Returning to this subtropical town, Mike felt a surge of conflicting emotions—strangely familiar, yet unsettlingly foreign. The air was thick with humid heat, tinged with the salt of the sea breeze, making him frown involuntarily. Coconut palms swayed languidly along the main street, while the heavy atmosphere pressed down like an invisible curtain. Only upon entering the hotel lobby did the sudden chill of air-conditioning briefly lift the oppressive weight.

The bidding event was being held at the hotel where Lea worked. All experts participating in the evaluation were gathered on the top floor. To prevent any possibility of cheating, the bidding committee had even reserved every room on that floor. With Lea’s assistance, Mike and his four colleagues were lodged on the fifth floor, tasked with submitting bid documents and preparing for both technical and commercial clarifications.

That afternoon, in a quiet corridor, Mike drew Lea aside to a secluded corner. His brow furrowed, voice lowered to a whisper:

“As the lobby manager, can you freely access the floor where the evaluation group is staying?”

His eyes flicked nervously down the hallway as he spoke, his fingers unconsciously curling into fists.

Lea blinked, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Of course. What do you need?” She crossed her arms, leaning forward slightly, curiosity dancing in her gaze.

Mike inhaled sharply, his tone tinged with urgency. “If anything unfavorable happens during the evaluation, could you pass word to me right away?”

Lea hesitated for a moment, then smiled with quiet confidence. “That’s easy. My classmate Bob is on the evaluation panel—he even greeted me just now.” She shrugged, as if this request was no more troublesome than borrowing a pen.

Mike shook his head, his frown deepening. “He won’t tell you something like that.”

Lea’s eyes glinted mischievously as she tilted her chin. “You don’t know him. He’s been after me for ages. If I ask, he won’t refuse.” She flicked a lock of hair behind her ear with practiced ease.

Mike fell silent for a moment, then added, voice low: “Randy already arranged with Minister Lee to pass information to us. But he needs a phone, since everyone had theirs confiscated. Just slip him this spare.” He pulled a phone from his pocket, hand trembling slightly as he offered it.

Lea took it and nodded firmly. “Alright, I’ll handle it.”

________________________________________

In Randy’s room, the atmosphere was taut as a wire ready to snap. The air reeked of bitter coffee and the salty dampness of sweat.

“Damn that Lee! Three days and not a word!” Randy roared, slamming his fist onto the desk with a dull, resonant thud. His face was flushed crimson, veins bulging at his temples.

Deputy General Manager Mia sat stiffly on the sofa, fingers knotted around her skirt hem. Her voice quavered. “Could the phone have died…?”

“Impossible!” Randy snapped, spinning toward her. “After Lea gave him the phone, he sent me a message: ‘I’ve got this, don’t worry.’ It was brand new, fully charged—standby for a week at least!” His chest heaved as he ranted, anger and panic boiling over.

Mia exhaled heavily, rubbing her temples. “If we lose contact, and the results go against us, even the Chairman won’t be able to pull strings.” Her voice carried a thread of despair.

Randy wheeled around to Mike, eyes almost pleading. “Have Lea try again. See if it works.”

Mike hesitated, his frown deepening, but finally gave a reluctant nod. “Alright, I’ll ask her.”

He dialed Lea’s number, his tone low and strained. “Randy failed. Lee won’t budge.”

Before he could say more, Lea cut him off, her tone crisp and unwavering: “Then I’ll go to Bob. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of it.” Her breath came quick over the line, the sound of someone already resolved.

________________________________________

After the call, Mike leaned against the window, staring out at palm fronds rustling in the sea breeze. His thoughts tangled in knots.

He hated himself for using Lea’s feelings, but the project’s outcome—and his own career—were at stake. The image of Lotus at Pizza Hut suddenly resurfaced: her insistence on paying interest, her wary, distant gaze. For the first time, he had realized how swiftly money could carve boundaries sharper than love. She feared unconditional giving because it meant surrendering control; he, naively, believed love was selfless.

Now, the contrast cut deep. Lotus had shielded herself with caution, while Lea, out of love, was walking willingly across forbidden lines. Money and affection carried vastly different meanings, depending on whose hands they fell into.

________________________________________

Lea stepped out of the elevator, breath unsteady, cheeks flushed with urgency. Down the hall, Bob emerged from the conference room, fatigue etched into his features. Yet the moment he saw her, his eyes lit up, exhaustion evaporating into a smile of open delight.

“Lea!” he exclaimed.

“I need to talk,” she said quickly, her voice low but urgent.

Bob glanced around, then ushered her into his room, closing the door firmly behind them. “What is it?” he asked, brows knitted.

Lea drew a breath and spoke plainly: “I need to know the evaluation progress. Who’s leading?” Her teeth pressed into her lower lip, but her eyes held steady.

Bob’s face hardened instantly. He stepped back, his tone sharp. “Who sent you? Do you realize the risk?”

“No one forced me,” Lea whispered, voice trembling with emotion. “I want to help him.” Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes, but her determination did not falter.

Bob’s stern expression softened into weary resignation. He exhaled, shoulders slumping. “I can only tell you roughly. No notes, no records, and you mustn’t spread it further.”

Lea nodded earnestly. But as he turned away, her fingers brushed her pocket, pressing the record button on her phone. Her hand trembled, yet a faint, relieved smile broke across her face.

________________________________________

Less than half an hour later, Warren, chairman of the investment firm, placed a direct call to the evaluation committee chairman.

“The investors are only interested in one engineering company. If the results deviate from my expectations, I will consider delaying the investment.”

His deep, commanding voice brooked no dispute.

The evaluation committee chairman’s face drained of color. The pen slipped from his grasp, clattering against the floor and rolling into the corner. Cold sweat dampened his brow as silence enveloped the room, broken only by the hollow buzz of the line gone dead.