Chapter 11 Hidden Identities

Griffin Ravenscroft's POV

I returned to the private room, staring at the spot where Aviah had been sitting moments ago, lost in thought. She clearly had no idea that I was Griffin, the man who controlled Skyline Group.

It was rather amusing that she had mistaken me for a male prostitute.

As I pondered this, Sebastian walked in.

"What are you thinking about? Don't tell me you've taken a liking to that woman?"

I shook my head. "Sebastian, do you have any leads on the Order of the Obsidian Moon?"

"Despite how well they've hidden their tracks, I've managed to find some traces. It seems they're connected to the Chambers family."

I frowned slightly. "The Chambers family?"

"Yes, the Chambers. They're quite well-known. Remember six years ago when August and Aviah's wedding fell apart? It was the scandal of the year in Lakeview. Shortly after, August married Scarlett."

I nodded, then asked about the Q-Chip.

I had just returned to Lakeview from Bloomdale when I got into a car accident. The person who crashed into me was none other than Aviah. It was around that time I discovered that our company's latest confidential technology had been stolen.

From that moment, I was certain there was a mole in the company!

I had Sebastian investigating for days.

"The latest findings suggest that the people who stole the chip might be connected to Starlight Entertainment, Scarlett's company," Sebastian reported. "I'm planning to arrange for someone to infiltrate and gather intelligence."

I raised an eyebrow. "Who? Scarlett? The one who married August?"

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, and we've discovered something else. That Jeremy who caused trouble here earlier works at Starlight Entertainment."

Hearing this, I said, "Don't arrange for someone else. Put me in there. I'll investigate personally."

Sebastian was stunned. "You? Why? Is it because of that woman? Who is she to you that you're paying so much attention to her?"

I spoke casually, "Why do you think I went to Bloomdale half a month ago?"

"You went to... wait! You went there for her?"

I nodded. "You know about what happened six years ago. I was the man she slept with. All these years, I've had Adrian secretly investigating. When I received the news half a month ago, I rushed there immediately. Good thing I sent you that message before I left, otherwise I might be dead by now."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "And you didn't let me handle this? Some friend you are."

"Tell you? So you could mock me?"

Sebastian paused. "Fair point. But are you sure you want to go to Starlight Entertainment yourself? Can you at least tell me why?"

"It's simple. Because of Aviah. I predict she'll go work at Starlight Entertainment."

Sebastian scoffed. "Right, keep pretending. How could you possibly know that?"

"It's straightforward. You saw Jeremy causing trouble today. Your investigation results should be in by now, right? Isn't he holding some middle-management position at Starlight Entertainment, with an annual salary between $300,000 and $500,000?"

Sebastian looked surprised. "How did you know?"

"Deduction. His clothes are all high-end custom tailored, which doesn't come cheap—at least several thousand dollars. He had a BMW key chain, last year's model worth about $320,000. Based on these observations, he's clearly successful."

Sebastian nodded. "Fine, but how did you guess Aviah will definitely go work at Starlight Entertainment?"

I shook my head. "You've misunderstood. It's not that Aviah wants to work at Starlight Entertainment, but that Starlight Entertainment will invite her to work there. Look at the situation today—Aviah has resorted to being a waitress at Phantom Night. What does that tell you? It means she's desperate. In this situation, if Starlight Entertainment sends Aviah an employment invitation, do you think she'll refuse or accept?"

From my conversation with Aviah earlier, I already knew she was so poor she could barely afford meals. In this situation, if Starlight Entertainment extended an invitation, would she refuse?

Impossible.

And she didn't know Jeremy works at Starlight Entertainment, so she would definitely go.

"She'll definitely accept," Sebastian said, lowering his voice. "But how can you be so sure Jeremy will do this?"

I shrugged. "Simple. Jeremy isn't the type to give up easily. From their conversation, they clearly have history. All things considered, I'm almost certain this will happen. If you don't believe me, want to bet?"

"Let's bet then. If you lose, you tell me where your Aunt is."

I fell silent, then looked at him seriously. "Fine! It's a bet!"

Sebastian's face lit up as he sat on the couch, sipping wine with a grin.

"Your phone is ringing."

He reminded me.

I looked at the caller ID and couldn't help but smile.

From the other end came Aviah's questioning tone, "Why aren't you answering my calls? Did you change your mind?"

I coolly explained, "I'm trying to earn money here, aren't I?"

I could tell something was wrong with Aviah's emotional state and proactively asked, "What's wrong?"

"Are you... are you busy right now?"

Busy? In what sense? I wasn't sure what she was asking, but I responded anyway. "Want to find out?"

"No need. Can you hurry? I... I can't get home. Could you lend me some money for a taxi?"

Hearing her pitiful voice, I was momentarily at a loss for words. "Where are you? I'll come right over."

"I'm in the main hall."

After that, I put on my clothes, gathered my things, and headed out.

In the main hall, Aviah was sitting on a couch, looking around helplessly as if searching for something.

"What are you looking for?"

Seeing me, Aviah visibly brightened, pouting with a pitiful expression. "I lost my money somewhere around here. I can't find it."

I looked at her. Too poor to even afford a taxi?

"Ryan, did you make any money today? Could you lend me some for a taxi home?"

I gave her a withering look. "What do you think? Fine, consider it my bad luck. How much do you need?"

Aviah spoke weakly, "Fifty dollars would be enough."

I casually pulled out a hundred-dollar bill.

"Thank you."

"Remember, you owe me fifty dollars."

While I was speaking, Aviah had already grabbed the money and run outside where a taxi was just pulling up.

Watching her disappear, I smiled.

Aviah, I looked forward to our meeting the next day.