Drake started the engine and drove off without a word — windows down, the city breeze slipping in as he sped past the streets, chasing a moment of peace. His jaw was tight, his thoughts louder than the engine.
---
Meanwhile…
Outside a sleek, modern Business Heritage Museum — a quiet place that preserved the legacies of historic corporate empires and iconic entrepreneurs — Axel stepped out into the sun, adjusting his watch and heading to his car.
Just as he was about to unlock the door, his eyes caught a familiar face in the crowd.
Seraphina Knight.
He paused, then walked toward her.
Axel: "Excuse me… aren't you Mrs. Knight?"
Seraphina turned, polite confusion on her face, followed by a kind smile.
Seraphina: "Yes?"
Axel extended his hand with a small smile.
Axel: "I'm Hazel's friend. From high school."
Seraphina took his hand, still unsure.
Seraphina: "Oh… I'm sorry. What's your name?"
Axel: "Axel."
She blinked.
Seraphina: "Hmm. Hazel hasn't mentioned you."
Axel gave a short chuckle, brushing it off.
She noticed the flicker in his expression and added warmly,
Seraphina: "Let it go, dear. Don't take it to heart. Maybe she's just… hiding things from me."
She laughed softly.
Axel: "Yeah… maybe."
He smiled back.
Seraphina: "So, do you still keep in touch with her?"
Axel: "I lost contact after school. I was her senior back then."
He chuckled. Seraphina smiled with him.
Seraphina: "And now?"
Axel: "I visited her once after I came here."
Seraphina raised a brow, teasing,
Seraphina: "Well, maybe you should take her out on a date, huh?"
Axel froze. His smile faltered.
Axel: "…What?"
Seraphina: laughing lightly "Oh, I'm just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Axel: "No, no… I thought… isn't she engaged to Lucas?"
The air shifted. Seraphina's smile dropped instantly — her expression hardening, her tone sharp.
Seraphina: "What the hell? Lucas? He's her best friend. She's like a sister to him. Who told you that nonsense?"
Axel blinked.
Axel: "I… I'm sorry. She told me that. I thought it was real."
Seraphina rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed.
Seraphina: "Tch...."
Axel: "I'm sorry. I guess she was just messing with me. It was my mistake."
She exhaled, cooling down slightly but clearly still irked.
Seraphina: "It's fine. I have to go now. Bye, Axel."
Axel: "Bye, ma'am."
He watched as she walked away — her steps sharp, her heels echoing.
Axel stood there… the wind brushing past as he tried to piece together what had just happened.
Axel started his car, jaw clenched, and drove straight to Royal Empire Headquarters — this time, not to wait, but to face her directly.
When he arrived, he stepped out of the car and strode toward the entrance.
Just then, Hazel emerged with her assistant, discussing something while flipping through a file. The moment her eyes landed on Axel, she literally rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply.
Axel stepped forward, blocking her way.
Hazel glanced at her assistant.
Without a word, her assistant nodded and stepped away, sensing exactly what was about to happen.
Hazel turned to him, voice sharp and dry.
Hazel: "What do you want?"
Axel: "Uhm… why are you so angry?"
Hazel sighed and pulled on a sarcastic, overly sweet smile.
Hazel: "Why are you here, Axel?"
He rolled his eyes at her mocking tone.
Axel: "I want to know one truth."
Hazel: "And what truth would that be?"
Axel: "Why did you lie to me? About you and Lucas. That you were engaged."
Hazel didn't hesitate.
Hazel: "So? Yeah, I lied to you. Don't you know why?"
She took a step closer, her tone flat and unapologetic.
Hazel: "I wanted to ignore you. That's it."
Axel stared at her, speechless for a second — searching her face for even a flicker of regret. But there was none. Only clarity.
Axel: "Why? Did you hate me that much? But why?"
Hazel's eyes didn't flinch.
Hazel: "Listen, Axel. If you want revenge, go straight to him. Take it out on him. Don't try to use me as part of your plan. I have nothing to do with what happened. Not with him. Not with anything."
Axel stood there — silent… stunned.