Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 1942

Lambert approached Alvis with Estelle's wrist in his grasp, introducing himself with a warm grin, "I'm Lambert Brennan, a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Alvis!"

The man behind the golden fox mask glanced at their interlocked hands, his eyes cooling for a moment as he fixed his gaze on Lambert. "The pleasure is mine," he said in a voice deep and misty, like a whisper of fog over a chilly lake. It was enigmatic, emotionless, yet somehow conveyed a hint of displeasure.

Only when Alvis's scrutinizing eyes shifted toward her did Estelle realize she was still being held by Lambert. She quickly pulled away, standing straight as an arrow.

She was as nervous as a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar!

After introductions were made, the group, including Alvis and his companion, made their way into the grand Zion estate.

Raiden had arranged a lavish dinner in the banquet hall, and once inside the castle, everyone got into cars and headed for the hall.

Estelle and Lambert shared a ride, and as soon as they were seated, Lambert mused with a sly chuckle, "Didn't expect Alvis to be so young, and fit too. Makes me wonder, is he as handsome as me?" Estelle wasn't in the mood for small talk. She stared out the window, her mind in turmoil.

Jonathan was Alvis? The revelation was shocking, almost inconceivable!

She had only known him by his mercenary moniker.

The look Jonathan had given her was a mix of stern anger and reassurance, but notably devoid of surprise. Did he know she would be here? Was he looking for her?

The woman at his side seemed familiar, but Estelle couldn't quite place her.

"What's on your mind?" Lambert asked with a hint of surprise, "Don't worry, Alvis is nothing like Raiden. I'll keep you safe."

Estelle turned to him, "What's Alvis doing here?"

"He seems interested in the new energy project too."

She nodded. She had suspected Alvis had come for some cutting-edge weaponry, but now that Alvis turned out to be Jonathan, everything she had thought had to be reevaluated.

Lambert frowned slightly, "Did you notice Alvis kept looking our way? I think he was checking me out. Could he be gay? Maybe my mask gave him the wrong idea. I need to be careful. It's such a hassle being this attractive!"

Estelle stared at Lambert, thinking he was joking until she saw his serious expression. Her face contorted with complexity.

The cars came to a stop, and Alvis stepped out, glancing back in Lambert's direction.

"See? Is he looking at me again?" Lambert whispered to Estelle.

She turned her head away, silent.

Alvis waited for Lambert and Estelle to catch up before he continued toward the entrance.

The group passed through the grand foyer, taking the spacious elevator up to the banquet hall. Standing behind Lambert in the elevator, Estelle caught Alvis's intense gaze in the mirrored doors and her heart skipped a beat.

She felt guilty; she had imagined he might find out she wasn't in C City and come looking for her, but she hadn't expected him to find her in Zion so swiftly.

Her mission had made no progress.

Neither had the search for her brother.

How would she explain this to him?

Maybe she should just keep pretending they were strangers. Would that drive him mad?

Estelle looked down, feeling for the first time the weight of her task.

She let out a subtle sigh. For now, she would have to act as if he were a stranger.

The banquet hall, though intimate, was tastefully decorated. Servers in uniform stood in line, holding vintages of fine wine. Citadel's notable politicians and businessmen, invited for the occasion, greeted Alvis and Lambert with feigned enthusiasm. A pianist, who had been playing in the corner, stood to acknowledge the guests with a nod.