chasing the wind order

"Why are you already starting to dislike your mommy at such a young age?" Eva couldn't help rolling her eyes helplessly.

But honestly, Rosie often seemed far more clever and observant than she was.

Rosie hugged her picture book and explained seriously,

"Aunt Harris may be new here, but she looks very kind. I always see her helping old people carry groceries upstairs from my window."

The little girl counted carefully on her fingers.

"And I also saw her feeding the stray cat downstairs."

Rosie hadn't randomly knocked on a stranger's door.

In her little heart, Aunt Harris was already a kind grandmother.

Rosie had suffered alongside Eva ever since she was born.

Although she looked mischievous and playful, she was actually much more cautious and sensitive than ordinary children.

Eva's heart softened painfully.

After dinner, she carried Rosie to the lounge area.

"Sit here obediently and wait for Mommy, okay? We'll go home together after I finish work."

"Okay!"

Rosie nodded obediently.

With her soft round cheeks, huge bright eyes, and sweet little voice, she looked exactly like a tiny angel.

She knew not to disturb her mother while she was working.

So she quietly sat on the chair with several picture books, occasionally peeking toward Eva's busy figure with sparkling eyes.

By the time Eva finally finished her work and hurried over, Rosie had already fallen asleep without her noticing.

"Rosie… wake up, sweetheart. We're going home."

Eva kissed her daughter's forehead gently, her eyes overflowing with tenderness.

Rosie was so obedient that it hurt Eva's heart.

The little girl had spent the entire afternoon sitting there alone reading picture books.

She must have become exhausted and accidentally fallen asleep.

"Mmm… Mommy…"

Rosie slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

The moment she saw Eva, her lips curved into a bright smile.

"Are you done with work?"

"Yes," Eva answered softly.

Her smile was unbelievably gentle.

"We're done. Let's go eat something first."

"Yay!"

Rosie instantly became energetic again.

The mother and daughter walked out of the coffee shop hand in hand, preparing to head toward the car rental company for their night shift.

Eva secretly encouraged herself in her heart.

Keep working hard.

She needed to save enough money to buy a car.

That way, she wouldn't have to waste money on rental fees anymore.

After buying a car, she would save for a house.

She wanted to give Rosie a stable and secure home.

***

23rd Floor, Marriott International Building — CEO's Office

"President Elliott, this is Eva Allen's information."

Denise walked respectfully into the office.

She wore a fitted white blouse paired with a black professional skirt that perfectly outlined her tall, slender figure. Her long red hair curled softly over her shoulders, while her delicate makeup made her look especially sharp and capable.

She carefully placed a thick stack of documents on the desk.

"Eva Allen, born and raised in Blackwood City. She dropped out during her freshman year of university and gave birth to a daughter who is now five years old."

Denise continued professionally,

"For the past several years, she has worked various jobs around the city. During the day, she works at the mansion café. At night, she works part-time driving for Chasing the Wind Taxi."

Truthfully, Denise couldn't understand why Kellan would suddenly investigate an ordinary single mother.

Kellan Elliott stood at the very top of Blackwood City's business world.

Countless wealthy heiresses and elegant socialites tried desperately to approach him.

Yet after working beside him for years, Denise had never once seen him show interest in any woman.

Still, if the CEO wanted information, she naturally had to prepare it thoroughly and immediately.

"Understood."

Kellan's deep voice remained indifferent as he nodded slightly, dismissing her.

Denise bowed respectfully before leaving the office.

***

Kellan's office was enormous, decorated almost entirely in black and white tones.

The leather sofas and solid wood desk were all custom-designed by famous European designers—luxurious yet understated.

Kellan leaned lazily against the exquisite leather chair.

His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk.

He was devastatingly handsome.

Sharp brows.

Straight nose.

Dark eyes filled with natural dominance and pressure.

His tall, flawless figure was wrapped in a perfectly tailored black suit, making him resemble a noble prince born above ordinary people.

The first time he fell asleep inside Eva's taxi, he thought it was merely an accident.

But the second time…

He had fallen asleep naturally again.

Comfortably.

Peacefully.

Before meeting her, he had suffered from severe insomnia for five entire years—

Except for that one night five years ago.

Could she really be the woman from that night?

Kellan narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before casually opening the file.

The first page contained Eva's university registration photo from when she was eighteen years old.

The young girl in the picture smiled softly at the camera.

Her youthful face was beautiful and pure.

Kellan slowly flipped through the pages.

His subordinates were extremely efficient.

In only a short amount of time, they had gathered incredibly detailed information.

Eva was now twenty-three years old.

Her mother, Ophelia, divorced after having an affair when Eva was only two years old.

Her grandfather raised her until his death when she was eight.

Afterward, she lived with her uncle Grady until she became pregnant at eighteen and dropped out of university.

Further down were statements gathered from her former classmates at Harmony University—the top university in Blackwood City.

At the time Eva dropped out, she was already three months pregnant, and her slightly visible stomach had sparked countless rumors around campus.

Many students claimed she had been secretly kept by a wealthy businessman.

The gossip spread wildly throughout the university.

Of course, there were also neighbors who described Eva differently.

They said she had once been hardworking, intelligent, and exceptionally kind.

Many people felt sorry for her, believing she had simply been deceived while still too young.

As Kellan continued reading, the darkness in his eyes deepened frighteningly.

His cold gaze became terrifying enough to send chills down someone's spine.

When he first saw Eva driving the taxi, he thought she looked distant and pure.

But if that were truly the case…

How could she have entered a stranger's room so casually five years ago?

In his mind, she had suddenly transformed into a careless and promiscuous woman.

The irony irritated him deeply.

After all, she was the only woman beside whom he could sleep peacefully.

And for some unknown reason, the thought of her having been intimate with other men made him inexplicably unhappy.

***

The lively neon lights along the street flickered brilliantly like playful little elves dancing in the night.

Rosie was especially excited today because Eva had promised to reward her for delivering lunch yesterday.

The two stopped in front of a toy store.

Rosie immediately chose a talking Dora doll.

The toy cheerfully announced:

"Hello! I'm Dora!"

Rosie hugged the doll happily and hid behind it.

"Mommy, look! I'm Dora!"

Eva laughed helplessly and played along.

"Don't cause trouble, Dora."

Rosie instantly burst into giggles, her bright smile blooming like a flower beneath the colorful neon lights.

Eva couldn't help laughing with her.

Later that night, once they began taking customers again, Rosie obediently sat in the passenger seat hugging her beloved Dora doll.

As it grew later, the little girl slowly fell asleep clutching the toy tightly in her arms.

***

"Chasing the Wind Taxi is now accepting your order."

Eva glanced at her phone as usual and checked the pickup location.

RK Bar.

Destination:

Red Star Street.

The moment she saw the address, Eva froze slightly.

Red Star Street…

That was the same street where her uncle's house used to be.

A complicated emotion flashed through her dark eyes.

Instinctively, she wanted to cancel the order.

But after glancing at Rosie sleeping peacefully beside her, Eva quietly tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

She needed money.

She had to keep working harder.

The taxi slowly stopped near the alley beside RK Bar.

Under the dim and decadent lights, drunken figures staggered through the night.