I Let Her Go, Now She's Unattainable

Inside the elaborate box rested a striking bloodstone carving, beautiful and rare, but not the elusive Pisces Jade Elliana had so hoped to find. A shadow of disappointment flickered across her features. The procession of extravagant gifts continued, each more impressive than the last, yet the piece she was searching for never appeared. With one last lingering glance across the banquet hall, Elliana quietly slipped away. From a distance, Greyson's gaze followed her exit, a trace of amusement hidden behind his cool exterior. She was clearly more invested in the gifts than in the famed healer. He motioned for his assistant to get near. "Look into how Elliana managed to get invited to the Vista Banquet," he murmured, voice low. "And find out if there's any link between her and Caduceus." The assistant nodded and hurried off. Greyson absently brushed his fingers together, recalling the fleeting warmth from his earlier collision with Elliana. The memory of her—soft, fragrant, unexpectedly bold—lingered, along with the realization that her hand had landed somewhere rather intimate. Oddly enough, Greyson realized he did not mind her touch in the least. How could that be? His assistant returned, barely out of breath. "Mr. Spencer, Trevor himself extended the invitation to Ms. Reed." Greyson's interest only grew. Trevor was no ordinary elite in Ipester. His connections ran deep, and not even Greyson had managed to trace the true source of his fortune. Yet Elliana had caught Trevor's attention enough to warrant a personal invitation. Leaning in, the assistant lowered his voice to a hush. "Sir, it seems Ms. Reed has been making discreet inquiries about Karson Bailey. We're still working to verify the details." Greyson's lips twitched in a wry smile. "Is that so?" He rolled his glass in his palm, the motion slow and contemplative. That smile never touched his eyes. So she was searching for him. Very interesting. "Let a little information slip," Greyson said. "Make sure she finds her way to me." He was more than ready to see what game this fascinating woman was playing. ... Once she left the banquet, Elliana's nerves prickled with frustration. Sliding into the driver's seat of her sports car, she tapped her screen and started a video call. "Karson didn't show up," she said, her tone cool and focused. It was only the opening move, but she was still frustrated that Karson had not shown his face at the banquet. Leah's response was tinged with irritation. "There's no way my information is off. Karson had to be in Vista Cay. Boss, maybe he pulled the same trick as you and sent a stand-in? Hold on... something new just pinged. Someone at Vista Cay is making a lot of contact—using SA-level encryption. That's ZR Conglomerate tech, top tier. I'm closing in on Karson for real this time. Give me a minute and I'll have his exact location." A spark of anticipation flickered in Elliana's eyes. The dullness from earlier vanished, replaced by a sharp thrill. ... At one in the morning, beneath a sky veiled in darkness, Elliana touched down inside the courtyard of a remote villa, her frame sheathed in custom black tactical gear. Each footfall was nearly imperceptible—her specialized shoes muffling any trace of sound as she moved with feline precision. Leah's voice crackled through the wireless earpiece, playful and eager. "Surveillance is on an endless loop, Boss! Getaway bike is ready and I'm running the entire camera grid on your escape route. Go get them! And don't worry—I won't peek or eavesdrop... unless something juicy happens!" Her voice buzzed with playful mischief and a dash of nosy delight. Elliana only rolled her eyes, ending the call without another word. Her visor's tinted lenses came alive with the latest thermal tech, painting the world in shifting shades of heat. One sweep mapped out three bodies on the third floor. With a single, athletic surge, Elliana scaled the building's drainpipe and landed on the balcony without a sound, vanishing into the night like she'd always belonged there. A faint breeze drifted by, carrying with it a musky scent. It was familiar. Could Karson be someone from her past? Before she could dwell on the possibility, she caught the subtle stir of shadows—someone was moving inside the villa. There was no room for doubt. She rushed forward, attacking without a second thought. With opponents like this, hesitation was a luxury—strike first, question later. The instant she crossed the threshold, however, every door and window snapped shut, sealing her inside. A delicate clink echoed as a small vial broke somewhere in the dark, releasing a thick cloud of smoke. Sleeping gas. Elliana's instincts took over. She let her body sway, then crashed to the floor, playing the part of a victim who had been caught off guard. She stayed perfectly still as seconds dragged on. Two minutes later, the door clicked and slowly opened. Rushed footsteps echoed across the floor. "The boss anticipated everything. The moment the alarm tripped, he had a plan in place," one man remarked with open admiration. "This one won't be causing any trouble. With that much sedative, she'll be out of commission for days—plenty of time for us to get answers," another chimed in. Several more people filed into the room, their presence filling the space with quiet tension. The first two bowed deeply, then backed out without another word. The door shut with a quiet click. Elliana felt the shift in the air as someone knelt beside her, their presence close and watchful.