People are already used to her bout of unpredictable, sparse visits in the headquarters, so her sudden disappearance in the Underworld for a few months or even years won't rouse curiosity, nor would it cause repercussions on her reputation and influence.

Her pregnancy would eventually be evident soon, and she'll have to make a gradual tactical retreat from the Underworld before the little bun grows from her womb.

​​

Things in the Human Realm are a bit different, however. Although she doesn't make many appearances in public, she's still a public figure. She's bound to make an appearance outside familiar grounds and see people, such as in meetings and formal events.

Like the Fashion Week, for example. Fortunately, her baby bump isn't showing yet.

After she and Death called it a day and went to retire in their respective rooms, Lillie slept alone with her baby and Storm later that night.

Storm usually prefers to sleep in his cave. But tonight, he felt that his mistress was feeling a bit lonely, so he decided to accompany her. He settled himself at the side beneath the bed.

Ethan was out of town on a business trip in Shanghai to fix an issue she has no idea what it was about.

To say the least, she felt lonely and cold on the king-sized bed they shared for nearly half a year now. More than usual now that pregnancy hormones are affecting her emotions.

"There, there, little one," She caressed her flat stomach that shelters a new, budding life that resulted from hers and Ethan's love. "Daddy won't be gone for too long. Know that being separated from us would sadden him too. He loves us so much, that doting man."

She knows that her baby's sense of hearing isn't developed yet, but she can't help but talk to the little one. It also helped her relieve some of the loneliness she feels.

Taking a deep, slow breath, Lillie closes her eyes and waited for sleep to consume her. Exempting Storm's relaxed breathing and the insects singing outside—although the closed windows did a great job in muffling the noise—everything else was quiet.

The ears are her most active sense organ. Whenever her consciousness was compromised by sleep, her hearing was sensitive.

Tomorrow would be another hectic and tiresome day. She needs to rest as much as she could to store up the energy she'll exert for it.

Rattle...

***

Four shadowy figures nimbly and quietly entered their target's house in the dead of night, jumping over the walls encasing the estate and evading the security's watchful gaze.

Their mission is to find any evidence of Lillie Bai and Ethan Li's affiliation in the Underworld. They've memorized the estate's layout from every nook and cranny. It would help them know where they should start searching and be wary of the places to avoid.

And in case they were caught, they've planned an escape route before jumping in. Although they're pretty sure they won't happen. They've been in this business for years and have successfully sneaked into many highly secured facilities without ever being caught or noticed.

They're elites, one of the Uncrowned Leaders. Even the government would commission them when their own agents couldn't handle the assignment without compromising it.

Sprinting through the dim, eerie hallways, the group split into two upon encountering two separate paths going towards the left and right.

What's up with this couple? They would understand why they have a separate office, but why are they at different corners of the house, far away from each other? Aren't they suppose to be close? Or are they just fooling the public, pretending to be all lovey-dovey?

Unbeknown to these spies, Lillie and Ethan were already planning to solve that problem. Because they weren't close at the beginning of their arrangement as live-in partners, they naturally have their own separate private spaces.

But everything's good now, and they're going to have a little bun in about nine months.

Inside Lillie's office, the pair immediately inspected everything. Drawers were opened, frames in the wall moved and palpated, and the floor knocked on to listen for hollowness. All to unravel secret compartments that might contain what they're looking for.

Documents upon documents were scanned, books on the shelves pulled and opened one by one.

No rock was left unturned.

But nothing suspicious was found.

Strange. Everything's awfully clean. Their employer was adamant that Lillie Bai and Ethan Li have connections in the Underworld. Even they suspect the same.

No. They are certain that these two, and their whole families are, or at least have interacted with someone from the Underworld.

No one is clean, especially not the upper-class people. They wouldn't be where they are if they're completely virtuous and free from the Underworld's influence. These two must be frighteningly good in hiding their stench.

Hopefully, the other pair had better luck than them.

***

"These people are good," Shi, the leader of intruders, cursed under his breath. They gathered at their rendezvous point—which was the most unused room in the mansion—after hours of futile scouring.

"Senso and I found nothing in Ethan Li's office," Seifuku reported to their leader.

Kikin sighed, wishing she could go home and sleep for a week. "The documents Shi and I found in Lillie Bai's office are only about the White Phoenix Empire."

"Cleaning up is a real pain though. Why do we even bother to arrange everything back in place?" Senso complained.

"We're not savages like you, Senso." Kikin snorted, crossed her arms condescendingly. "Do you know how annoying it is already to know that someone is snooping into your stuff without permission? What more if you see it chucked around everywhere?"

"You have annoying little siblings. I get it already. Geez."

"Shut up, you two. I'm trying to think."

"You're going to hurt yourself for that, boss."

"Shut up, Senso!"

"Children, please, use your inside voices." Seifuku, the mother-hen of the team and self-proclaimed the only sane and mature one, sighed. She wouldn't be surprised if they get caught with how much noise they make.

Thankfully, the room they're in is at the farthest and unfrequented corner of the mansion.

"The offices prove to be a dead end. We have no choice but to enter the tiger's den." Shi clicked his tongue.

"By tiger's den, you mean..." Kikin narrowed her eyes at their leader.

"Let's hope the tigress doesn't wake up."