Everyone sat in the living room, worry etched on every face. Nena came in carrying a tray of coffee, accompanied by Aria. They carefully distributed the drinks to everyone before settling down themselves.

The room remained silent. Azreal closed his eyes and spoke to Sarah in his mind.

"What do we do now, my lord?" Sarah asked. "Using Cain's connection to the police force was supposed to save the shop, but that didn't work. You tried to use Cain as your ace card, but he didn't make contact with the boss. What will you do now?"

Azreal let out a heavy sigh. "I'm out of options. I don't know what else we can do to stop the shop from being seized."

Sarah's tone was grave. "It's true. It will be difficult to save the shop from the ACTS' seizure. Who would have thought the ACTS would be the living embodiment of the nation?"

Azreal nodded. "Yeah… even the police force are nothing in front of them. Still, the shop will be seized tomorrow. If the boss shows up, there's still a chance for the shop—and for Cain—to rectify his mistake and save it."

Sarah's voice carried a sharp edge of caution. "That's true, but lord Azreal… I hope you already know the flaw in that plan of yours."

Azreal admitted grimly, "Yes. The possibility of the boss showing up tomorrow… is slim."

Sarah's voice shifted to determination. "True, but I've thought of a way to make the boss come to the shop tomorrow."

Azreal leaned forward. "Let's hear it."

A holographic blueprint appeared in Azreal's mind, glowing blue, showing the scale of businesses across the country.

Sarah explained, "If you look at the rate Nena's Caffé is booming, we've already surpassed Mrs. Frida's shop. She has no customers. It's only a matter of time before she goes out of business."

Azreal's brow furrowed. "That's true. That explains her anger and jealousy the day she visited the café."

Sarah's tone turned analytical. "Simply put, Nena's Caffé has the potential to grow big in the corporate business world."

The hologram shifted, displaying stacks of coins from lowest to highest, with a straight arrow pointing to Nena's Caffé at the far end.

"With time," Sarah continued, "our café will become a major company. If we beat Frida's shop and put her out of business at this stage, then eventually… we could even outgrow the ACTS. Do you see where I'm going, my lord?"

Azreal's expression hardened. "Yes. That automatically makes our café a threat. Its exponential growth is what brought it to their attention."

"Exactly, my lord," Sarah said. "That's why they want to seize the café—to prevent a future crisis. The ACTS are smart enough to snuff out the spark before it becomes a blazing inferno."

Azreal's mind sharpened with resolve. "Then the only way to make the boss come is by continuing business as usual tomorrow… even with the shop's deadline looming."

"Yes," Sarah agreed. "The letter they sent was more threat than notice. If we ignore it, the boss will be forced to come himself and deal with the matter."

Azreal nodded. "And that's when we'll need Cain."

"Yes," Sarah confirmed. "That's when Cain comes into play."

"Alright," Azreal said firmly. "We proceed as usual tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord," Sarah replied.

Azreal opened his eyes. The room was still, quiet, heavy with tension. No one spoke.

Suddenly, a phone rang, shattering the silence. Everyone's attention snapped to the sound.

It was Cain's phone. He fished it from his pocket—it was a number not saved in his contacts. Hesitation clouded his face.

Azreal's voice was firm. "What's the matter, Cain? Pick it up. It might be important—maybe something at the police station."

Laisa's voice cut in, impatient. "Hurry, Cain! The sound is driving me crazy!"

Cain swallowed, then answered. "Hello?"

A girl's voice came through: "Hi."

Cain frowned. "Who's this?"

"It's me… Reina. Have you forgotten about me so soon, Cain?"

Shock froze Cain. The phone slipped from his hand.

Everyone in the room froze.

Cain muttered to himself, flustered. "Crap… Reina… I totally forgot about her."

Reina's voice rang through the phone again. "Hello? Cain… are you there?"

Lyra tilted her head. "That's a girl's voice…"

Cain cleared his throat. "Hello, Reina. I'm here."

