Lyra stepped out from behind a tree, looking calmly at Sylvie.

"You're just friends, right? Walking each other home is no big deal, is it?"

Sylvie’s face flushed, then paled. She finally managed to force a smile. "You're right. I was overthinking it."

Only then did Lyra look at Lucien before walking ahead towards their building.

Lucien quickly caught up, but he remained silent, not offering a single word of explanation.

As soon as Lyra got home.

Chloe texted her: *[We're throwing you a farewell party this Friday. You're not allowed to bail!]*

Lyra smiled.

She looked up at Lucien and asked calmly, "I have a party this Friday. Do you want to come?"

Lucien was taken aback, a little surprised.

This was the first time Lyra had ever invited him to one of her parties.

Meeting her calm, placid eyes, his heart gave a strange leap, and he found himself agreeing. "Okay, I'll be there."

On the day of the party, Lyra went straight to the venue after work.

Her friends gathered around her, reluctant to see her go. "You're going to Germany! It'll be so hard to see you. We'll miss you so much."

Lyra smiled genuinely and hugged them back. "It's okay. Once I make my fortune in Germany, I'll bring you all over and take care of you."

Her friend finally laughed through her tears.

Chloe, however, was looking at the door. "Didn't you say your boyfriend was coming? Where is he?"

Just as Lyra was about to speak, she heard Lucien’s voice from behind her.

"We're not late, are we?"

Lyra turned around, her pupils contracting. Lucien had arrived, but standing beside him was Sylvie.

Everyone stared at the scene in shock.

Lucien remained unruffled, explaining, "Sylvie heard we were going to a party and wanted to come along. You don't mind, do you?"

Lyra's lips twitched.

Of course she minded. But Sylvie was already here. Was she supposed to kick her out?

"Come on in. Make yourselves at home," was all Lyra could say.

The farewell dinner was excruciatingly awkward.

In front of all her friends, Lucien served Sylvie food. "Here, your favorite, braised ribs with potatoes."

Chloe finally couldn't take it anymore and snorted. "Lucien, your girlfriend can't reach her favorite dish. Why don't you get some for her too?"

Lucien froze, completely at a loss.

Lyra knew why. He had no idea what she liked.

"It's okay, I'll get it myself." She forced a smile and spun the lazy Susan on the table.

The meal ended in a strange, tense atmosphere.

Still feeling indignant, Chloe suggested, "Now that we're full, how about a game of Mafia at the board game cafe next door?"

Lyra stiffened.

She knew Chloe was trying to help her get some payback, but she was planning to break up with Lucien tomorrow…

She was about to refuse when Lucien, surprisingly, nodded in agreement.

The group trooped over to the board game cafe.

Chloe volunteered to be the moderator. After dealing out the role cards, everyone closed their eyes.

The game progressed quickly. After a few rounds, the situation was clear.

There were two wolves left. Lucien was the Seer and had successfully identified the first wolf. One remained.

Lyra was the Witch. She had revealed her identity and, thanks to her antidote, had survived to the final round.

Whether by chance or by fate.

Only the three of them were left. And it was obvious that Sylvie was the last wolf.

Lyra looked at Lucien. "You've verified my identity. If you vote with me to eliminate Sylvie, we win."

Sylvie knew she was exposed. With no defense, she resorted to pleading. "Lucien, I'm really not the wolf! Please, just trust me this one time?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Alright, time to vote."

Unsurprisingly, Lyra and Sylvie pointed at each other. Then, they both turned to look at Lucien.

Lucien pondered for a moment, under the gaze of everyone present.

"I vote for Lyra," he said gravely.

Lyra froze.

Before she could react, her friend scoffed. "Are you kidding me? What's the point of playing like this? We might as well not play at all and just let everyone get by on begging."

At the comment, Sylvie’s eyes immediately reddened.

She gave Lucien a pitiful look, then turned to the group. "I don't know what I did wrong to be targeted like this. If you don't want to play with me, I'll just leave."

With that, she ran out of the room.

Lucien immediately stood up and shot a cold, accusatory look at Lyra. "It's just a game. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

He was about to chase after Sylvie.

Lyra instinctively grabbed his arm. "Don't go."

Her friends were all here. If Lucien left just like that, how embarrassing would that be for her?

Lucien’s eyes flickered. He had clearly considered this.

But in the end, he shook her hand off. "This one's on me. Everyone, enjoy yourselves."

Then, without a second thought, he turned and left.

He had chosen to abandon her to go after Sylvie.

Lyra stared blankly at Lucien’s retreating back, a cold desolation washing over her heart.

The entire table fell silent.

Chloe looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Lyra. I didn't think it would turn out like this."

Lyra snapped back to reality and forced a smile.

"It's fine. I know you were just trying to stick up for me. But this was supposed to be my farewell party. We're better off without them. Now we can really talk, right?"

Under the lights, her eyes were shockingly red.

But she smiled and raised her glass. "Cheer up! Me leaving is a good thing. You should be happy for me. So, a toast to me…"

She thought for a moment, then said with tears in her eyes.

"To my future, may it be bright and beautiful, and may I get everything I've ever wished for!"