EPISODE VII

The Man Who Knew Her Secret

The sun was slowly setting over the university.

Golden light painted the tall buildings orange as students walked home, laughing and talking with their friends.

But Nomie wasn't laughing.

She sat quietly on a bench beneath a large acacia tree, staring at her phone.

One message had changed everything.

“I know who you really are.”

Nomie's fingers tightened around the phone.

Her heart began beating faster.

"Who sent this?" she whispered.

She looked around.

Students were everywhere, but no one seemed to be watching her.

At least...

That's what she thought.

Across the courtyard, a man in a black jacket stood beside a parked car.

He was watching her.

The moment Nomie looked in his direction, he turned away.

"Wait..."

She stood up.

But when she looked again, the man was gone.

Meanwhile...

Cedrick was walking toward the cafeteria when he noticed Nomie standing alone.

He immediately approached her.

"Nomie."

She turned around.

"Oh, Cedrick."

"You look worried."

"I'm okay."

Cedrick frowned.

"You've said that three times today."

Nomie forced a smile.

"I really am okay."

Cedrick studied her face.

He knew she was hiding something.

But he didn't want to pressure her.

"Fine," he said softly. "But if something is bothering you, you can tell me."

Nomie looked at him.

For a moment, she wanted to tell him everything.

About her grandfather.

About the Dawson family.

About the secret identity she had been forced to hide.

But fear stopped her.

"I'm sorry, Cedrick."

"I can't put you in danger."

That Evening

Nomie returned to the Dawson mansion.

The massive iron gates opened slowly as the black car entered the property.

The mansion looked beautiful under the evening sky—its tall windows glowing warmly against the darkness.

But tonight, it didn't feel like home.

It felt like a fortress.

Nomie stepped inside.

"Grandpa?"

No answer.

She walked toward the study.

The door was slightly open.

She pushed it gently.

Inside, Don Emilio stood beside the large window, his back facing her.

"Grandpa?"

He slowly turned.

His expression immediately changed when he saw her.

"Where have you been?"

"At school."

"Did anyone approach you?"

Nomie froze.

"Why are you asking?"

Don Emilio walked toward her.

"Because someone has been asking questions about you."

Nomie's heart sank.

"Who?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he looked at her seriously.

"Nomie, I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"If anyone asks about your family..."

He paused.

"Tell them nothing."

Nomie stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because there are people who would do anything to destroy the Dawson family."

The room suddenly became silent.

Nomie swallowed hard.

"Grandpa..."

"What?"

"Is my mother part of this?"

Don Emilio's face went pale.

For the first time, Nomie saw fear in her grandfather's eyes.

He slowly turned away.

"Your mother..."

His voice trembled.

"Your mother knew too much."

Nomie's eyes widened.

Before she could ask another question—

CRASH!

A loud sound came from outside the mansion.

Security guards immediately rushed toward the windows.

Don Emilio's expression became serious.

"Stay here."

"Grandpa, what happened?"

He didn't answer.

He walked quickly toward the door.

Then he stopped.

"Nomie..."

She looked at him.

"If anything happens tonight..."

His eyes softened.

"Remember that I love you."

Nomie's heart tightened.

"Grandpa, you're scaring me."

He opened the door.

"Lock this room."

Then he left.

Nomie stood alone in the study.

Her eyes slowly moved toward her grandfather's desk.

Something caught her attention.

A small photograph was lying beneath a folder.

She picked it up.

Her breath stopped.

It was a photograph of her mother.

Beside her mother stood a young man Nomie had never seen before.

On the back of the photograph was a handwritten message:

"If they discover the truth, Nomiie will be in danger."

Nomie dropped the photograph.

Her hands began to shake.

Then—

Her phone vibrated.

UNKNOWN NUMBER.

A message appeared.

“Your grandfather lied to you.”

Another message followed.

“If you want to know what really happened to your mother, go to the old library tomorrow.”

Nomie's eyes widened.

Then came the final message:

“Come alone.”

Outside the mansion, hidden in the darkness, a black car slowly drove away.

Inside the car, a mysterious man looked at Nomie's photograph.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"She finally found the message."

He picked up his phone.

"Tell the others..."

His eyes became cold.

"The hidden granddaughter is beginning to remember."

TO BE CONTINUED…