"I'm waiting outside the street," Reina said calmly.

"You're outside?" Cain asked, startled.

"Yes," she replied. "You told me to call. Why, is something wrong?"

Cain rose to his feet, composed yet tense. "No, nothing's wrong. I'm coming now."

Azreal's eyes narrowed. "Who is Reina, Cain?"

Cain replied casually, "Reina is a friend of mine… someone I invited over."

Fredrick's voice, calm but cutting, noted, "Seems instead of finding a way to save the shop, he's been out making friends."

Jack asked curiously, "Is she also with the police?"

Cain shook his head. "No… she walks with the ACTS."

The room went silent, stunned.

Shot muttered dryly, "You've outdone yourself, Cain. You didn't meet the boss… but you got the sidekick."

Nena's voice was sharp. "Cain, what are you doing? Isn't she waiting? Go!"

Cain nodded and moved quickly.

He emerged from the hidden passage into the café. The room was dark. He flicked the lights on. Using his keys, he unlocked the door and stepped outside, scanning the street. No one was in sight.

He brought out his phone and dialed Reina's number.

Far away, Reina saw Cain and ran toward him, waving. "I'm here!"

Cain saw her and slipped his phone into his pocket.

Reina caught up, breathless. "Sorry, I got lost. I know you told me to call so you could pick me up, but I didn't want to trouble you."

Cain smiled faintly. "It's alright. Come in." He opened the door to the café for her.

Reina returned his smile. "Thank you."

They walked inside together. Cain closed the door behind them, the faint click echoing in the quiet café.

Cain pulled out a chair and gestured for Reina to sit. She glanced at him, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks, and murmured, "Thanks."

"Stop thanking me," Cain replied, his voice steady but gentle. "We're friends, right? No need for all that."

Reina's cheeks flushed a deeper red. She nodded, fumbling slightly as she sat down, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.

Cain leaned forward slightly. "So… what will you have? Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee… is fine," she said softly. Cain rose and disappeared briefly, returning with two steaming cups of coffee.

He sat across from her, their eyes meeting over the rim of their cups. Reina took a slow sip, her gaze lingering beneath the glass, studying him with a mixture of curiosity and cautious excitement. Cain noticed and met her stare, prompting her to straighten, as if trying to regain composure.

"So… about your boss?" Cain finally asked, breaking the tense silence.

"About him?" Reina's lips curved in a small, almost apologetic smile. "Oh, right. Yes… about my boss. He didn't come back even after closing hours, but his car was still outside, so I assume he must be busy. Probably went home by now. You can meet him tomorrow."

Cain frowned. "But tomorrow is the deadline for the café…"

Reina tilted her head slightly, confused. "Deadline… café? I don't understand."

Cain explained, his voice low, calm but firm. "The ACTS are planning to seize our café tomorrow."

Reina's eyes widened in shock. "That's… bad. So that's why you wanted to see your boss."

"Yes," Cain said simply.

She fidgeted slightly, biting the inside of her cheek. "I wish there was something I could do to help. But when my boss decides something… he sticks to it." Her tone carried frustration mixed with concern, eyes flickering with helplessness.

Cain stood, straightening his back. "Well… we'll just have to see what happens tomorrow."

Reina mirrored his movement, rising with a determined tilt in her posture. "I'll visit tomorrow as well. You might need some help, and I'll do what I can to stop the café from being seized."

Cain raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly will you do that?"

She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "The café is only in danger because of suspicions about bad or low-quality products. That's what could harm human consumption."

Cain frowned. "I thought it was a licensing issue?"

"That's also a factor," Reina admitted, "but the shop wouldn't be seized solely for licensing. It's the quality concern that matters."

Cain's eyes narrowed. "Then our café doesn't sell low-quality, harmful products."

She smiled faintly, a soft warmth in her tone. "I know that. Besides, I just drank the coffee—it's excellent. All I need to do tomorrow is show that your products are of good quality."

