The early morning air was sharp, the cold stinging Erik's skin as he stood in the garden, his hand clenching the note Viktor had slipped under his door. Time's up. Watch your back. It was a threat as much as a reminder. Viktor was giving him no more time to think, no more room for indecisiveness. Every second counted, and every move Erik made from here on would be under Viktor's watchful eyes.The tension in the air was palpable, an almost tangible force pressing down on Erik's chest. His body still ached from the earlier confrontation, ribs throbbing with every breath, but the pain was secondary to the storm of thoughts brewing inside him. How had it come to this?Erik had spent years playing the game—manipulating, maneuvering, staying three steps ahead of his enemies. But now, Viktor was challenging him in a way no one else had. This wasn't about brute force. It was about control, and Viktor had made it clear that Erik was slipping.Erik turned the crumpled note over in his hand, his mind racing through possible scenarios. Viktor would be watching him closely now, waiting for any sign of weakness, any hesitation. The hospital had become a point of contention, but Viktor didn't care about its success or failure. To him, it was simply leverage—a tool to push Erik to make a move. And if Erik didn't act soon, Viktor would take matters into his own hands, leaving destruction in his wake.The door to the study creaked open behind him, breaking his thoughts. Erik stiffened, slipping the note into his pocket. He turned to find Aiko standing in the doorway, her soft silhouette framed by the dim light of the early dawn."I couldn't sleep," she said, her voice gentle but laced with concern. Her eyes searched his face, her brow furrowed with worry. "Is everything alright?"Erik forced a smile, though his insides twisted with guilt. How could he explain everything to her? How could he make her understand the pile of deceit he had been caught in for years, the danger that now surrounded them both?"Just... working through some details for the hospital," Erik lied smoothly, his voice steady, though his heart pounded in his chest. "A lot of moving pieces to keep track of."Aiko stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm. Her touch was warm, comforting, but it also reminded him of the weight of the secrets he carried. She had been through so much already—her family's betrayal, the sabotage attempts on the hospital—and now, Viktor's shadow loomed over them, threatening to tear apart everything she had worked for."You don't have to do this alone, Erik," she said softly, her eyes meeting his with unwavering trust. "Whatever it is, I want to be there for you, the same way you are for me."Erik swallowed hard, his heart aching at her words. She trusted him completely, and yet, he was keeping the most dangerous truths from her. How could he tell her that the very man he once followed, his mentor, was now the greatest threat to everything she held dear?"I know," he whispered, cupping her face gently, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. "But there are some things I need to handle myself. It's safer that way."Aiko frowned, clearly not convinced, but she nodded nonetheless. She trusted him, even when he couldn't fully explain himself. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself too, Erik."He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I promise."With a soft sigh, Aiko gave him one last lingering look before retreating back to the hallway. Erik watched her go, the weight of his secrets pressing down on him even harder. She didn't deserve to be caught up in this mess. She deserved better than the lies and the danger that followed him like a shadow.Once the door clicked shut behind her, Erik exhaled slowly, the tension in his body returning. There was no time to waste. He moved quickly back to the desk, spreading out the papers he had been studying. Maps, reports, and intelligence gathered over weeks of careful planning. Every detail had to be perfect if he was going to outmaneuver Viktor and protect Aiko's hospital.His plan was risky—too risky, perhaps—but it was the only way to get Viktor off his back while keeping Aiko and the hospital safe. He had contacts in Aruna's government, people who owed him favors, people who could help him expose Nordhaven's interests in a way that wouldn't trace back to him. If he could manipulate the information just right, he could make it look like a third party was behind the leak. Viktor would be forced to react, buying Erik more time to complete his mission on his own terms.But there was one problem: Hiroshi.Across the estate, Sayuri Takamura was sitting at her vanity, her fingers tracing the delicate pearls around her neck. The cool, smooth texture calmed her, reminding her of the power she held, even in the shadows. She had always been overlooked, the reckless younger sister in Aiko's perfect, polished shadow. But she wasn't going to let that define her anymore.She had made a mistake with Hiroshi, yes, but that didn't mean she was going to let Aiko win. Aiko had taken everything from her—their parents' love, their respect, the future that should have been hers. But Sayuri had found a way to turn that mistake into an opportunity.Her eyes flicked toward the door, waiting for the familiar