Part 2The Silent Echo of Us

Honestly, I only found out today that Sebastian was my investor.

Hardly any of my actual fans showed up to the press conference.

Instead, I was hit with an industry blacklist.

My book was being pulled from all online platforms, and the physical copies were halting production.

"Maya, I'm afraid the movie adaptation is dead in the water."

After the event, my editor, Oliver, pulled me aside.

I stood by the exit, a little dazed.

His eyes landed on my ear, hesitating for a moment.

He asked, "Your... ear?"

I touched the hearing aid hidden beneath my hair, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "Yeah... The doctor said there's a new surgical implant available. I wanted to try it."

Over the last few years, my hearing had steadily deteriorated.

If I didn't stare directly at someone's lips, I essentially couldn't understand a word they were saying.

The surgery cost $100,000. If I lost my royalties, there was no way I could afford it.

Oliver sighed. "I'm so sorry. I can't help you."

I knew it was hard for him too. We were just a small publishing house trying to survive.

No one expected us to be targeted by apex capital.

The manuscript I wrote years ago had been dug up and hyped into a frenzy, pushing me directly into the crosshairs.

"It's okay. I'll figure something else out."

He patted my shoulder.

Before he could finish his sentence, someone violently bumped into me. I stumbled forward, and my hearing aid flew out of my ear and hit the floor.

"Oh man, I'm so sorry..."

A delivery guy scrambled into the elevator and disappeared.

I crouched down and realized the delicate device was cracked in half.

The noisy ambient sounds of the venue were instantly muffled, turning into a thick, underwater hum.

Until a shadow cast over me, blocking the overhead lights.

A pair of polished black dress shoes stopped right in front of me.

I looked up.

Sebastian, looking impeccable in his tailored suit.

Through the cold, metallic frames of his glasses, he looked down at me with absolutely zero warmth.

His hand was resting against a towering stack of delivery boxes that had almost tipped over. His brows were furrowed in deep irritation.

"Are you deaf?"

I read his lips perfectly.

I also saw the terrified delivery worker pushing the cart next to him, apologizing profusely.

Apparently, I had crouched right in the middle of the hallway, blocking his path, and I hadn't heard his warnings.

Sebastian had caught the heavy boxes just before they crushed me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

I frantically stuffed the broken pieces of my hearing aid into my purse, stood up, and apologized to the worker.

Sebastian pulled his hand back, and the boxes slammed onto the floor right next to my feet.

"This is my building. I don't want any accidents happening on the premises. That is all."

With that, he turned and walked away without a single backward glance.