Chapter 30: Side Character x Mafia Boss (30)

Down in the main corridor, Elena furiously chewed on her thumbnail, her chest heaving with anxious breaths. She couldn’t get the image of Alastair carrying Lyra up the stairs out of her head.

Why would that monster drag her up to his private rooms like that?! Elena thought frantically. What is he planning to do to my innocent, fragile friend?!

Before she could take a single step toward the main staircase, two scary looking guards blocked her path, their arms crossed tightly over their broad chests.

"Miss Hart`, Boss ordered you back to your room immediately," the head guard said, his voice cold.

Without giving her a chance to protest, the two men grabbed her arms and harshly escorted her down the long hallway toward her guest quarters.

Elena winced as their heavy grip dug into her wrists, but as they dragged her past the servant’s hallway utility cart, her sharp eyes caught a small glint of silver. Resting right on the edge of a cleaning basket was a thin metal hairpin and a sturdy wire twist-tie.

Keeping her posture low and pretending to stumble, Elena quickly reached out her hand, casually sweeping the tiny metal objects into the palm of her hand before slipping them deep into her skirt pocket.

The guards didn’t notice a thing. They shoved her into her room, slammed the wooden door shut, and turned the lock from the outside.

Elena stood in the middle of the quiet room, staring at the locked door with a determined glare. She pulled out the hairpin and wire, her lips curling into a subtle smirk.

"Just wait, Alastair," Elena whispered to herself, carefully bending the metal hairpin into the shape of a lockpick. "I’m getting Lyra out of this hellhole tonight."

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Meanwhile, inside the luxurious master bedroom...

Alastair was standing near the large glass balcony doors, holding a glass of amber liquid. The curtains were half-drawn, casting soft shadows across the lavish room.

A quiet knock echoed on the double doors, and two senior house servants stepped in carrying silver trays laden with a feast- steaming garlic butter steak, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh berry tarts, and a pot of high-grade Earl Grey tea.

The maids quickly arranged the food on the small marble dining table near the sofa, bowing respectfully before hurrying out of the room under Alastair’s intimidating, dark gaze.

"Come eat," Alastair said, turning his head toward the bed. His raspy voice instantly lost its threatening edge, becoming surprisingly soft.

Lyra, who had been hiding under the duvet trying to make herself look invisible, slowly poked her head out.

The mouth-watering smell of fresh steak and berry tarts instantly filled her nostrils, making her stomach let out a embarrassingly loud gurgle.

Alastair’s dark grey eyes softened, a tiny flicker of amusement touching his sharp face. He walked over to the bed, reaching down to gently pull back the duvet.

"Don’t make me carry you to the table," he murmured, his thumb lightly brushing across her soft jawline.

"I’m walking! I’m walking right now!" Lyra squeaked out, hopping off the plush mattress so fast she nearly tripped over her own feet again.

She scurried over to the marble table and sat down on the soft chair. Alastair sat down directly across from her, his long legs crossing comfortably as he poured a fresh cup of hot tea and slid it toward her plate.

He didn’t eat much himself. Instead, he simply rested his chin on his hand, his dark gaze fixed entirely on her face as she began happily devouring the warm food.

Every time she took a big bite, her soft cheeks puffed up like a tiny hamster, making his chest tighten with an unbearable, sweet ache. He reached across the table, taking a soft white napkin and gently wiping a small spot of sauce from the corner of her lips.

Lyra froze mid-chew, her dark eyes wide like a frightened deer.

"Eat slowly," Alastair murmured smoothly, his fingers lingering near her cheek for an extra second before he pulled his hand back. "No one is taking it from you."

Lyra offered him a stiff, polite nod, chewing as fast as she could to swallow the food so she could talk to her internal system in peace.

System! Lyra screamed frantically inside her head, keeping her face completely expressionless. Can’t you just activate an emergency transfer and send me to the next novel mission right now?! I am literally sitting in the lion’s den!

A translucent blue interface popped up right beside Alastair’s head, completely invisible to him.

[ I can’t, Host! ] the System sobbed, its digital icon drooping in despair. [ World Transfer Protocols strictly require the main storyline of the current world to reach an official conclusion! Until the narrative reaches its ending node, my transfer functions are completely locked! ]

What are my options then?! Lyra wailed internally, taking a quick sip of her tea to calm her racing heart.

[ According to the basic system rules... ] the System explained, pulling up two big red text boxes. [ It is either you successfully help the Female Lead escape so the main plot can resolve... or you die by the Male Lead’s hand in this world! ]

Lyra nearly choked on her tea, glaring furiously at the blue screen.

