CHAPTER 51The restaurant was bathed in the soft, golden glow of candlelight, its elegant chandeliers casting flickering reflections across polished silverware and crystal glasses. The air carried the delicate aroma of gourmet dishes, blending with the gentle hum of conversation and the occasional clink of cutlery against fine china. It was an intimate setting—one of warmth and understated luxury—perfect for an evening neither Jonathan nor Via would ever forget.Jonathan sat across from Via, his sharp navy-blue suit accentuating his composed demeanor, though his fingers betrayed his nervous anticipation as they subtly drummed against the table. Via, resplendent in a flowing emerald dress that brought out the striking green in her eyes, noticed his slight restlessness but assumed it was merely lingering exhaustion from the past few months of struggle.Despite the troubles surrounding the Hazel’s empire, Jonathan had taken this time out to feel the love that only Via’s presence had to o

CHAPTER 53 Jonathan’s car pulled up to the quiet corner café, its windows fogged slightly from the chill of the morning. He stepped out, adjusting the collar of his coat, his eyes scanning the place warily. Something felt... off. The street was quiet, eerily so—no footsteps, no car horns, no idle chatter from passersby. Just silence and the low hum of wind rustling through leafless branches.He paused for a moment, studying the modest façade of the café. Pale sunlight glinted off the windows, but the interior was shadowed, still. It looked closed at first—until he saw her.Elina.She sat alone at the far end of the café, a porcelain cup cradled in both hands, steam long faded. Her posture was tense, too stiff to be casual. She was dressed simply, but there was an unnatural elegance in the way she sat—as if every movement was calculated.Jonathan pushed the door open. A tiny chime rang out, crisp and brittle like a bell in an empty church. He stepped in an