her chair, staring at the wall with an expression that revealed nothing.
The door opened, but Seraphina didn't turn to see who entered.
A man wearing a beige suit and matching hat stepped inside.
Raziel.
The officer who had escorted him inside quickly closed the door behind him.
Raziel walked toward the table, pulled out the chair opposite Seraphina and sat down. For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Seraphina kept staring at the wall while Raziel studied her in silence.
"You're still quiet."
She didn't respond.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I suppose prison did that to you."
"..."
Raziel leaned back slightly.
"Seraphina."
Her eyes remained fixed ahead.
"Are you going to keep on ignoring me every time I visit?"
"..."
His smile disappeared.
"You went off script."
That finally caught her attention, and she slowly turned her head toward him.
Her eyes met his.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Raziel's expression remained calm.
"Of course you do."
She gave a small laugh.
"You're acting as though I'm one of your minions."
Raziel tilted his head slightly.
"Aren't you?"
The smile on Seraphina's face vanished.
She leaned forward, her restrained hands resting on the table.
"Nobody controls me."
Raziel said nothing.
"I make my own decisions," she continued. "I choose what I want. I choose whom I love. I choose what I do."
She squinted.
"I'm my own boss."
For a moment, Raziel simply stared at her. Then he sighed.
"You're irredeemable."
Seraphina's lips curled into a small smile.
"Perhaps."
She leaned back again.
"But at least I'm free."
Raziel's gaze remained on her.
"You were supposed to observe."
Seraphina shrugged.
"And I did."
"You were supposed to gather information."
"That I did too."
"You were supposed to remain unnoticed."
Her smile faded slightly.
"Things changed."
Raziel's eyes narrowed.
"That's the problem."
Seraphina didn't answer.
Raziel stood slowly.
For a moment, he looked down at her before adjusting his hat.
"I wonder how much worse this could have become if you had been given more time."
Seraphina smiled.
"I guess we'll never know."
Raziel chuckled.
"Perhaps."
He turned toward the door.
Seraphina watched him carefully.
"Raziel."
He stopped.
She stared at his back.
"Do you regret using me?"
For several seconds, he remained silent before turning his head slightly.
"I regret allowing you to believe you were untouchable."
With that, he walked out, and the door closed behind him.
Seraphina remained seated. Her expression slowly changed, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Too late."
***
Outside the detention facility
Raziel walked through the corridor, holding a duffel bag without saying a word.
The officer who had accompanied him followed closely behind.
Once they reached a quieter section of the building, Raziel stopped and looked towards the officer.
"I need a favor."
The officer immediately straightened.
"Yes, sir."
Raziel held the duffel bag out to the officer.
"What's inside?" the officer asked, staring at the bag.
"Something that should make your life easier."
The officer hesitated before opening the duffel bag. His eyes widened.
Millions of Farqus.
He immediately looked up.
"Sir..."
"Take it."
The officer swallowed.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
Raziel's expression became serious.
"Seraphina's security records."
The officer listened carefully.
"I want access to every recording connected to her case."
"All of them?"
"Every camera. Every visitor. Every movement around this facility."
The officer hesitated.
"That may be difficult."
Raziel smiled faintly.
"That's why you're being paid."
The officer lowered his gaze toward the money again.
Raziel continued.
"If anything unusual happens around her, I want to know."
"Yes, sir."
"And if anyone asks questions about the recordings?"
The officer understood immediately.
"I'll handle it."
Raziel nodded.
"Good."
He adjusted his hat before walking away.
The officer remained beside the table, staring at the duffel bag.
***
Birch Entertainment Company
Alexander sat behind his desk while several documents rested neatly before him.
The production team had already provided the latest reports concerning the upcoming series.
Everything appeared to be progressing smoothly, but there was only one problem.
The female lead.
The original actress was no longer available, and finding a suitable replacement had become increasingly difficult.
The office door opened, and Scarlet Crimson Oak entered confidently.
Her fiery red hair fell over her shoulders while her emerald eyes remained fixed on Alexander.
Sebastian stood near the window.
Alexander looked up.
"Miss Crimson Oak."
Scarlet smiled.
"Chairman Blackwood."
She took the seat opposite him.
Alexander placed the document in his hand on the desk.
"I've reviewed your proposal."
"And?"
"I want you to play the lead."
Scarlet's smile widened.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Alexander leaned back slightly.
"You have the experience, the popularity and the acting ability. The production needs someone capable of carrying the role."
Scarlet tilted her head.
"There's just one problem."
Alexander's expression remained unchanged.
"What problem?"
She smiled sweetly.
"I have a condition."
Sebastian's eyes immediately shifted towards her.
Alexander stared at her for several seconds.
"What is it?"
Scarlet crossed her legs.
"I want you to take me out for coffee."
Silence filled the office.
Alexander's eyebrows tightened slightly.
"Coffee?"
"Yes."
"That's your condition?"
"Exactly."
Alexander leaned back in his chair.
He studied her carefully.
Scarlet had already confessed her feelings for him. He had rejected her because he was engaged to Hazel, and he had assumed that would be the end of it.
Apparently, he had been mistaken.
"Miss Crimson Oak, I'm not interested in dating you."
Scarlet laughed softly.
"I didn't say it was a date."
Alexander looked at her suspiciously.
She smiled.
"Just coffee."
Sebastian quietly looked away.
Alexander noticed.
"Sebastian."
"Yes, Master?"
"Don't."
Sebastian immediately straightened.
"Yes, Master."
Scarlet laughed again.
Alexander sighed. He didn't particularly enjoy the idea, but the production needed her. After several seconds, he finally nodded.
"Fine."
Scarlet's eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"One coffee."
She smiled.
"That's all I need."
She stood and picked up her handbag.
"I'll send you the location."
Alexander nodded.
Scarlet walked toward the door, but before leaving, she turned around.
"Don't be late, Chairman."
The door closed behind her.
Alexander stared at it for a moment.
Sebastian finally spoke. "Master..."
Alexander slowly looked toward him. "What?"
Sebastian tried to suppress his smile.
"Nothing."
Alexander narrowed his eyes.
"Good."
He returned his attention to the documents on his desk, but his mind was on Elena.
A faint sigh escaped him.
Many things were happening around him. Seraphina's trial, Raziel's return, the company, the upcoming series and now Scarlet.
Yet somehow, Elena remained the one person who could occupy his thoughts without him even trying.
Outside the office, Scarlet walked down the hallway with a satisfied smile. She had finally gotten him to agree, and she had no intention of wasting the opportunity.