Jillian sat at her desk, flipping through the last few pages of her notes. The lamplight cast a warm glow over her study space, but her mind was already on tomorrow. The first step toward securing her future.
A gentle knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she said, expecting Leo or Dante. Instead, her grandmother stepped inside, her silver hair neatly pinned, her presence calm yet firm.
"You should rest," her grandmother said, glancing at the stack of books.
"I will… soon." Jillian closed one of the books but kept her hand resting on it. "I just need to go through a few more things."
Her grandmother settled into the chair beside her. "Your mind is strong, Jillian. But strength isn't just about knowing all the answers—it's about knowing when to trust yourself."
Jillian sighed. "I just—this exam means everything. If I get into Tingshua, I'll have a real chance to build my own future. Away from all this."
Her grandmother studied her for a moment before speaking. "You remind me of your mother when she was your age."
Jillian tensed slightly. "Really?"
"She was determined, just like you. She wanted to carve her own path, but she also carried a heavy burden." Her grandmother reached for Jillian's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know you're carrying a lot, too. But promise me, whatever happens, don't let the past weigh you down so much that you forget to live."
Jillian swallowed hard. "I promise."
Her grandmother smiled. "Good. Now, get some sleep. You'll do great tomorrow."
As the door closed behind her, Jillian took a deep breath. Her grandmother was right. The past was always there, but tomorrow… tomorrow was her chance to take control of her future.
The morning air was crisp as Jillian stepped out of the house, her exam materials neatly tucked into her bag. Her grandmother had already wished her luck, reminding her to stay calm and trust in her preparation.
As she walked toward the exam venue, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. It was a paranoia she had developed over time—too many enemies, too many secrets. But today wasn't about that. Today was about her future.
Arriving at the test center, she found herself surrounded by other students, all anxiously reviewing notes or staring into space, lost in thought. Jillian took a deep breath and walked inside.
She settled into her assigned seat, scanning the exam paper as soon as it was placed in front of her. The questions were challenging but familiar. She had studied for this. She could do this.
Hours passed in focused silence. The only sounds were the scratch of pens on paper and the occasional shuffle of exam proctors.
Finally, time was up. Jillian put down her pen, stretching her fingers as the papers were collected. A wave of exhaustion hit her, but beneath it was a sense of relief. No matter the outcome, she had given it her all.
As she stepped outside, the weight of the test lifted slightly—only to be replaced by another concern. In the crowd, a familiar face caught her attention.
Harlond Smith.
He wasn't close, but he was watching. And the moment their eyes met, he turned and walked away.
Jillian's stomach tightened. He was still keeping tabs on her. But why? Had he finally realized she wasn't done digging?
She took a steadying breath. One battle was over. Another was just beginning.
Jillian woke up early, determined to make the most of her free day before the next exam. She organized her study materials, reviewing her notes and working through practice questions. The weight of her future rested on these exams, and she couldn't afford any distractions.
As she sat at her desk, flipping through pages of formulas and historical events, her grandmother entered the room with a tray of tea and some light snacks.
"You've been working hard," her grandmother said, placing the tray beside her. "But don't forget to rest your mind, too. Overworking yourself won't help you remember things better."
Jillian smiled but didn't look up. "I know, Grandma, but I need to do well. This is my chance to move forward."
Her grandmother sighed, sitting beside her. "I just hope you're doing this for yourself, not to prove something to others."
Jillian hesitated. She knew what her grandmother was really asking. Was she focused on her future, or was her past still pulling her back?
"I just want to make the right choices," she finally said, taking a sip of tea.
The day passed with intense studying, interrupted only by short breaks and a few messages from Dante and Leo, who were still keeping an eye on things outside her academic world. But for now, Jillian tried to push everything else aside. Tomorrow was another challenge, and she had to be ready.
******
Jillian woke up before dawn, the morning air crisp as she prepared for the second day of her exams. Today's subject was one of the toughest, requiring precision and deep understanding. She went over her notes one last time while sipping on a cup of tea her grandmother had left for her.
As she arrived at the exam hall, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Some students whispered last-minute formulas to themselves, while others paced nervously. Jillian, however, remained calm. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
The exam began, and as she flipped open the paper, her heart raced for a moment. Then, she focused. The questions were challenging but not impossible. She worked through them methodically, remembering the countless hours she had spent preparing.
Halfway through, she glanced at the clock. Time was moving fast. Ignoring the distractions around her, she pressed on, writing each answer with careful thought.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the session, Jillian put down her pen and exhaled deeply. As she walked out of the exam hall, she met the eyes of a few classmates—some looked relieved, others worried.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A message from Leo: "How did it go?"
Jillian smirked, typing back, "Survived. Two more to go."
As she left the school, she knew she had done her best. Now, it was time to prepare for the next challenge.
With two days free before her next exam, Jillian decided to shift her focus back to the investigation. She met up with Leo and Dante at the abandoned warehouse, where they had set up their temporary base. The moment she walked in, she could tell they had been busy. Papers, maps, and a laptop screen filled with encrypted files covered the table.
Leo looked up from his screen, smirking. "Look who finally decided to show up. How was the exam?"
Jillian rolled her eyes as she sat down. "Not bad. Now, what do we have?"
Dante leaned forward, sliding a document toward her. "We've been digging into Harlond's recent activities. He's been meeting with some interesting people—private investors, high-ranking officials, and a few names that don't belong in legal business."
Jillian scanned the paper, her brows furrowing. "So he hasn't been sitting still. What about Camilla? Anything new?"
Leo nodded. "She's been keeping a low profile, but there was a recent purchase made under her name—a property just outside the city. Could be a hideout or something more."
Jillian tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought. "We need to find out what she's hiding. And if my father is making deals with criminals, we need proof."
Dante crossed his arms. "It won't be easy. They're careful, and we're running on limited time."
Jillian smirked. "Then we'd better make these two days count."
With that, they got to work, determined to uncover the truth before she had to return to her exams.