knock. When it came, a slow smile spread across her lips."Come in," she called, her voice silky smooth.Hiroshi stepped inside, his face pale and drawn, as if the weight of his own decisions was finally catching up with him. He had been distant since the scandal broke, avoiding Sayuri as much as he could. But Sayuri had learned long ago how to play the long game."Hiroshi," she said sweetly, rising from her chair and gliding toward him. "I've been wondering when you'd come to see me.""I didn't come to chat, Sayuri," Hiroshi said flatly, his eyes flicking away from hers. "We need to talk."Sayuri's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Talk? About what? You've made your decision, haven't you?"Hiroshi's jaw tightened, the guilt clear in his eyes. "I made a mistake," he muttered. "But Aiko... she still doesn't deserve this."Sayuri laughed, though the sound was hollow. "Deserve what? Her perfect life? Her dream of a hospital that's going to change the world? You and I both know she's too naive to survive in this world, Hiroshi. You saw it yourself—she's too trusting. Too soft."Hiroshi's face darkened. "I'm not going to help you destroy her, Sayuri."Sayuri stepped closer, her smile turning cold. "I'm not asking you to destroy her. I'm asking you to be realistic. Aiko's hospital is a pipe dream, and it's only a matter of time before it collapses under its own weight. You've been sowing doubt with the investors already, haven't you?"Hiroshi's eyes flicked to the floor, shame washing over him. "I... I had to. There's too much at stake.""There's always too much at stake," Sayuri hissed, her voice turning venomous. "But if you want to crawl back to Aiko and beg for forgiveness, go ahead. Just know this—you'll never be more than a footnote in her story. You'll always be the man who betrayed her."Hiroshi flinched at her words, the truth of them cutting deep. He had loved Aiko once—deeply. But that love had withered in the face of his ambition, his desire for more. Sayuri was right about one thing: he would never be able to erase the stain of his betrayal.Still, a part of him wanted to try. "I'm not going to let you drag me down with you, Sayuri," he said, his voice firming. "Whatever happens with Aiko's hospital, I'm not going to sabotage her."Sayuri's eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "Fine," she said coolly. "But when it all falls apart, don't come crying to me."Back in the study, Erik had finally pieced together a plan. He scribbled notes furiously, mapping out every step. He would need to move quickly, contacting his sources in Aruna's government and feeding them just enough information to ignite suspicion about Nordhaven's involvement. If Viktor thought his hand was being forced by an outside entity, he might back off long enough for Erik to complete the mission on his terms.But even as Erik worked, the shadow of Hiroshi lingered in his mind. The man was a wildcard, and if he was plotting against Aiko, it could unravel everything. Erik would need to deal with him soon, but he couldn't afford to be reckless.As the hours passed, the sun began to rise, casting a pale light across the room. Erik rubbed his temples, exhaustion setting in, but he couldn't rest yet. There was too much at stake.A knock at the door startled him from his thoughts, and his hand instinctively moved toward the blade concealed at his side. But when the door opened, it wasn't Viktor or a threat—it was one of Haruto's trusted advisors."Lord Winterhart," the advisor said quietly, bowing slightly. "I've just received word. There are whispers that Lord Hiroshi has been meeting with certain individuals who oppose the hospital. We believe he may be planning something."Erik's blood ran cold. Hiroshi. Of course. The man was still trying to sabotage the hospital, even after everything."What kind of plan?" Erik asked, his voice sharp.The advisor hesitated. "We're not sure of the details yet, but it seems he's been speaking with investors, leading doubt about the hospital's viability. There are concerns about the financial and political risks."Erik clenched his fists, his mind racing. Hiroshi wasn't just a threat to the hospital—he was a threat to everything. If Hiroshi succeeded in turning the investors against Aiko, the entire project could collapse, and with it, Erik's carefully laid plans."Keep an eye on him," Erik said, his voice tense. "Let me know if you hear anything else."The advisor nodded and quickly left the room, leaving Erik alone once more. But now, the stakes had been raised even higher. He would need to confront Hiroshi before it was too late—before Viktor caught wind of the growing chaos and used it to his advantage.Later that evening, as Erik slipped out of the estate and into the dimly lit streets, his mind was a whirlwind of strategies and contingencies. He had a meeting to attend, a final piece of the puzzle that would set his plan in motion. But before he could reach the rendezvous, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks."Erik."The voice was low, tense, filled with a mix of anger and desperation. Erik's hand went to the blade at his side as he turned to face the figure stepping out of the shadows.It was Hiroshi."We need to talk," Hiroshi said, his eyes burning with an intensity Erik hadn't seen before. "Before it's too late."