Be stared intently at the man in the photograph, her heart tightening and then racing wildly.


    The photo was old, judging by the yellow-stained edges. The two men were close, with tender affection evident between them.


    Even though the photo could not speak, Be could tell that her brother and this man were lovers. The deep affection in their eyes was unmistakable. Asher''s smile in the photo was bright and passionate, like a blooming sunflower. It was a smile she had never seen him wear, not even toward Arnold. A strange, indescribable emotion clogged Be''s chest, making her feel inexplicably ufortable.


    Suddenly, steady footsteps echoed outside the study. Be hurriedly returned the Bible to its ce and slipped the photo into her shirt pocket. The door clicked open.


    Asher entered, wearing deep blue satin pajamas. Seeing Be, a smile immediately reached his eyes.


    "Be, when did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"


    "Not too long." Be''s beautiful face stiffened slightly as she nced outside. "Ash, is Arnold awake?"


    "Not yet. He loves to sleep in. Afterst night''s fun, I doubt he''ll be up before the afternoon." Asher''s dark eyes rippled with hidden emotions, and his lips curled in a gentle, indulgent smile.


    Be bit her rosy lips and took a deep breath. “Ash, close the door. I need to talk to you alone."


    Asher, not thinking much of it, turned and closed the door. He walked back to her, concerned. “Be, you don''t look well. What''s wrong?"This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    Be lowered her eyshes and slowly reached into her shirt pocket, pulling out the photo. She handed it to Asher.


    "Ash, who is this?"


    Asher looked at the photo, and his face instantly lost all color.


    His heart ached fiercely, then began to pound uncontrobly. So many years had passed, yet seeing him again still made his heart race, as if it were their first meeting.


    "Your former lover?" From his stunned expression, Be received the confirmation she sought.


    Asher''s fingers trembled as he took the photo, his voice hoarse. "You found that Bible?"


    “identally. Ash, you know I can''t resist ''treasure hunting'' in your study.”


    Asher''s lips twitched, his gaze filled with sorrow. His heart felt as though it were stuffed with blood-soaked cotton.


    "When I was ''The Matrix'' in Overcast,


    he was also one of the leaders. He saved my life more than once. He was one of the people I trusted and cared for the most in this world."


    Be certainly knew about Overcast, as it had once been thergest gang in the country, with influence spanning the continent.


    At its peak Southern Star Syndicate


    could notpare to the former glory of Overcast. However, Overcast eventually disbanded, and its members scattered across the globe.


    Some core members had founded their own organizations, but none could recreate Overcast''s brilliance under themand of The Matrix.


    Be lowered her voice. "Where is he now?"


    "He''s dead."


    I


    Asher felt an emptiness in his chest. The heart that had died with him all those years ago seemed to be ripped out once more, fresh and bleeding. "Six years ago, he was discovered to be an undercover agent sent by an underground organization called K from Sentania. He infiltrated Overcast to steal information and undermine our power."