"I have to be quick! That man, whoever he is… must be waiting in the room."

A teenage girl murmured, her appearance stunning that night. The sound of her high heels echoed through the quiet hotel corridor. Her steps were rushed. The beautiful face—known to the world as Laura.

She stopped in front of the lobby restroom, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. Taking a deep and heavy breath, she pushed the door open with determination.

Laura's sharp gaze immediately locked onto another girl her age, standing at the sink, applying a deep red lipstick to her already rosy lips. Her makeup was thick, her aura confident.

Laura smirked as she observed the girl. She knew exactly who she was—Mira, her wild and infamous schoolmate. Mira smirked back upon realizing Laura's presence behind her.

"Hello, Mira?" Laura greeted, her voice sweet and inviting.

"Do we know each other?" Mira frowned, watching Laura through the mirror, making no effort to turn around.

Laura's smile remained unchanged. "Yes, we do… We used to."

"Hummpph!" Mira gasped as a cloth suddenly pressed over her mouth.

"Sshh, relax, sweetheart. Let me take over your job tonight." Laura whispered right next to Mira's ear. She had moved swiftly, grabbing the girl from behind and pressing a damp cloth over her mouth and nose.

Mira struggled, but only for a moment. Her body gradually weakened until she finally went limp.

Laura dragged Mira to the nearest stall, placing her unconscious body onto the closed toilet seat. She then gathered all of Mira's belongings from the sink, wiping away any traces of her action. Everything was stashed away in the stall, along with Mira.

"Laura… I know… You're Laura, right?" Mira mumbled weakly. She wasn't fully unconscious yet.

"Shit!" Laura cursed, pulling out another handkerchief soaked in chloroform. She quickly pressed it against Mira's face again, ensuring this time she wouldn't wake up too soon.

"Damn, you're tougher than I thought, Mira." Laura sighed, searching through Mira's pockets and finally finding what she was looking for—her phone.

With Mira's fingerprint, the lock screen opened. Laura's eyes narrowed as she read the last message from a contact named The Dark Game:

[Norrington Hotel, 1507, Don't be late.]

"Hmm, alright! Let's see how rich your client is tonight, The Dark Game!" Laura muttered.

She adjusted her slightly disheveled dress and hair from the brief struggle. A smirk widened across her lips as she glanced at Mira one last time before striding confidently out of the restroom.

---

Ting!

The elevator doors opened, revealing the fifteenth floor. Laura stepped out with unwavering confidence, walking along the corridor lined with deep purple velvet carpet.

Tap!

Her steps halted in front of a door. 1507.

Her sharp eyes stared at the number, her mind racing to steady herself before taking the next step. With a firm knock, she waited.

A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a well-built man in a neat suit.

"Yes? Can I help you?" The man asked, his voice calm as he looked at Laura, who instantly froze.

Her confidence crumbled in an instant.

Because Laura knew him very well.

"Mr. Calvin?" she gasped internally, recognizing her school's IT teacher—the one she had secretly admired.

"Damn it! So he's part of the organization too? How could I have missed this?" Disappointment surged through her, but she couldn't afford to show any emotions now.

Laura forced a small, polite smile.

"Miss? Is there a problem?" Calvin's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"Hmm, no. Oh, I mean… sorry for keeping you waiting." She replied with a playful, flirtatious tone. She could only hope he wouldn't recognize her in the sleek, black evening dress she wore.

Calvin frowned, studying her carefully. Something about her felt oddly familiar. But he couldn't quite place where he had seen her before.

"What do you mean? Who are you?" he asked again.

Laura smiled faintly. "I'm no one," she said, stepping into the room without waiting for permission.

Calvin stood frozen for a moment, surprised but not stopping her.

"Miss, I think you entered the wrong room," he said, glancing at the empty hallway outside before closing the door.

Laura ignored him, walking leisurely to the minibar. She opened the small fridge filled with bottles. "Want something light? I can make you a drink," she offered without looking at him.

Calvin crossed his arms, still standing near the door in a guarded stance. "What are you looking for?" His voice was flat, but his sharp gaze never left her.

He couldn't deny it—the way her dress elegantly draped over her long legs made her look mesmerizing.

"Hmm, what am I looking for? Maybe… an adventure," Laura mused playfully, pouring juice into a glass. Swiftly, she added a few drops of a clear liquid from a tiny bottle she had hidden in her pocket. She turned around, stirring the glass with her slender finger.

"Or maybe… something more than that, Mr. Calvin."

She handed him the glass, her gaze both alluring and challenging.

Calvin hesitated, studying the girl in front of him. Then, without a word, he brought the glass to his lips and took a sip.

"Good. Now we don't have to waste time with small talk, sir," Laura murmured, though deep down, the disappointment still lingered.

Silence stretched between them for a few seconds. Then, Calvin smirked faintly. His body swayed slightly, his eyelids growing heavy. Moments later, he collapsed onto the sofa, motionless.

Laura exhaled, setting her own glass down. "Idiot," she muttered, immediately searching his pockets. She pulled out his wallet and phone.

"Tch! I thought you were different. Turns out, you're just like the others, Mr. Calvin!" she scoffed, stuffing the stolen items into her small silver purse.

"At least I taught you a lesson! One day, you'll remember that it was your own student who robbed you tonight!"

As she turned to leave, a firm grip suddenly caught her wrist.

Her eyes widened in shock, her heartbeat pounding wildly.

"Where do you think you're going with all that, Abby?" Calvin's voice was low but firm.

He knew her.

Abby—the nerdy student at school who always looked plain but had an exceptionally sharp mind.

Laura swallowed hard, trying to pull her hand away, but Calvin's grip tightened.

"Sir… You were faking it the whole time?"

"And you were faking innocence all along," Calvin countered with a smirk.

Laura clenched her jaw.

She had just realized—her game had turned far more dangerous than she ever anticipated.

---

(To be continued.)