“Of course, the moment I turned into the alley, my last shred of pride disappeared in an instant.”I sank to the ground, clutching my head, as soon as I hid in the shadows. I’d spent all week squeezing in visits to every bank I could find, but the answer was always the same. And now it was Friday afternoon. I’d ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) finally hit the wall.What was I going to do?Even if I scraped together every penny I had, it still fell far short. I couldn’t exactly beg my adoptive parents for money. The thought of asking my foster father made me want to hang myself.No matter how I looked at it, there was only one option left. I’d dreaded it, but when you’re backed into a corner, there’s no time to worry about dignity. After splashing water on my face, I hunched there with my eyes closed for a moment before standing up. I pulled my phone from my pocket and searched for his number—the one from the business card I’d tucked away after we first met.I never expected to use it like this.The call didn’t go through. The monotone dial tone played for a while before the automated message kicked in. I tried again with the same result. I frowned at the screen for a long moment, then ended the call. I didn’t want to, but I knew I had to see him in person. Before my resolve wavered, I hurried toward where I’d parked the car.The black tower that loomed arrogantly in the city’s expensive core belonged to Miller Law Firm. Fifty floors all theirs—it was impossible not to feel its power. It practically screamed, “No money? Get lost!” I stood at the base, tilting my head back so far my neck protested, trying to gauge its height.So this was a firm whose minimum retainer was in the hundreds of thousands.Bitter and disgusted, I thought of the man on the top floor, surveying the world at his feet with that arrogant expression. Remembering how he’d almost burned my eyes with that look made my own eyes sting. Swallowing the rising fear, I picked up my pace.“Excuse me. I’m here to see someone.”The receptionist looked up and smiled. “Of course. Whom shall I connect you with?”I took a deep breath. “I’d like to see Nathaniel L. Miller.”Time seemed to freeze. The low hum of the lobby went silent. I waited while the receptionist blinked in surprise.“Ah—Mr. Miller isn’t here right now. I saw him leave a little while ago.”“Already?”I checked my watch. He nodded carefully.“Would you happen to have an appointment?”“No… I—”I realized how foolish I’d been. Of course he wouldn’t drop everything for a walk-in. I’d at least hoped I could leave a message with his secretary, but apparently there was none.What a mess.I frowned, about to ask if I could leave a note, when the receptionist spoke first.“Mr. Miller always leaves early on Fridays. He goes to a party every weekend.”“A party?”I repeated, incredulous.“Yes. I heard it’s at the Soyo estate this time. If it’s urgent, you could try going there.”I blinked at the unexpected suggestion.“May I really do that?”“Sure… everyone on staff knows where it is.”With that, he casually gave me the address.“Thank you.”I nodded and left the building, staring gravely at the slip of paper in my hand. Before coming, I hadn’t given this a second thought—but now it felt like everything was unraveling.Should I come back another time?I hesitated. His phone probably went unanswered because he was at a party. Or perhaps he simply ignored unknown numbers. Maybe he wasn’t carrying his phone at all. But no—he wouldn’t do that. So…Then it hit me.If I showed up uninvited, I wouldn’t even get in.Could I have them call him outside?The thought made me feel even more pathetic, but at this point, I couldn’t fall any lower. If I turned and left now, I’d never have the courage to return. From the moment I decided to come here, my pride was already gone.Let’s go.I steeled myself and set off, half mocking my own desperation.Has anything in my life ever come easily?At that point, I still hadn’t realized that things always went worse than I imagined. Always had, always would.I followed the navigation away from the center into a quieter area. After passing the iron gates of a well-known country club, the houses thinned out until only tall spruces lined the road. Only after a tedious stretch did I spot the mansion I’d been searching for.Rising beyond its vast gardens, the enormous estate felt intimidating enough to crush my cheap rental car like a coin beneath a Titan’s thumb. For the first time, I felt my heart skip at the sheer presence of such power.Get a grip.I shook my head. I’d come this far; I couldn’t let myself shrink back. I still had a problem to solve.The closer I got, the more men in black suits with discreet earpieces I saw among the hedges. When I finally parked in front of the house, a line of them moved in unison toward me.

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