Eden stood at the entrance of the hotel, looking up at the towering building with a complicated expression. The events of the evening felt surreal, as if she had wandered through a vivid dream. The word "secretary" echoed in her mind, and she whispered it to herself, testing how it felt on her tongue. After a moment, she turned and walked away, her thoughts a tangled web of uncertainty and curiosity.
Eden's apartment in New York was small and a bit cramped, but she preferred it that way. Even though her ability could have easily earned her a penthouse or a villa, she found comfort in the cozy space. The city's hustle and bustle faded away inside those walls, and the closeness of her belongings made her feel safe. There was a certain loneliness in the quiet, but it was a loneliness she had grown used to.
After changing into her pajamas, Eden curled up on her bed, hugging a pillow to her chest and resting her chin on it. She thought about Su Zhan's offer. She had never really had a goal in life, drifting from day to day without purpose. Maybe it would not be so bad to accept his invitation. She could always leave if she grew bored, and at the very least, it would be something different from the monotony of her current existence. The thought made her smile, a little embarrassed by her own indecision.
Suddenly, a faint sound snapped her from her thoughts. Someone was fiddling with her door lock. Eden's eyes narrowed, but she did not panic. Instead, she listened, curious to see who would dare try to break into her home.
The rattling continued, the door trembling as if it might be forced open at any moment. For a brief second, Eden remembered what Su Zhan had told her earlier about a man named Sylar, a hunter of people with abilities. She did not know how she knew, but a chill ran down her spine. The feeling grew stronger, and she quickly abandoned her plan to confront the intruder directly. Instead, she slipped quietly into her bedroom, closed the door, and peered through the gap, heart pounding.
A loud crash echoed through the apartment as the front door was kicked open. A tall figure stepped inside, eyes scanning the room with predatory intent. It was Sylar.
He moved with unsettling confidence, quickly homing in on the bedroom. Eden bolted the door and called out, "Who are you? Why are you in my house?"
There was no answer. Instead, objects in the living room began to move. The lamp, the sofa, even the bedroom door itself trembled under Sylar's telekinetic grip.
The door shook violently, and Eden's voice trembled as she asked, "You're Sylar, aren't you? You came to take my ability?"
The commotion outside stopped, and Sylar's voice cut through the silence. "You know me? Did he tell you about me? I am curious—why didn't he take your ability? Can you tell me?"
Eden steadied her nerves, her mind racing. "You'd better leave. He's my boss now. If he finds out you're here, he won't let you go."
Sylar laughed, unconcerned. "You don't know, do you? Maybe you should go have a drink somewhere else. That's what you need most right now."
Eden tried to focus, her voice low and steady as she attempted to hypnotize him. Her ability was fast, but not instantaneous. It required a moment of concentration, a subtle weaving of her words. "You should leave," she said, her tone laced with suggestion.
But Sylar was prepared. He wore headphones, muffling her voice. It was not perfect protection, but it dulled the effect enough for him to resist. With another wave of his hand, the bedroom door crashed open and the sofa slammed into the wall. Eden stumbled back, retreating to the corner as Sylar entered, a wicked smile on his lips.
He glanced at the headphones, and Eden realized her power would not work on him. She felt herself lifted off the ground, Sylar's telekinesis pinning her in the air.
"It seems your boss won't be saving you tonight," Sylar sneered. "Let me see how your ability works. Hypnotizing others with your voice—what a fascinating trick."
He reached out, his fingers poised to cut into her forehead, his usual method for stealing abilities. Eden's heart pounded with regret. She should have accepted Su Zhan's offer and stayed by his side. Now, even if she wanted to, it was too late. She did not know how to contact him, and even if she did, she doubted she could be saved in time.
As Sylar's hand drew closer, Eden squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the end.
Suddenly, a loud crash shook the apartment. Eden opened her eyes in confusion to see Sylar pinned against the wall by a familiar band of dark green energy. She looked down and realized she was also held in place, the energy acting like a seatbelt to keep her from falling.
"Boss?" she called out, hope rising in her voice.
Su Zhan stepped into the room, his expression calm but resolute. "It seems you're accepting my invitation after all," he said with a gentle smile.
With a wave of his hand, Su Zhan released Eden from the energy grip, letting her down gently. She rushed to his side, eyes wide with relief and surprise. "How did you know I was in danger? How did you get here so quickly?"
Su Zhan grinned. "I finally found a secretary I like. I can't have her replaced before she even starts work, can I?"
In truth, it was a stroke of luck. Not long after Eden left, Su Zhan realized his positioning ability had returned. He used it to locate Eden and, on a whim, checked for Sylar as well. Discovering that the two were together and sensing the imminent danger, he rushed over immediately.
The timing could not have been better.
Seeing Eden's grateful expression, Su Zhan felt certain he had secured his secretary's loyalty. He turned to Sylar, who was still pinned helplessly to the wall.
"I have to admit, I admire your nerve," Su Zhan said, his tone almost conversational. "If I were you, I'd have hidden far away. I would have kept moving, living day by day, making the most of what time I had. But you—you came straight to me. Were you hoping I wouldn't find you?"
Sylar struggled against the green energy, teeth clenched in frustration. After a long, fruitless effort, he finally gave up and pleaded for mercy.
Su Zhan watched him with a mixture of amusement and disdain. For all his cunning, Sylar had underestimated him, the King.
And Eden, standing by Su Zhan's side, knew she had made the right choice.