Chase more dreams and fewer people. Be wary of self-limiting thoughts.

  Lina once told herself this affirmation when she was standing at the platform of her graduating class, giving a speech to her entire student population. When Lina placed on her graduation cape, a PhD stash across her shoulders, she realized how grateful it was to pursue education.

  Everyone told her college would be useless. Nowadays, you could get a high-paying job without a degree. But what they don't tell you is that everyone was connected. For those who grew up without opportunities, a degree was the first track to obtaining the starting step to success.

  Lina was glad she pushed through. She was happy that her hard work paid off and she stood where she was right now—at the top of the pyramid.

  "Director," Estella murmured, walking into the office after being allowed entry through a knock.

  "The people are beginning to look at the plague more than the art pieces," Estella reported.

  Estella tightened her grip on her tablet and gazed through the schedule. Since it was a Monday and no one wanted to work, this was the lightest day of the week.

  "The plague, what a creative nickname," Lina mused. The far opposite of Eden.

  "Well, when you avoid him as such, the nickname stuck," Estella responded with a slight smile.

  Estella could never express how thankful she was of Lina. A fresh graduate out of college could never dream of getting as high of a paying job as a beginner secretary. When Estella had no prestigious background and possessed nothing but determination and diligence, Lina took a chance on her. Now, Estella was one of the most respected assistants in her field.

  Not only was Lina a fair employer who rarely expected overtime, but she paid everyone beyond the expected wages. Although her personal income was cut short from this sacrifice, Lina never complained. She placed her income in a variety of long-term and current assets and equities ranging from stocks, investments, crypto, and the likes.

  "Director, I never got to thank you for having security follow me yesterday," Estella suddenly murmured.

  "Estella—"

  "But please never do it again. Your safety was at risk."

  Lina was certain she'd be fine.

  "You're only human, Director. As independent as you are, you're not invincible," Estella stated.

  "Sharply noted," Lina said, grabbing her phone.

  "In regards to Milo," Estella began, already understanding what would be disturbing Lina right now. "Your security team reports he is, indeed, back at his apartment. They were intervened by Chairman DeHaven's people at the club."

  "Is the club truly owned by Kaden?" Lina questioned.

  "You and I both saw the answer ourselves," Estella stated. "The manager's pin was unidentifiable."

  "I've never seen the symbol before," Lina admitted. That was saying a lot for someone who grew up as a Yang.

  Since her early days, Lina was exposed to the inner workings of her complicated family. Lina was taught the different symbols of powerful clans, like the Zhao family who had an iron grip on tourism, one of Ritan's largest earnings.

  "It mustn't be a newly surfaced triad either, considering how powerful and large their territory is," Lina sighed. "They must have been underground for a while to go undetected by even my family."

  Estella blinked at the mention of the Yangs. Lina never spoke ill of them. In fact, sometimes Lina praised her family for making her as resilient as she was now. Other times, Lina frowned at the discussion of her family name. The Yangs weren't bad people, the Director would say. They were just businessmen.

  "Should we look more into it?" Estella asked.

  "No need," Lina stated. "I've already made a tip to the chief of police."

  Estella left out the comment that with the help of Chairman Dehaven, they'd have the answer within minutes. Instead of relying on him, Lina relied on herself.

  "We can't be heroes blinded by righteousness and foolish pride," Estella murmured. "The tip to the police might not do much."

  "I'm an art director, not a drug buster," Lina responded. "I've done as much as my power allows."

  "Let's stop there then," Estella suggested. "We do not want to step into unknown territories."

  Lina's gallery was open to the public. Limitless was always a prestigious place, but it could easily be physically damaged. Lina knew how the underworld warned of incoming death.

  Instead of responding, Lina gazed at the time. Enough for her to make it to Milo's place, he got his own house, but with his income coming from the Yang, so was his apartment.

  "Where are you headed for, Director?" Estella asked, surprised when Lina suddenly rose to her feet. "We've ordered lunch for you."

  "Please share it amongst my staff and chauffeur, they deserve it for their hard work," Lina said.

  "You spoil us too much. How will we ever recover if we go to another employer?" Estella groaned.

  "I've spoiled you with the intention to never work for another," Lina mused. "But not enough for you to be spoiled rotten."

  "Good call," Estella responded in her same, monotone voice.

  Estella was glad that Lina knew how to properly indulge people. If her staff was too spoiled by goodness, some might grow greedy. Lina kept her kindness within reigns, never giving too much or too little. It was just the right amount.

  "About the artist," Lina began.

  "Were you able to locate him finally?" Lina murmured.

  "Not really. We haven't been able to get a hold of him, despite waiting in front of his apartment and calling him. I'm afraid we've lost a talent," Estella said.

  Lina softly frowned. "Add a visit to my schedule. I'd hate to see him go."

  "We've done all we could, it's best to leave him be. You're working both as a consultant and curator, handling both the business and personal side of artists, it's already not easy to be in your shoes," Estella reminded her. "Despite the staffs we've hired to properly manage each artist."

  Estella gave a pointed look. "Besides, he trashed our meeting room in red. It's good as severing ties with us."

  "Look into my connections at other galleries. See if one of them has tried to poach him," Lina decided.

  Estella could always leave it up to Lina with the good ideas. "Right away."

  Estella added that to her to-do list. Then, she glanced up to see Lina was heading for the door.

  "Where are you headed to, Director?" Estella asked. She used the titles interchangeably. In public, she'd always try to address Lina with a proper title, but Lina wasn't fond of such things.

  "To make sure Milo isn't choking on his vomit from consuming that much alcohol," Lina muttered.

  "So, to shop for groceries and cook for your baby brother?" Estella reworded. "I wish you would be more honest with yourself, Director. You're so caring, but never admit it."

  "Well, you know adolescents, they hate it when anyone cares for them," Lina said. "Especially my hard-headed younger brother. We used to bicker from morning to dawn."

  "Now, you nag him from sunrise to sunset," Estella jokes. "You went from sibling to parent."

  Lina laughed at her words. She still remembered the days she'd yank at Milo's hair as he tugged at ers, whilst fighting over something stupid. She couldn't even remember what it was. Except, a small kick at the dinner table was enough for a fight to ensue. She missed those bittersweet days.

  The second Lina walked out of her office, her smile died down. Crumbled, even.

  "My god," Lina gritted out, highly irritated.

  "I'm your god now?"