Icy:
"If I were a criminal with a fake identity and millions in cash, this is exactly where I'd hide."
A hostess in heels guided them to a table overlooking a race track — not for ordinary cars, but for monster trucks.
Massive wheels. Engines roaring like beasts.
This wasn't a race — it was a show of power.
Kang (whispering):
"She calls it 'The Shadow on Wheels.' We believe she's laundering money here, under the cover of exclusive events."
The hostess placed two crystal glasses on the table. Then, she turned to Cha-yeon and said, with a knowing smile:
Hostess:
"Good evening, Miss Evelina. The usual?"
Cha-yeon froze.
Kang (sharp):
"She's not Evelina. Bring us the menu, please."
The hostess bowed politely, but her smile didn't fade.
She walked away — too fast, too smoothly.
Outside, a monster truck soared over a ramp, flipping in mid-air before landing with a thunderous crash.
Icy:
"She was here. Recently. Or… she still is."
Cha-yeon leaned back slightly in her seat, eyes darting across the restaurant.
Everyone was too elegant.
Too aware.
Too silent when they were supposed to be loud.
Icy:
"This place smells like perfume and fear."
A waiter came by with a silver cloche, but Cha-yeon noticed — he wasn't wearing a name tag.
His shoes were army-grade. His sleeves too stiff.
Cha-yeon (calm, to Officer Kang):
"We're being watched."
Kang gave the smallest nod, then tapped twice on the side of his watch. A signal.
Suddenly, a flicker — a tall woman, dressed in black velvet, appeared at the far end of the restaurant, standing beside the glass wall that overlooked the track.
From this distance, Cha-yeon could only see her silhouette — but the posture, the presence…
Inner Cha-yeon (Icy):
"That's me. No… that's her."
Cha-yeon (softly):
"Evelina."
Officer Kang (to Cha-yeon):
"Move. Now."
They stood. Cha-yeon tried to follow the direction the woman had gone, but the path was already closing. Waiters blocked the hallway. A man pretended to drop a tray, spilling cutlery — a perfect distraction.
By the time they reached the rear exit, she was gone.
The sound of metal grinding against metal split the night like a scream.
Down on the monster truck track, chaos had broken loose.
A massive truck with flaming exhaust pipes crushed a smaller vehicle in its path. Sparks flew. Engines roared. The audience screamed — but it wasn't excitement anymore. It was panic.
Someone had triggered something. Something wrong.
Lim Cha-yeon clutched her head, staggering backward. A sharp pain cut through her skull — not like a headache. Deeper. Familiar.
Icy (taking over, coldly):
"Enough."
Her gaze snapped up. Her movements became sharp, precise — like clockwork.
She reached into her coat and drew the concealed pistol the Bureau had issued her.
Icy (to Officer Kang, stern):
"Get me the man in the red vest. He was watching her, not us."
Kang nodded and signaled the team. Within moments, the suspect — tall, narrow-eyed, sweating — was dragged toward them near the side exit, where it was quieter.
Cha-yeon stepped forward, gun raised, voice low but lethal.
Icy (cold):
"Where's Evelina going next?"
Man (terrified):
"I-I don't know— She doesn't tell anyone exact—"
She fired into the ground near his foot.
He flinched violently.
Man (rushed, breaking):
"Okay! Okay! Marina Tower! 11th floor! Thursday at midnight. She's meeting her new partners— foreign buyers!"
Icy:
"Thank you for your cooperation."
She stepped back. Kang took over restraining him. The chaos from the track still echoed behind them like thunder.
But inside her, it was suddenly quiet.
Icy had what they needed.
And Cha-yeon… would soon face the shadow that wore her face.