"Thanks," Cain said, his voice carrying relief.

"Now you're thanking me," she teased, a playful glimmer in her eyes.

Cain chuckled softly. "Sorry."

Reina glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. I should head home."

Cain moved instinctively. "Wait, I can drop you off."

"No, it's fine," she said hurriedly, a faint blush coloring her face again. "You don't have to trouble yourself. You should rest at home with your family."

Cain froze, struck by the genuine concern in her words. Reina's hands fumbled together nervously, her eyes downcast. "Um… Cain…"

"Yes?" he asked, concern threading through his tone.

"No… it's just… I wanted to say the coffee was really good. Thanks," she murmured, her voice soft, almost shy.

Cain smiled warmly. "You're welcome."

Reina's smile deepened, though her fingers continued to fidget. She hesitated, then spoke slowly, as if testing the waters. "I don't know if this is sudden… but if you'd like, you could come to my house some other time, if you're free."

Cain said nothing immediately, and Reina's heart sank. Gosh, I blew it… why would I invite him? What will he think? she thought, her cheeks burning. "It's not a must… I just—"

Cain interrupted, a rare, decisive edge in his voice. "Sure!"

Reina froze, her eyes widening. He… he agreed?

"Just text me your address anytime, and I'll come see you," Cain added, a confident yet gentle smile tugging at his lips.

Reina's lips curved into a relieved, bright smile. "Okay then. Good night," she said softly, turning toward the door.

Cain exhaled, watching her footsteps fade into the distance. He turned to see Lexi, Lyra, Aria, and Laisa standing nearby, grinning knowingly.

"Cain… is she your girlfriend?" Lexi asked, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Cain scoffed. "Of course not. She's just a friend."

Laisa grinned, mimicking Reina's earlier timid invitation. "If you'd like, you could come to my house some other time."

Aria leaned forward, teasing but supportive. "It's not bad to have a girlfriend, Cain. Don't be shy."

Lyra nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we're proud that for once you're starting a relationship!"

Cain waved his hands. "What's wrong with you four? I told you she's just a friend."

They all nodded sheepishly.

Nena appeared from the hidden passage, smiling. "Stop teasing Cain. If he says she's a friend, then that's all there is to it. Reina's just a friend."

Cain walked up to her, relieved, and hugged her briefly. "Thanks, Nena. Seriously. All they do is eavesdrop and jump to conclusions."

The boys emerged from the hidden passage. Hulk grinned. "Looks like Reina has left."

Lyra added with a smirk, "Yes… right after wishing Mr. lovey-dovey detective here good night."

Cain waved dismissively. "Forget about that. Lord Azreal, I think there's still hope to save the café."

Azreal nodded, eyes sharp. "Yes. There's still hope. I want to explain the plan, but it seems your plan differs. You speak first."

Cain took a deep breath. "Right. I spoke to Reina. She told me the reason ACTS is targeting our café is that it's suspected of selling low-quality products. Even if licensing were an issue, it wouldn't lead to seizure."

Everyone relaxed visibly. Nena's lips curved into a small smile. "That's good news! It means we can save the café tomorrow."

"Yes," Cain confirmed. "Reina said we just need to prove our products are of high quality. She's coming tomorrow to help us."

Laisa's eyes lit up. "So Reina is coming tomorrow too."

Azreal shook his head slightly, a serious edge returning to his tone. "You're wrong, Cain."

Everyone gasped, startled.

Cain frowned, a mix of concern and curiosity. "The idea is good, but…?"

Azreal's gaze hardened. "The reason you think the café is being seized isn't entirely accurate. ACTS isn't targeting the café because of product quality."

Aria tilted her head. "It isn't?"

Nena's brow furrowed. "What are you saying, Azreal?"

"The real reason," Azreal said, voice low and deliberate, "is that ACTS sees our café as a future business threat. Their main goal is to eliminate competition before it grows into something uncontrollable."

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