Her fans, who had once been silent, began to rise again.

"So what if she used someone else’s voice?"

"She had no choice!"

"She’s still talented!"

"She just wanted to live her life!"

Support flooded in like a wave, drowning out the accusations.

But not everyone was convinced.

Lucian narrowed his eyes as he watched the entire situation unfold.

’Too perfect,’ he thought coldly.

Without hesitation, he created another post.

"If that’s true," he wrote, "then why didn’t she keep a low profile?"

His words were sharp and precise.

"Why continue to promote herself as an all-around genius?"

The question struck where it hurt the most.

The moment the post went live, people began to pause again.

Then, agreement. Doubt resurfaced.

The backlash returned just as quickly as it had disappeared.

When Thessy saw the post, her face darkened instantly.

Her fingers clenched tightly around her phone.

"That person again..." she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with anger.

For the past six months, this anonymous account had been relentlessly targeting her, exposing flaws, raising questions, and tearing apart her carefully constructed image.

’It’s like a detective obsessed with ruining me,’ she thought bitterly.

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to calm herself.

Finally, she made a decision.

’I need Lucian’s help.’

She walked down the quiet corridor.

Knock. Knock.

The door opened.

Lucian stood there, fresh out of the shower, his hair still damp, a faint scent of soap lingering in the air.

A bathrobe covered him completely, yet there was no hiding the solid build beneath it.

Thessy’s eyes lingered for a brief moment before she smiled faintly.

"I need a favor," she said.

Lucian gave a small nod and began to close the door.

But Thessy quickly stopped it with her hand and stepped inside without waiting for permission.

She let out a soft chuckle as she walked further in, then casually sat down on his bed, crossing her legs with deliberate confidence.

"I want to make a deal," she said, her tone lowering.

Lucian glanced at her but said nothing.

Thessy leaned slightly forward, her gaze fixed on him.

"How about this," she murmured, "you help me... and I’ll make it worth your while."

Her words carried a suggestive edge.

Lucian’s expression did not change.

Without a word, he turned away and walked toward the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face.

’So she’s trying this now,’ he thought, his jaw tightening slightly.

"I have someone I like."

Behind him, Thessy let out a soft laugh and followed.

She moved closer, slowly raising her arms as if to wrap them around his waist, but before she could touch him, a faint shimmer appeared.

An invisible barrier formed instantly, stopping her just inches away.

Thessy froze, her expression flickering with frustration.

She quickly masked it, letting out another laugh.

"You’re acting so proper," she teased. "Is it because you’ve never been with other girls?"

Her tone turned coaxing.

"Give me one chance," she whispered. "I’ll make sure you never regret it."

Lucian let out a low chuckle.

"I already regret it," he replied calmly.

He turned slightly, his gaze cold.

"Seeing you try this hard... after I’ve made my intentions clear... is honestly nauseating."

The words struck harder than a slap.

Thessy’s smile stiffened.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed.

"Fine," she said, her tone shifting again. "Then help me deal with the situation online."

Lucian pretended to think for a moment before nodding slightly.

"Since you’re my therapist," he said casually, "I suppose I can help."

He took out his phone and typed something quickly.

A few seconds later, Thessy’s phone buzzed.

She picked it up immediately. Her eyes widened in surprise.

The trending searches were gone.

Her lips curved upward in relief as she looked at Lucian with renewed trust.

’So he’s not connected to Lana after all,’ she thought, her earlier suspicion fading.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

Lucian waved his hand dismissively.

"As long as you do your job properly," he replied, "that’s all I need."

His tone turned indifferent.

"Now leave. I want to be alone."

Thessy nodded quickly and walked out, her steps light once again.

The moment the door closed, Lucian’s expression darkened.

A look of pure disgust crossed his face.

Without hesitation, he turned and went back into the shower, letting the cold water run over him as if trying to wash away the lingering discomfort.

After a while, he stepped out again.

Just as he was about to pick up his phone, he paused.

His eyes narrowed slightly. The phone... had shifted.

Barely noticeable.

Perhaps just 0.002 meters from its original position.

But it was enough.

’She touched it,’ he realized instantly.

His expression turned cold.

Without wasting another second, he rushed back into the room, scanning everything carefully.

Then his thoughts shifted to Lana. The reason he had let Thessy off so easily... was because of her.

’Thessy has something connected to Lana,’ he thought. ’Something important.’

He couldn’t act recklessly.

Not yet.

’If I push her too far... she might do something irreversible.’

The thought made his jaw tighten.

He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again, his expression turning grim.

’I need to be careful.’

Meanwhile, Lana noticed something strange.

The Perry family had disappeared. Completely.

It was as if they had never existed.

She had expected them to cause trouble again, to create more chaos.

That night, Axel came to meet her.

Axel listened quietly, his expression unreadable.

When she finished, she looked at him and asked, "Where do you think they went?"

He let out a quiet breath before speaking.

"They’re most likely exactly where they deserve to be," he said, his gaze steady. "And if I had to guess... Lucian is the one who arranged it."

For a brief moment, Lana’s eyes sparkled, a faint warmth rising in her chest.

’So it was him...’ she thought, her lips almost curving into a smile.

A sudden urge welled up inside her to call him, to thank him, to hear his voice just once.

But she froze.

The memory struck her without warning. That voice.