"Whoever is orchestrating this had taken care of the loose end by killing off Sean right when I suspected him. Maybe if I had been more careful, he wouldn't have died. Is there no way to know whom he had been talking to?" Taya, who was sitting on her desk, asked as she looked out the huge window, seeing the beautiful view of the city.
Eva shook her head, "Sorry, Big Sis. I tried my best, but it seemed as if he was using an encrypted phone. And cracking it is quite impossible or could take years. I don't think it's feasible. But if only we had someone well versed in decryption and hacking and better than the experts we have, I bet they could have found some way," Eva said with pinched lips, feeling quite frustrated about the present situation.
Eva's eyes then brightened up as she suddenly remembered something, "But...what if we asked Saya to help us out? She is good with computers and even won many cybersecurity competitions. Even if she is not a professional, maybe she might know something we don't."
Taya thought about it, but then she shook her head and said, "No, I don't want to involve her and put her in danger as well. Umilia and her daughter had already gone through a lot. She is going to become a college student, and if she gets involved in these affairs, then her life might not be the same anymore."
"But then Viktor—
"No. Viktor is already doing more than enough for us, and he can't protect everyone at the same time, nor do I have the right to ask for more. He has his own life to live. A powerful man like him does not even deserve to live like a mortal, but I guess for some reason, he is stuck with us. I sometimes wonder if he was really coming from a different world...a world where there exist people like him. And one day if he does find that world, would he leave this world...leave us?" Taya said with a glazed expression as her thoughts trailed off.
"Big Sis...you indeed still love him. Then why do you avoid him?" Eva asked, seeing Taya's wistful expression. She felt an ache in her heart seeing Taya like this. But at the same time she wondered why Taya was talking about Viktor coming from a different world since she found it hard to think of such a scenario and thought that Taya might be talking like that because of her longing.
Taya slowly turned her head to look at Eva, who meekly looked down as she said, "Forget I asked, Big Sis."
"For now, let's just say that I am scared...about a lot of things," Taya said in a wistful tone.
Eva felt even more confused, wondering why a strong woman like Taya was scared. But then she, who knew nothing about a man and woman's relationship, felt that she might not understand Taya's thoughts.
Taya extended her hand and said in a gentle tone, "Come here, Eva," And gestured to her to sit beside her.
Eva raised her head, and her expression relaxed as she eagerly sat beside Taya while her fingers kept fiddling with each other.
Taya smiled as she wrapped her hand around her shoulder and pushed her closer, and adjusted Eva's head to let her lean on her shoulder.
"Do you want to take some time off? You have been running around for too long. You must be tired," Taya said in a concerned tone.
Eva felt a feeling of breathlessness being in her embrace, feeling Taya's warmth through her touch and words.
Still, Eva slowly shook her head and said in a resolute tone, "I am fine, Big Sis. I don't like leaving you alone."
Taya softly chuckled as she caressed Eva's head and said playfully, "Now you are really making things difficult for me. I guess you will only take a break when I take one, huh?"
Eva softly nodded and said, "I also don't want to take a break from work."
Taya's brows drew together as she asked in a low voice, "Because you want to find your elder sister? Don't worry...As I promised, I will help you find her, and she should be alright."
Hearing her heartfelt words, Eva felt a fullness in her heart and slowly wrapped her arms around Taya's waist as she said, "I love you, Big Sis."
"Me too…," Taya smiled, seeing that Eva was feeling happier and reassured since she knew how desperate Eva was about finding her sister. In fact, she had been trying for years but still couldn't find any of her whereabouts.
"But could she be in trouble? I always feel uneasy when thinking about her, thinking that she might need my help but can't reach me," Eva said in a taut tone as memories of the past flashed in her mind.
Taya sighed and knew that unless Eva finds her sister, she truly won't feel peaceful.
"Eva...even if she got taken away at such a young age, I am sure she must have escaped somehow, just like Umi. Based on what I have heard from you, your sister must be a very strong and capable woman. After all, she took care of you all alone from the day when you were just a small child while she herself was also just a kid in such an environment without anyone to rely upon. Even if you never saw her again for all these years, you can believe in her to survive and meet you again."
Eva's gaze became unfocused as she hugged Taya tighter.
"Still, did you get any new information regarding the Syndicate...the people who took her?" Taya asked curiously.
Eva shook her head and said in a tired tone, "No...nothing new other than the old information that they target orphans, abandoned children or ones who don't have anyone to care about them, to take them and convert them into becoming human weapons who get planted across the world to do their bidding. Mostly they do spy work and sabotage big corporations or governments from the inside. And since they have the backing of many corrupt governments, it's hard to find or shut down their main base of operations."
Eva then suddenly started to tear up as she said in a brittle voice, "If it wasn't her trying to protect me, s-she wouldn't have....It should have been me..."
Taya patted her head as she comforted her, "Shh...it's fine. It's not your fault. You were so small. You couldn't have done much. So never think that you didn't do enough. I am sure your sister wouldn't regret what she did."
Taya then slowly got off the table and helped Eva up, "You know what. Let's have a few drinks before going home and taking a rest. Today has been a long day indeed. Come."
Eva quickly wiped her eyes as she nodded with a slight smile.
Meanwhile, in the Snow Mansion, Umilia was having a hard time falling asleep even though it was past 9 PM.
Viktor's earlier words were keeping her heart racing with excitement, and her restlessness was only increasing as more time passed.
But unbeknownst to her, a man had already entered her room like a thief and gazing at her alluring figure like a wolf eyeing its prey.