Dying by his hand won’t happen for sure! Lyra countered sharply in her mind, casting a quick side-eye at Alastair, who was currently watching her with a dark, terrifyingly possessive gaze. Look at him! If I try to trigger a tragedy arc, he won’t kill me- he’d rather cripple my legs, lock me in a silver cage, and keep me by his side forever!

The System paused its diagnostic sweep, running a quick psychological match. [ ...Honestly, Host, based on his current 88% Obsession Level and 82% Darkened Value... that calculation is 100% accurate. ]

So the ONLY way out of this nightmare is to help the Female Lead escape this place as fast as possible! Lyra concluded, her eyes flashing with renewed determination. If Elena escapes, the main plot will be forced to shift toward the final confrontation between the Hart family and Alastair! That will draw his attention away from me and buy us enough time to fix the narrative!

[ The System nodded rapidly. ]

[ That is a solid logical plan, Host! But how are you going to help her escape when you are literally locked in the Male Lead’s private master suite?! ]

Lyra took a slow, thoughtful bite of her berry tart, her chaotic mind instantly cooking up a classic web novel scheme.

He thinks I’m just a helpless, food-loving maid, Lyra thought with a sly inner smirk. Late at night, when he falls asleep, I’ll use the excuse of getting a late-night kitchen snack to sneak out of this room. Then I’ll find Elena, help her unlock her door, and guide her to the secret service exit in the back kitchen!

[ Wow, Host... that actually sounds like a real plan! ] the System praised, impressed. [ Just make sure he doesn’t catch you, or his darkened value will instantly hit 100%! ]

Don’t worry, I’m a professional background character, Lyra thought proudly, wiping her hands on a napkin. Stealth is my specialty.

Alastair watched her subtle facial expressions change- from shocked to thoughtful, and finally to a subtle, confident smirk. He had no idea what silly thoughts were running through her head, but seeing her look so lively and bright filled him with a deep satisfaction.

"Finished?" Alastair asked softly, setting his cup down.

"Yes, Boss!" Lyra said brightly, standing up from the table. "The food was amazing!"

Alastair stood up as well, walking closer to her. He reached out, his long fingers lightly tracing the soft fabric of her sleeve.

"Good," he whispered, his voice dark. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, your new life here official begins."

Lyra gave him another sweet, fake smile while screaming internally: Yeah right! Tomorrow I’m going to be ten miles away from this mansion!

The moment Alastair stepped out of the master suite, the soft, fond look on his face vanished completely. His dark grey eyes glinted with an dangerous light as he glanced down the quiet corridor toward the guards stationed at the end of the hall, walking away without making a single sound.

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Later that night...

Are you done yet?!! Lyra asked frantically inside her head, pacing back and forth near the edge of the massive king-sized bed.

[ I am trying, Host! Just give me a few more seconds! ] the System replied, its digital interface glowing brightly as its core processor worked overtime. [ I am trying to hack into the mansion’s smart grid system to trigger a fake security alert on the east wing! That will draw the Male Lead and his high-level guards away from this floor, giving us the perfect window to slip out! ]

Hurry up before he comes back! Lyra whispered, wringing her hands together nervously.

[ Almost there... just finalizing the script override... ]

Ten minutes passed in complete silence. The room was dark, lit only by the faint moonlight streaming through the balcony curtains.

Ding!

[ Finally! It’s done, Host! The security override is set! ] the System announced triumphantly, floating out of its diagnostic mode.

However, the moment the System came fully back online and scanned the bedroom floor, its digital eye froze in absolute shock.

Lyra- who had been fully dressed, fully prepared, and mentally ready to pull off the greatest escape operation of her life; was currently curled up in a neat little ball under the heavy duvet, fast asleep. A faint snore escaped her soft lips.

[ HOST! WAKE UP! ] the System shrieked inside her mind, its blue light flashing wild red warnings. [ WE ARE GETTING LATE FOR THE MISSION! DON’T TELL ME YOU FELL ASLEEP WHILE WAITING FOR ME TO FINISH THE SETTINGS?! ]

Lyra merely shuffled slightly under the warm, comfortable blankets, burying her face deeper into the plush pillow, completely dead to the world. Her fragile body had simply been too exhausted from all the running, hiding, and high-stress drama of the day.

[ Oh no, oh no, oh no... ] The System suddenly realized something was terribly wrong with the room’s atmosphere.