**The Disguise**
The white *Cloudstrider* hovercraft descended toward the towering *Chaoge* building, its polished surface reflecting the afternoon sun like a bde. In the passenger seat, Qin Hong adjusted his bck tie, the tailored suit hugging his frame with understated elegance.
"Qin Hong... are you sure this will work?" Merkel fidgeted in the backseat, clutching the blue bowtie meant for his canine disguise. His voice wavered. "I'm not exactly... *experienced* at this."
Qin Hong tossed him a reassuring smirk over his shoulder. "Rex. You're just Naya's pampered showdog today. Observe, listen, and *don't* lick anything." He slid on his sungsses, the lenses tinting the world a cool, calcuted blue.
Naya, behind the wheel in a gold-strapped designer heels, snorted. "That suit does make you look like a *proper* scoundrel."
Merkel puffed up. "Of course! Hand-stitched Italian wool, custom-fitted to Qin Hong's measurements. The pels alone cost more than your—"
"*Focus,*" Qin Hong cut in as the *Cloudstrider* touched down.
---
### **The Grand Entrance**
A gilded heel struck the pavement first. Naya emerged like a stormfront—all sharp angles and sharper attitude. She tossed her handbag at Qin Hong without gncing back, her chin lifted to a regal disdain.
*Damn, she's good at this,* Qin Hong mused, falling into step behind her with Merkel (now a suspiciously stiff-legged corgi) cradled in his arms.
A sleek-haired woman in a pencil skirt intercepted them at the entrance. "Miss Naya, I'm Mr. Fei's secretary. He's expecting you upstairs."
Naya's gaze slid past her as if she were furniture. "*Lead.*"
When the secretary balked at Merkel, Naya's voice turned gcial. "My *bodyguard* stays with me. Unless you'd prefer to expin to my father why his daughter was left *unprotected*?"
The woman paled.
The elevator doors slid shut behind them.
---
### **The Grey Button**
Qin Hong's eyes locked onto the elevator panel—twenty floors, but the 18th button was *grayed out*.
Merkel let out a sharp *yip*, his doggy nose twitching toward it.
"*Quiet,*" Qin Hong hissed, but his pulse quickened. *That's where she is.*
The doors opened on the 17th floor to reveal twin mountains in bck suits. As Qin Hong passed them, one muttered, "Nice outfit. Buy-one-get-one-free at *Rent-a-Thug*?"
Qin Hong's jaw tightened.
At the executive suite, two more guards barred his path. "Mr. Fei will see *Miss Naya* only."
Naya snatched her bag and Merkel from Qin Hong. "*Useless.* Wait here."
The long-haired guard burst into ughter as the doors shut. "Hah! The *dog* gets in, but you don't!"
Qin Hong's knuckles whitened. "*Bathroom.*"
"Piss yourself, *pretty boy*," the guard sneered.
With a growl, Qin Hong stormed off—straight to the elevator. His finger hovered over the gray button... then pressed *19* instead.
---
### **The Office**
Da Fei's office was a study in calcuted opulence: jade carvings under gss, a desk of rare mahogany, and behind him—a floor-to-ceiling view of the city's emerald parknds.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Miss Naya?" Da Fei steepled his fingers, his smile revealing nicotine-stained teeth.
Naya let Merkel (now sniffing the baseboards) wander as she admired a dispy case. "You promised me first pick of your new collection, *Uncle* Fei."
His ugh boomed. "Take your choice!"
Her gaze snagged on the hexagonal ruby pinned to his pel. "*That's* exquisite."
Da Fei's hand flew to cover it. "Not for sale."
"Ah. A *lover's* gift, then?" Naya teased, but her pulse spiked when his expression darkened at the mention of his adopted daughter.
A sudden, searing pain nced through her chest.
Da Fei leaned forward. "Heart trouble?"
Naya forced a ugh, nudging Merkel with her foot—*except Merkel was convulsing on the floor, his paws flickering between fur and human fingers.*
---
### **The 18th Floor**
Qin Hong slipped into the stairwell, only to freeze at a voice like smoldering coal.
"*Where do you think you're going?*"
*Shit.* *Bze Bett.*
Qin Hong hunched his shoulders, adopting a whine. "Boss chewed me out. Said to... *roll* downstairs. That long-haired bastard wouldn't even let me—"
Bett's eyes narrowed. "*Get lost.*"
The moment Bett turned away, Qin Hong exhaled. The 18th-floor hallway was guarded, but the security was x—*too* x.
*Like they're hiding something ordinary.*
---
### **The Escape**
Naya emerged from Da Fei's office pale but composed, dumping Merkel and her bag back into Qin Hong's arms. "*Drive. Now.*"
Not until the *Cloudstrider* was miles away did Merkel revert, groaning. "*Never. Again.* Do you know how *humiliating* it is to—"
Qin Hong wasn't listening. His fingers drummed the dashboard. *Gray button. Ruby. The girl.*
They'd found the threads. Now to pull.
