As Ethan approached, the low murmur of conversation reached his ears.
"My brother… he's changed," Clara said, her voice tinged with a worry she couldn't quite hide.
Yuri leaned back, her expression unreadable. "He's always seemed like a strict man to me. What's different?"
"I don't know," Clara admitted, shaking her head. "He's becoming forgetful. Often. I'm worried he might be ill."
"Then find the best specialist," Yuri replied firmly. "Don't settle for anything less than a top doctor."
Clara nodded absently, her mind clearly elsewhere. "Yuri… can you tell me what he was like in high school?"
"When I was a freshman, he was a senior and the Student Council President," Yuri recalled, her gaze drifting toward the window. "He was a legend back then—top-tier in sports, academics, everything. He used his position to practically reshape the school. But," she paused, "his reign ended abruptly in the second semester."
"There was a girl, wasn't there?" Clara asked. "The Vice President. They were close?"
"Inseparable," Yuri said.
A look of genuine surprise crossed Clara's face. "I've never heard of her."
At that moment, Ethan stepped into view, standing beside Yuri. Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Yuri signaled the end of the conversation. "We should head out. The summit begins tomorrow."
After a brief exchange of parting words at the door, Yuri and Ethan climbed into the black sedan. The city lights of California began to blur past them as the driver pulled away toward the hotel.
Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the passing skyline.
"Ethan?" Yuri's voice broke the quiet. He turned to meet her eyes. "What did Connor say to you?"
"He was giving me details about the concert," Ethan replied evenly. "The one where we first met."
"And? Did it help you remember him?"
Ethan gave a slow, deliberate nod. Yuri seemed satisfied, pulling out her phone to check her notifications, but Ethan wasn't finished.
"Ms. Yuri," he said, drawing her attention back. "What kind of man is Connor, really?"
Yuri considered the question. "Strict. Disciplined. In high school, his routine was grueling. He excelled at everything—studies, sports, even the logistics of the school festivals. He was a perfectionist."
"Is he the type of person who would lie?" Ethan asked.
Yuri frowned slightly, thinking back. "It's hard to say. I rarely interacted with him directly. The only time we really spoke was when he had to intervene after I got into a fight with another girl. That was our first real meeting."
Ethan nodded, turning back to the window. In the rearview mirror, he caught the driver's eyes briefly before looking away. His mind was a storm of disconnected pieces.
Too many questions, Ethan thought. Russia. I need to go back there. I need to trace it from the very beginning. Why did my father go there? And why, of all people, did he take me with him?
The sedan pulled up to the grand entrance of the hotel. As Yuri stepped out, a perimeter of guards instantly formed around her, escorting her toward the elevators with practiced efficiency. At the door to her suite, she stopped, one foot already inside.
"I just received an update," Yuri announced, looking back at the group. "Only one guard is permitted inside the summit meeting room. I'll need to choose one of you."
Julian, the lead, stepped forward. "Who are you leaning toward, Ma'am?"
Yuri tilted her head. "Who do you recommend, Julian?"
Julian glanced over his team, his eyes lingering on Ethan. "If Allen were here, he'd be my first choice," Julian said honestly. He then placed a heavy hand on Ethan's shoulder. "But under the circumstances, I recommend Ethan."
Yuri nodded. "Then it's settled. Ethan, you'll be with me inside the room."
"Understood," Ethan replied.
Yuri disappeared into her suite, and the door clicked shut. Julian immediately turned to the others, his voice dropping into a professional command tone. "Antonio, you know the drill. You're on point."
As Antonio took his post by the door, Ethan turned to Julian. "Sir, why me?"
The rest of the team—Ben, Noah, and Antonio—all looked toward Julian, curious for the answer.
"It's simple math," Julian explained. "Noah, you're too big—you'll draw the wrong kind of attention. Ben, you've got a permanent scowl that scares the VIPs, especially the women. That leaves me, Antonio, and you. Antonio needs to stay sharp for the night watch so he can rest in the daytime. As for me… I'm not always great at reading a room. But you, Ethan? You see the things others miss. You know how to blend in."
"I understand," Ethan said.
"Good. Let's move out. Ben, Antonio—stay frosty tonight."
Later, in the quiet of camera room, Julian sat in the chair, Ethan stood nearby staring at the cameras. He knew Jake was in this very building. The proximity felt like a physical weight.
"Sir," Ethan said, breaking the silence. "Are there other high-profile guests staying here?"
Julian looked up from the screen. "Hard to say for sure, but this is the top choice in California for every summit. Most of the elite stay here."
"This hotel belongs to Madison's father," Noah added from across the room.
Ethan stood up, grabbing his jacket which was placed on the other jacket.
"Going somewhere?" Julian asked.
"Just want to get some air. I'll be back in ten minutes."
Ethan moved quickly through the lobby. He headed for the reception desk.
"Excuse me," Ethan said to the receptionist. "Could you direct me to Jake's room?"
The woman looked up, her expression professional yet wary. "Are you a guest of his?"
Ethan nodded.
"He's actually right behind you," she said, pointing toward the entrance.
Ethan spun around. Jake was standing just outside the glass doors, looking as though he were waiting for a pickup. As a sleek car pulled up to the curb, Ethan ran toward him.
"Jake! Wait!"
Jake paused, his hand on the car door. He didn't turn fully, only glancing over his shoulder.
"Jake, we need to talk. Alone."
"Now isn't the time," Jake said, his voice calm.
"When, then?"
Jake opened the door and slid into the back seat. "When the time is right, I'll find you myself."
The door slammed shut, and the car roared away into the California night, leaving Ethan standing alone under the glow of the hotel lights.