The night deepened, the city streets stretching out in emptiness, with only a handful of cars passing by without urgency.
In the back seat of a black sedan moving at a steady pace, Evan Calder leaned back, one hand supporting his temple. His other hand scrolled across the screen of a tablet, tracing lines of numbers and graphs, data he should have been able to process instantly, yet tonight it passed through him without leaving a mark.
Evan let out a long breath. His finger stopped moving, and the tablet was set aside without ceremony.
He had spent the entire day trapped in seminars and meetings, forced to keep smiling, thinking, deciding without pause, until both his body and mind felt completely drained.
"Please bear with it a little longer, Young Master. We are almost there."
Leon's voice came from the driver's seat, as calm and measured as always.
Evan gave a small nod. Without turning, he knew the man was watching him through the rearview mirror. His right hand and personal guard always knew when to speak.
Evan reached for a bottle of mineral water from the console and took several swallows, just to be sure his throat was still functioning.
His gaze shifted toward the window. Streetlights slid backward, stretching into elongated lines of light across the glass.
At the intersection, the traffic light turned red, forcing the car to stop.
Evan leaned his head back more deeply.
In the row of shop windows long since closed, he caught the reflection of the sedan. The image was clear, yet it felt strangely foreign and fragile, as though it could vanish at any moment.
The reflection reminded him of himself.
From the beginning, he had known the path he chose would not be easy. Standing beside his grandmother and preparing himself to take over the company had been a conscious decision.
Yet there were moments like this, when he wanted to disappear. To go somewhere far away, to a place that did not know the name Calder, demanded nothing from him, and allowed him to breathe as himself.
"That… what is that…"
Leon's murmur pulled Evan out of his thoughts.
He followed the man's line of sight.
At the right-hand intersection, not far from where they were stopped, he saw a white car overturned in the middle of the road. Its frame was crushed, shattered glass scattered everywhere, thin smoke rising from the engine.
"It looks like an accident just happened, Young Master," Leon said quietly.
Evan leaned forward, his eyes locking onto the scene.
"Get closer," he said without hesitation.
"Yes?" Leon glanced reflexively at the rearview mirror, startled by the order.
But the sharp, focused look in Evan's eyes made him comply without further questions.
He realized this decision was unlike Evan.
In his life, every step Evan took was weighed carefully. Risk. Consequences. Image. He was accustomed to ensuring everything remained under control.
But as he looked at the wreckage, something kept him from turning away. Not logic, nor a sudden surge of compassion.
Just an uncomfortable sensation pressing against his chest, faint yet persistent, as though if he chose to drive past, he would regret it later.
"Understood, Young Master."
The empty road gave Leon plenty of space to turn easily. The sedan moved past the traffic light and stopped several meters from the accident.
Far enough to remain safe, yet close enough to see clearly what had happened.
When Evan lowered the window, the night air crept inside. The sharp scent of metal mixed with gasoline stabbed at his senses.
And then...
A groan reached them.
"Help… please... help me…"
Both of them tensed instantly.
Through the shattered remains of the window, Evan could see a woman trapped inside the car.
Her face was smeared with blood, her body held in place by the seat belt. Her breathing was shallow and uneven, but her eyes were still half open, struggling to stay conscious.
"She's alive," Evan said without looking away. "Leon, save her."
"Yes?" Leon turned instinctively.
"This is likely a hit-and-run." Evan's gaze swept over the white car, the pool of gasoline beneath the frame, exposed wires spilling from under the hood. All the signs converged into a single conclusion. "We don't have much time."
"But, Young Master, shouldn't we—"
"Now," Evan cut in sharply, leaving no room for objection.
Leon immediately rushed out, approaching the crushed white car.
"Miss, can you hear me?" Leon's voice rang clearly in the stillness of the night. "Please hold on. I'm going to get you out."
Evan stayed where he was. His breath caught as his eyes followed every movement Leon made.
He watched as the man assessed the car's condition, swiftly clearing away shards of glass that blocked the way.
Leon's movements were fast and precise.
Once there was enough space, Leon slipped half his body into the vehicle. From inside his jacket, he pulled out a small dagger and cut through the seat belt restraining the woman.
As her body dropped, Leon reacted instantly, supporting her head and shoulders to keep them from striking the frame.
Slowly and carefully, he pulled her free. Step by step, he carried her away from the wreckage, toward their black sedan.
But just as Leon was about to reach the door—
BOOM!
The explosion tore through the air.
A wave of heat slammed outward, followed by a sudden surge of fire.
In an instant, the white car was consumed by flames, its frame glowing like metal forged alive.
Evan sprang up from his seat on instinct. His heart pounded violently as his gaze searched frantically for Leon and the woman.
Through the lingering smoke and haze, he finally saw Leon emerge, moving quickly while carrying the woman in his arms.
A breath of relief escaped Evan.
"Get in," Evan ordered at once, throwing the car door wide open.
Leon quickly placed the woman inside, settling her into the empty seat beside Evan.
Evan steadied her body, making sure her head was properly supported.
"Are you all right?"
Evan's eyes moved to Leon's temple. The wound was small, just a narrow cut. But the blood seeping from it made Evan's stomach tighten unconsciously.
"Ah, this..." Leon hesitated slightly before giving a thin smile. "It's nothing, Young Master."
He wiped the blood away with the edge of his shirt, his movements light, as though the injury were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Evan looked at him for several seconds.
"I'm sorry." The words slipped out on their own. A weight of regret pressed against his chest, because he knew the order had come from him.
"I'm fine, Young Master," Leon replied gently.
Evan knew those words were not just an answer, but an attempt to reassure him, to say that no one was at fault.
"We need to get her to the hospital," Evan said. His gaze returned to the unconscious woman beside him.
"Yes, Young Master."
But before Leon could move toward the driver's seat, a faint voice stopped them.
"No… don't take me... to the hospital…"
The woman forced her lips to move, the words barely more than a breath.
Evan had not yet processed the meaning when her head fell to the side, and her consciousness slipping away.
He stared at her pale face for a moment. Then his gaze dropped to the phone clutched in her hand. The screen was cracked, yet her fingers held it with desperate strength, as though it were the only thing keeping her anchored.
Evan's brow twitched.
He could sense something was wrong, as if this was not merely an ordinary hit-and-run accident.
"We'll take her to Iris's place."
Leon paused briefly, then nodded. "Understood, Young Master."
The car began to move again, leaving the intersection behind, along with the flames that continued to devour the white car in the distance.
To be continued.