Night fell over the city like a curtain.
From the rooftop of a sleek glass skyscraper, Lucian Vale watched the glowing lights below.
Behind him, massive screens displayed financial charts, encrypted communications, and surveillance feeds.
One screen showed a familiar figure.
Elara Valen.
Lucian leaned back in his chair.
"Zoom in," he said quietly.
The system responded instantly.
The image sharpened—Elara sitting beside Maya under the school tree earlier that afternoon.
Lucian's assistant stood nearby.
"Sir, are you sure we should keep monitoring her?"
Lucian did not answer immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"She finished the algorithm," he finally said.
The assistant frowned.
"At seventeen?"
Lucian's lips curved slightly.
"Earlier than expected."
The assistant hesitated.
"Should we contact her?"
Lucian shook his head.
"Not yet."
His eyes softened almost imperceptibly.
"She still believes she's alone."
A moment of silence passed.
Then Lucian whispered to himself—
"But she won't be for long."