Grace Nan's diary was thin.

Each page held secrets.

Evelyn Ross turned to the first page.

The date was ten years ago.

"They abandoned me. Because I was too foolish. A peaceful life here with my adoptive parents, far from that terrifying world, might be the best ending."

Seven years ago.

"Traveled to San Francisco. Met a girl who looked exactly like me. Her name is Evelyn Ross. She was working a part-time job. So she is my biological younger sister. My adoptive parents aren't my real parents, so they abandoned me so easily."

Five years ago.

"Found out the truth. Mom escaped from them. Can't let them discover my sister and Mom. They would kill my sister and take Mom away."

A chill ran down Evelyn's spine.

Her mother had already been taken.

And her sister had indeed been killed.

She sat up straight, her expression grave.

Three years ago.

"They haven't given up on me. Issued the first command. Ridiculous. They actually want me to use the most important person in my life."

Evelyn remembered Mina Sherwood's words.

Mina had said Grace couldn't complete the first task because it involved someone important.

Evelyn thought that person was Zack Davis.

But the next page read:

"I will never use Mina. She is my only friend. I'd rather cut ties than drag her into this whirlpool."

Evelyn froze.

Her eyes suddenly felt hot.

She always thought Grace was boy-crazy, abandoning her best friend for a man.

But that wasn't true.

Grace never betrayed their friendship.

She gripped the diary tightly.

She thought of her sister, whom she had only met once, and those gentle, timid eyes.

Her sister was so resilient deep down.

Evelyn forced back her tears and continued reading.

Another page from three years ago.

"I know Zack is using me. But choosing him is the only way to make them believe my cowardice is hopeless. Cowardice is my camouflage. To have peace, I must not show any capability."

Grace's marriage to Zack was just a calculated move.

There was no boy-crazy behavior at all.

Two years ago.

"Couldn't resist going to San Francisco. Saw my sister again. Her life is hard, but at least she's safe. Impersonated her and registered the marriage with Alexander Vance. With the Vance family's protection, she'll have a fighting chance if her identity is exposed."

One year ago.

The handwriting was messy, filled with fear.

"I was wrong. My understanding of them is too superficial. They are everywhere! They penetrate everything! They will find my sister eventually. I don't know if the Vance family can protect her. I won't go to San Francisco anymore. I can't implicate my sister and Mom."

Six months ago.

"Sad. They are ordering me to complete tasks again. Finish the first one, then comes the second. I don't want my life to be like clearing game levels. I don't want my friend to be manipulated. I don't want Chloe to repeat my fate. I'm a failure. I pushed away my only friend. Blocked all contact methods. I should have done this four years ago. Mina, do you hate me? Will you forget me?"

Two months ago.

"Sister, don't get a divorce! Don't get a divorce!"

The diary wasn't long.

But Evelyn understood.

All of Grace's cowardice was an act.

She used her frail body to protect everyone.

If Evelyn hadn't sought a divorce, Grace wouldn't have gone to San Francisco, wouldn't have attracted attention, and their mother wouldn't have been taken...

Evelyn clenched the diary.

Who were they? What were they doing? Why did they abandon Grace?

She had found a way.

Break Grace's facade of cowardice.

Make them see Grace is no longer a discarded pawn.

Then follow the trail to rescue her mother.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes, tapping the desk lightly.

After a long moment, she locked the diary and sank into thought.

A knock sounded at the door.

Alexander Vance stood at the entrance, his gaze deep.

He was a man of few words. Sensing her troubled mood, he approached and asked softly, "Time to pick up Chloe from school?"

Evelyn checked the time. 4 PM.

She stood up. "Let's go."

The guilt she felt toward her sister could only be eased by being there for Chloe.

Alexander had changed into athletic wear, looking completely different from his usual suited self.

He drove Evelyn to the preschool.

Chloe was two, attending an early learning class.

School ended at 4:30.

All the other children had been picked up. Chloe was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Evelyn grew puzzled, Chloe was pushed out by her teacher, crying.

The teacher was impatient. "Hurry up!"

Chloe trembled, crying silently.

Evelyn's anger flared.

The teacher saw her. Instead of looking guilty, her face darkened. "Chloe's parent? Take her home immediately! Don't bring her back tomorrow! She's expelled!"