Starlit Collision: When Worlds Converge

Ethan drummed his fingers on the mahogany desk in his apartment, staring at the encrypted message on his phone. His father's assistant, Ramirez, had finally responded to his request.

"Lily Wang. Scholarship student from Shanghai. Parents: Wang Jun (professor of economics) and Chen Mei (physician). No criminal record. No unusual financial activity. Standard upper-middle class background. Nothing suspicious."

He tossed the phone aside. After the library incident, he'd become increasingly convinced that Lily was Feng Yixin—daughter of the legendary Feng dynasty that controlled vast enterprises across Asia. The bodyguards, her composure under pressure, the way she'd had Faye investigated—all pointed to someone accustomed to power.

Yet the investigation turned up nothing but an ordinary family. Either his instincts were wrong, or Lily's cover was impeccable.

His phone buzzed again. A second message from Ramirez:

"Be careful. While investigating the Feng girl, found connections to the Laughing Vipers. They have people at Harvard watching several Chinese students. Could be related."

Ethan stiffened. The Laughing Vipers was a transnational crime syndicate even his father treated with caution—specialists in extortion, kidnapping, and corporate espionage who left their snake insignia at crime scenes, often with victims arranged in grotesque smiles. If they were involved, this was far more dangerous than campus drama.

—

Across Boston Harbor, in a penthouse suite overlooking the water, Victor Krane swirled amber liquid in a crystal glass. The silver-haired man watched as his associate placed photographs on the glass table between them.

"Our asset reports that none of the candidates has reacted definitively to our provocations," the associate said. "We still can't confirm which one is the Feng heiress."

Krane frowned. "Unacceptable. The deadline approaches. Intelligence suggests Feng Yixin is enrolled at Harvard under a false identity, but we need confirmation before moving forward."

"We've narrowed it to three possibilities. The Wang girl is our primary suspect—bodyguards disguised as students have been observed in her vicinity."

"Keep pushing. The Fengs have been untouchable for too long. If we can identify and secure their daughter, we gain significant leverage for our Macau negotiations."

"What about the Reyes boy? He's been seen consistently with the Wang girl."

"Interesting." Krane studied a surveillance photo showing Ethan and Lily walking across campus. "Diego's son, yes? Perhaps he can be useful. Find out what he knows."

"And if he doesn't know anything?"

"Then make him useful anyway." Krane's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Everyone has pressure points."

—

Ethan waited outside Lily's economics lecture, two coffee cups in hand. Their routine had become comfortable, but she still kept him at a careful distance—friendly but guarded, warm but never vulnerable.

"You're a mind reader," Lily said, accepting the coffee with a smile that made his chest tighten inconveniently.

"Just a good memory. You mentioned having back-to-back lectures on Thursdays."

They fell into step together, crossing the yard. Ethan noticed the two "students" trailing at a distance—her security detail maintained perfect coverage without being obvious.

"So," he began casually, "there's this benefit gala next weekend. My father's company sponsors it. Very exclusive, good networking opportunity. Would you like to come with me?"

Lily glanced at him, surprise flickering across her features. "That's... not really my scene."

"Mine either, honestly. But having good company would make it bearable."

She hesitated. "What company does your father run? You've never mentioned it."

A careful redirect—answering his question with one of her own. Classic.

"Import-export, primarily," Ethan replied smoothly. "Based in Mexico with operations throughout Latin America." Not technically a lie, though it omitted the less legal aspects of the Reyes empire.

Lily studied him with those penetrating eyes that always made him feel transparent. "I appreciate the invitation, but I should focus on my studies."

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. Ramirez again: "URGENT. Evidence suggests Laughing Vipers planning an extraction operation at Harvard. They're targeting several Chinese female students, trying to identify someone specific. Timeline: imminent."

Ethan's blood ran cold. An extraction usually meant kidnapping.

"Everything okay?" Lily asked, noting his expression.

"Just work stuff," he lied, mind racing. If the Laughing Vipers were targeting Chinese students at Harvard, and they were connected to Faye Feng, Lily was almost certainly on their list of suspects.

"You know," he said, making a split-second decision, "about that gala—it's high security. Very private. Might be a nice break from campus."

Something in his tone must have conveyed the unspoken message. Lily's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I'll think about it," she said cautiously.

When they parted, Ethan immediately called Ramirez.

"I need everything you have on the Vipers' operation, NOW!," he demanded. "And don't tell my father."

"Already sent what I have. They're using this Feng girl to try to identify someone on campus—they believe the Feng family's daughter is studying at Harvard under an alias. They have a list of suspects they're investigating."

"Who's behind it?"

"Victor Krane. He's pressuring the Fengs over casino licenses in Macau. Word is he thinks their daughter is in Boston and plans to use her as leverage—if he can figure out which student she is."

Ethan ended the call, mind whirling. He needed to warn Lily without revealing his suspicions about her identity. If he was wrong, he'd look paranoid. If he was right but she realized he'd been investigating her, he'd lose any trust they'd built.

His phone chimed with a file from Ramirez—surveillance photos of Faye meeting with known Laughing Vipers associates. At the edge of one image, barely visible, was a familiar face—one of Faye's constant companions on campus.

They were closer than he'd thought.

As he studied the photos, a text from an unknown number appeared:

"Mr. Reyes. Your father's reputation precedes him. We have a mutual interest regarding certain Chinese students at Harvard. Meet tomorrow, 8 PM, Black Harbor Lounge. Come alone."

Ethan stared at the message, adrenaline surging. The Laughing Vipers had found him. They knew about his father. And somehow, they believed he could help them identify their target.