Chapter 5 It's Safer If You Leave

The neighborhood showed the passage of time, with its narrow alleys and crumbling buildings. Darkness settled over these streets, stripped of any surveillance cameras, making any investigation nearly impossible. In this grim atmosphere, a phone suddenly vibrated, piercing the silence in the car. Nohan picked up immediately. On the other end, a woman's voice-steady and almost unsettling-came through.

"Hello. The elderly lady you're looking for is with me."

A brief silence hung in the air, thick with tension. Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Suddenly, the car became a flurry of motion: some reached for their phones to contact the authorities, while Tom tried to trace the call. Nohan, unyielding, asked his question in a strong, even voice.

"What do you want in return?"

"Relax," she answered with a teasing lilt. "It was just a joke... You really ought to take better care of your elders."

She then gave them an address and hung up.

Tom let out a loud sigh, pressing a hand to his chest. What nerve!

Nohan, though, frowned in concentration. That voice... There was something about it that seemed both familiar and unsettling.

In less than five minutes, they reached the address. Yet the mysterious benefactor had already disappeared. Only a single police officer remained at the scene, along with old Mrs. Leroux, who appeared completely unharmed.

"Grandma, how did you end up here?" Nohan asked.

The old woman answered in an enigmatic tone, "I came to see my daughter-in-law. She lives just next door."

Nohan stood motionless.

"Grandma... you don't have a daughter-in-law."

"That's not true!" she insisted. "I met her. She was the one who handed me over to the police before slipping away. Give me your phone."

He handed it over. She quickly jotted down the last dialed numbers in her notebook, sure that she had finally found her mysterious daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, Alina-the one behind this generous yet quiet act-chose to avoid any awkward gratitude. She handed the elderly woman over to the police and left as quickly as she could. Scenes of family emotion simply weren't her thing.

The next day, she received a call from her academic advisor.

"Alina, come to the university right away!"

Puzzled, she hopped onto her electric bike and rushed to Professor Miller's office. When she walked in, she found Maïa and Line already seated. Alina narrowed her eyes, suspicious. Maïa was her classmate at Solaria University, a highly prestigious school. Maïa had earned admission through outstanding grades, while Alina-always ambitious in business-had intentionally kept her grades modest so as not to overshadow Maïa, and had picked a less popular field: energy and electricity. Ironically, that major became fashionable two years later. Maïa switched to the same field, bringing them back together in the same classes.

Alina could understand why Maïa was there, but Line's presence made no sense.

Before she could ask, Professor Miller's voice cut through the room.

"Alina, your recommendation for graduate school has been withdrawn."

"What?" she gasped. "Why?"

"Your mother claims that your conduct does not meet the university's standards," he said firmly. "Try to apologize; it might help your case."

Maïa let out a dramatic sigh.

"I'm sure your mother is only looking out for you, Alina. You've offended Mr. Leroux, and he's demanded that you leave Solaria."

It took Alina a moment to realize that this "Mr. Leroux" was actually Nohan. She remembered their brief encounter the day before-could he really be bitter enough to ruin her future?

Maïa stepped closer, her expression sly.

"Dad bought you a ticket to go abroad. He believes it's safer if you leave. Even the Dumas family won't be able to shield you if you stay here."

Alina glanced at the ticket. The destination was Argentina. Literally on the other side of the world. Were they trying to get rid of her for good?

She pushed the ticket aside, her tone icy.

"I don't need your charity."

Maïa then pulled out a bank card, pretending to be sympathetic.

"Are you worried you won't make it there on your own? Here's six thousand dollars, everything I've saved. I'll send you more as soon as I get my allowance."

Alina responded with a sarcastic smile. "So the famous Dumas heiress only managed to save six thousand dollars?"

But Lina suddenly snatched the card out of Maïa's hand.

"Maïa! Paying for her ticket was already generous enough," she snapped.

She shot Alina a look that could cut glass.

"Start packing. You're leaving. I've already signed the paperwork for your withdrawal from the university."

Alina looked back at her, her gaze icy.

"And who gave you that authority?"

"I'm your mother!" Lina declared. "And honestly, with your grades, continuing your education is a waste of time. Go find a job. Earn your own living."

"Madam," Miller interjected, "Alina's academic record is actually excellent..."

"Professor, I don't need a lecture," Poppy interrupted. "If she wants to stay in school so badly, it's only to compete with Maïa."

The professor fell silent. He turned to Maïa.

"And do you plan to continue your studies as well? You haven't received any recommendations either..."

Maïa gave an angelic smile.

"I've been accepted into a special program."

Miller's brow furrowed.

"Who is your supervisor?"

"Dr. Vega," she answered quietly. "He patented research on hydrogen as an alternative fuel."

Alina stared at her in disbelief.

"You said... who?"