Chapter 4

To celebrate Eira finally getting through the tough times, John grinned and said, "There's a new bar just up ahead. The bartender there's got some serious skills-wanna check it out?" They hit it off instantly and set off for the bar. It was still early, so the place wasn't packed yet. Still, the moment Eira walked in, heads started turning. She took off her sunglasses and casually hooked them onto her collar, glancing around with some interest. "Not bad," she commented. John immediately straightened his back a little. "Of course it's not. It's owned by a friend of my brother's. Back during renovation, they even asked him for input." Sneaking a quick look at her expression, he added, "Pretty sure you mentioned to my brother once that you wanted to open your own bar someday. Some of the design ideas in here? Totally yours." Eira didn't pick up on the hidden meaning in his words. She just nodded. "Ah, that explains why it feels kinda familiar." "Yeah, you can bet my brother remembers everything you've ever told him." As he led her inside, he started telling her how panicked his brother had been the whole time she was gone. Eira chose a seat by the bar, tapped a drink on the menu, and finally replied, "We grew up together. If he hadn't been worried, now that would've been strange." Hearing that, John was momentarily speechless. He mumbled under his breath, "Why can't you see it?" Right then, the bartender walked over, and Eira's attention was drawn to the overly dramatic flair moves he was pulling. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched the show with a small smile. "One more throw and the alcohol's gonna be all in the air, not in my glass." The bartender froze for a split second, then quickly toned it down. He poured the drink into a highball glass, added a fresh mint leaf on top, and slid it to her with a flourish. "Give it a try." As he spoke, he slipped off his gloves and pulled a business card from the drawer, sliding it across the table toward Eira with a hint of meaning in his eyes. "If you like the drink... I do private mixing too~" Eira just took a small sip. That familiar heat spread across her tongue, making her eyes narrow slightly in satisfaction. She didn't bother responding to the flirty offer. Just raised her glass a little before leaving the bar. Their booth was on the second floor. But just a few steps up, John's phone rang. He motioned for the attendant to take Eira upstairs first. By the time he walked into the room, there were already a few half highball glasses in front of her-each with a little leftover liquor still swirling at the bottom. John slid into the seat across from her and shook his phone. "Just heard back from the higher-ups. They're not ready to go public with the news about the Johnson girl's return yet." "What the-" Before the words even left her mouth, someone suddenly yanked open the private room's door. A young man in a cap and mask rushed in, breathing hard, while two bar staff tried and failed to hold him back. John looked annoyed as he glared at the intruder. "Who are you?" The man didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled off his mask with one swift motion, revealing a ridiculously good-looking face lit up with excitement. "Sis, I finally found you!" Even the staff froze when they realized who it was. Wasn't this the insanely popular star from just a while ago? Ethan Taylor? Eira clearly recognized him too. She motioned for the staff to leave, then smiled. "How'd you even know I was back?" She remembered the last time she sent Ethan to Stellaris Entertainment. Back then, he'd only come up to her shoulder-now, in just a few years, he looked completely grown-up. That starry-eyed kid chasing dreams had become a global celebrity in no time. Ethan didn't blink as he stared at her, then hurried to sit next to her, full of emotion. "My manager told me you might announce a comeback. But why didn't you tell me yourself?" John rolled his eyes hard and shot back, "You're so busy being famous that we can barely see your shadow. How would you have time for this?" "Yeah, not talking to you. Zip it," Ethan snapped back, not even looking at him. His gaze softened again as he turned to Eira. "I want to help you, sis." Eira knew there was no stopping him, so she gave in. "Alright, but no posting my photos anywhere. I don't want to spark gossip." "Got it, everything you say goes!" Meanwhile, in the car, Alexander sat quietly flipping through some documents. His brows knit tight as he recalled how Eira had spoken earlier at the civil office. Something about her felt different, unsettling almost... A sudden ringtone cut through his thoughts. He answered, and a gentle female voice came through. "Alex, the hospital suddenly told me today that my attending physician was reassigned. A new doctor came in to change my dressing... I'm scared..."" "I'm worried my hand won't heal right, and that I'll never play the piano again." Sophia Clark's voice trembled with unshed tears-it tugged at the heart. Something flickered in Alex's eyes. He gripped the phone tighter and said in a low voice, "I'll be right there." Just then, from the passenger seat, Daniel suddenly burst out. "Mr. Brooks! There's a new lead-someone said the Johnson family's eldest daughter is still alive, though it's only a blurry image. Not confirmed." "Is it credible? Look into it!"