Elena’s POV

A maid burst through the smoke-faded garden, half dragging, half shoving Silvia out from behind the wall.

Silvia’s shrieks split the air, wild and frantic, her limbs flailing so wildly she nearly knocked the maid over. Dirt streaked her clothes, and her hair stuck to her face in thin, panicked strands.

The moment President Yu’s gaze landed on her, all that noise cut in half. Silvia froze like a rabbit caught under a hawk’s shadow. Her breaths came in short, terrified ...