As Lira began to share her interests and hobbies with Ethan, she couldn't shake off the feeling that he was probing for more than just small talk. His questions seemed innocent enough, but his piercing gaze made her feel like he was searching for something specific.
Ethan listened intently, his smile growing wider as Lira spoke about her passion for photography. But when she mentioned her favorite photographer, he leaned in, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"Ah, you're a fan of Ansel Adams?" he said, his voice low and smooth. "I've always admired his work too."
Lira's instincts told her that Ethan's interest in photography was genuine, but she still sensed an underlying motive. She tried to brush it off as paranoia, but her guard remained up.
As the conversation continued, Lira found herself both drawn to and wary of Ethan. There was something about him that seemed familiar, yet she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Meanwhile, Ethan's mind was racing with calculations. He'd been searching for Felix's ward for weeks, and finally, he'd found her. Lira's resemblance to someone from his past was uncanny, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was connected to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Felix's past.
As the evening drew to a close, Ethan stood up, his eyes locking onto Lira's. "It was lovely meeting you, Lira," he said, his smile charming. "I hope we can catch up again soon."
Lira nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. As Ethan left, she turned to Felix, who was watching from the doorway.
"What's going on, Felix?" Lira asked, her voice low. "Why did Ethan really come here?"
Felix's expression turned guarded, and he hesitated before speaking. "Let's talk about it later, Lira. For now, let's just enjoy the evening."
But Lira's curiosity was piqued. She knew that Felix was hiding something, and she was determined to uncover the truth...