Lucas entered the room, tension etched deeply into his posture. His gaze landed immediately on Vivian, injured and exhausted, and for a brief moment, raw concern broke through his professional composure before he quickly masked it. He moved toward her slowly, setting down the bag of supplies he carried, his eyes never fully leaving her bruised face.

  He cast a cautious glance toward Noah, noting the subtle possessiveness in the way Noah stood, angled protectively yet territorially close to Vivian. A silent, tense understanding passed between them, neither backing down, neither openly confronting.

  Lucas turned to Vivian, his gaze softened upon seeing her condition, stepping closer and gently led her to the lounge. He knelt in front of her, beginning to carefully treat her injuries. Noah stayed close enough to maintain his presence without interfering directly, his eyes watching Lucas’s movements intently, displeasure clear in his tense posture.

  Vivian broke the silence first, voice quiet yet resolute. "We need to talk about our next steps."

  Lucas nodded calmly, professional and reassuring. "I'll look into Mike Liu immediately. If there's anything useful, I'll find it."

  Vivian exhaled, nodding. "And Mochi?"

  At the mention of Mochi, Noah visibly tensed, his expression hardening. "We deal with her immediately," he said with chilling certainty. Lucas nodded slowly, wary but pragmatic.

  "Serena?" Vivian’s voice betrayed a deeper worry now.

  "I'll intensify the search," Lucas promised. "We'll find her."

  Vivian suddenly straightened slightly, a realization flickering across her eyes. She turned abruptly toward Noah. "Did Mochi know you wanted information from Sammy, or did she think it was me?"

  Noah frowned, caught off guard by her question. "I only told her I needed information."

  Vivian’s eyes sharpened. "And you think she triggered the alarm on purpose? To distract you?"

  Noah’s expression darkened, understanding dawning coldly. "Yes. But she would have known distracting me would stop me from questioning Sammy properly."

  Lucas glanced uncertainly between them, confusion evident. "I’m missing something here."

  "They’re called brain cells," Noah quipped dismissively, barely glancing at him.

  Vivian ignored the barb, explaining quickly to Lucas. "Mochi was in love with Noah—" she paused, noting Noah's visible flinch before continuing firmly, "but she sabotaged Noah's interrogation with Sammy just to get at me.

  Raising the alarm wasn't necessary. She did it deliberately, knowing Noah would run out of time. The only reason she'd take that risk is if she already has what Noah needs."

  Lucas’s eyes narrowed with understanding.

  Noah straightened slowly, resolve darkening his expression. "Well," he said quietly, dangerously, "now we have even more reason to find her."

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  “I need to tie up some loose ends with Black Lotus, and then I’ll be back.” Lucas promised quietly. “Are you sure you’ll be okay here? I can send you back to your dorm.”

  Vivian nodded, “there will be too many questions if anyone sees me…like this.”

  Lucas had nodded, understanding.

  Moments later, Vivian watched Lucas disappear through the apartment door, his determined steps echoing faintly down the hallway before silence settled heavily back into the room. She slowly shifted her gaze back toward Noah, who stood motionless by the window, his shoulders tense beneath his shirt. It was easier when Noah was harsh, manipulative—when his words were edged with threats, and his motives clear in their ruthlessness. She could handle his cruelty, navigate the familiar terrain of power games and dominance. But this unexpected uncertainty, the hesitant softness he had shown, unsettled her far more deeply. Vivian hesitated, anxiety tightening her chest, but the lingering questions had grown impossible to ignore.

  "Noah," she began softly, voice steady despite the turmoil beneath her carefully maintained calm. "I need to ask you something."

  He turned slowly to face her, his dark gaze searching her face intently. "What is it?"

  She drew a measured breath, willing her heartbeat to slow. Her fingers curled tightly into her palms, nails pressing sharply into skin as she spoke. "I need to know why you are doing this." She paused, collecting herself before continuing, her voice tight with barely concealed vulnerability. "I don’t understand you. You saved me, and then you left me to get framed, and then you led me to the alley, and then you threatened me, but now, you’re acting as if you care…" She paused again, exhausted by the weight of everything. "Look, I just want to find Serena. And right now, I need the games to stop, just for a bit."

  Her voice cracked, raw and vulnerable. Noah watched her closely, eyes unreadable as he absorbed her words. Vivian looked away briefly, steadying herself before continuing, her voice quieter but no less intense.

  "If this is another game, you need to give me a second. After Vince, after Orchard Alley, after this…I just need a second. Then you can play whatever game you like. But I need to find Serena, and I don’t think I have it in me to handle much more than this right now."

  She swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold his gaze despite the ache in her throat, despite the fear that admitting this weakness could be a mistake. Noah remained silent, but his eyes darkened subtly, reflecting emotions she couldn’t fully decipher. Slowly, carefully, he stepped toward her, stopping just short of breaching the fragile space she’d created.

  "Tonight wasn’t a game," he said quietly, voice rough with an honesty that startled her. "That time at Orchard Alley…that was manipulation. That was control. Even then, I let it go too far. But tonight, I fucked up. I wasn’t playing games—I failed you."

  The raw guilt in his voice shattered something within her, leaving her defenses exposed and fragile. Vivian searched his eyes desperately, instinctively looking for deceit or manipulation, but saw only stark, uncomfortable sincerity. It frightened her more deeply than his carefully masked lies ever had.

  Noah studied her carefully, then spoke quietly, his tone controlled but earnest. "Do you remember the St Petersburg Paradox?"

  Vivian tensed slightly, recalling the moment vividly. Noah continued, his gaze unwavering. "It’s impossible to quantify infinite expected value."

  I know there’s no reason for you to trust me.

  "And at face value," Noah continued, his eyes never leaving hers, "humans would think the wager is irrational."

  Because honestly, I’ve given you every reason to not trust me.

  Vivian stared at him, the memory sharp and immediate, every word from their debate returning vividly. Noah’s expression was serious, unflinching. He continued softly, carefully: "But let’s say they’re wrong. The wager isn’t irrational, just people."

  But still, even if there’s no good reason, I need you to give me a chance.

  Vivian studied him silently, processing the hidden meaning in his words. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "You want me to risk everything?"

  Noah shook his head gently, eyes still locked onto hers, dark and intense. "No, I’ll take whatever you’re willing to pay."

  Even if it’s just a little, trust me.

  Vivian stared at him, something quiet settling deep in her chest. She didn’t answer, couldn’t answer.