The Li estate sprawled across a hillside outside the city, a fortress of glass and stone that screamed wealth and control. The rain had stopped, leaving the air heavy with the scent of pine and wet earth. Adrian's car wound up the private road, Mei Lin in the passenger seat, her knife tucked discreetly under her jacket.
"You grew up here?" she asked, eyeing the manicured gardens and towering gates. "No wonder you're so uptight."
Adrian's lips quirked. "It's not exactly a playground."
"Clearly," she said, leaning back. "Bet you never snuck out to eat street food."
He glanced at her, his expression softening. "I might've. Once or twice."
Her eyes widened, mock-shocked. "Adrian Li, rebel? Tell me more."
He chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Maybe later. If you behave."
She gasped, clutching her chest. "Me? Behave? Never."
Their laughter filled the car, a brief escape from the storm of their reality. The hum pulsed gently, as if content with their ease. But as the gates opened, the weight of the moment returned.
Inside, the estate was a maze of marble and silence. Adrian's mother, Cassandra Li, waited in a high-ceilinged study, her silver hair swept into a severe bun, her eyes sharp as cut glass. She barely glanced at Mei Lin, focusing on her son.
"You're late," Cassandra said, her voice like ice.
"Busy night," Adrian replied, his tone equally cool. "What's this about a match?"
Cassandra's gaze flicked to Mei Lin, dismissive. "This is a family matter."
Mei Lin smirked, unfazed. "I'm family-adjacent. Spill."
Adrian shot her a warning look, but his mother's expression didn't change. "The family needs stability, Adrian. The Li name carries weight, and you've been reckless. I've chosen a partner for you—Lydia Chen, heiress to Chen Industries. She's suitable."
Mei Lin's stomach twisted, the hum flaring with a sharp sting. She kept her face neutral, but her fingers tightened on her knife's hilt under her jacket.
Adrian's voice was steel. "I'm not a chess piece, Mother. And this isn't about marriage. It's about Lupus."
Cassandra's eyes narrowed. "You've been digging."
"I found the folder," he said. "And the Spark. It's awake."
For the first time, Cassandra's composure cracked, her hand tightening on her chair. "You don't understand what you're dealing with."
"Then tell me," Adrian said, stepping closer. "Because it's not just about me. It's about her." He nodded at Mei Lin, his voice softening. "She's part of this."
Cassandra's gaze finally settled on Mei Lin, assessing. "so little brat You're the anomaly."
Mei Lin raised an eyebrow. "Flattering. Care to explain?"
Cassandra ignored her, turning to Adrian. "Elena Grey was a visionary. She used our family's blood to stabilize the Spark. But it wasn't enough. They needed a second source—someone untainted by our lineage."
Mei Lin's breath caught. "You're saying I'm… what? A lab experiment?"
"yes a experiment but not truly," Cassandra said. "A key."
The hum roared, shaking the room's chandeliers. Mei Lin staggered, and Adrian caught her, his hands steady on her shoulders. The connection grounded them both, the hum softening to a warm pulse.
Cassandra watched, her expression unreadable. "You're already bound. Be careful, Adrian. The Spark doesn't just connect—it consumes."