Viviana entered the Red Light nightclub as dusk settled, her demeanor a mix of anxiety and wariness.After everything that had transpired, the last thing she wanted was to be recognized.The pulse of electronic music reverberated through the room as the current dancers rehearsed their routines half-heartedly, aware that their audience wouldn’t be focused on their choreography.The retro Eurodance beat betrayed Anthony’s age as he inspected glasses and bottles, swaying subtly to the rhythm emanating from the speakers.Sliding onto a barstool, Viviana scanned her surroundings, her gaze darting left and right.Anthony turned to her with a broad grin, a man satisfied with her work.“You’re almost dancing,” Viviana remarked.“Men don’t dance,” Anthony replied, brushing it off. “But this music was a hit back in the day.”“Before I was born, I guess... Anyway, it’s time for me to disappear.”Anthony mirrored her cautious glances around the room.The waitresses were preoccupied setting up tab

The dim, eerie warehouse was filled with the oppressive silence of emptiness. Briana sat alone, her eyes swollen and burning from hours of crying.Freed from her gag, she had tried screaming, but as the hooded man had warned her, it was useless.“HELP! For Christ’s sake, you can’t leave me here alone!” Briana’s voice echoed hauntingly through the cavernous space, amplifying the void around her.She panted, scanning the shadows for any sign of life.“What happened... where is everyone... Mark, where are you?”Suddenly, the faint sound of elegant footsteps broke the silence.Briana froze, holding her breath as she tried to locate the source.Something about the measured rhythm of the steps sent a shiver through her.“Such refined steps,” she thought. “Those shoes must cost a fortune... maybe the ‘boss’ of these kidnappers is finally showing up. I’ll finally know who hired that snake, Viviana...”Drawing a deep breath, Briana mustered a scornful smile. As Mark Ferro’s wife, she refused t

Mark allowed himself a faint smile, sensing that Adrian might be right. Anthony Curtis seemed exactly the type to throw his own son under the bus if it suited his purposes.Pausing for a moment, Mark mulled over their next steps. Adrian remained on the cot, his posture tense and his face clouded with frustration.“For now,” Mark said finally, “you’re going to have to play the role of the desperate son who needs Daddy to come to his rescue. Afterward, you can deal with him however you see fit.”Adrian leaned forward, his voice rising with conviction. “I’ll throw him out of the apartment, that’s for sure! I want nothing to do with someone who facilitates crimes. Why did he do it?”He shook his head as though trying to dislodge the thought. “It’s like I don’t even know who he really is.”For a fleeting moment, Mark felt a pang of genuine pity for Adrian. He recognized the anguish of a man grappling with the betrayal of someone he should have been able to trust.“Adrian,” Mark said, his t

Outside the nightclub, where the muffled Euro Dance beats faded into the background, Anthony paced the sidewalk, his desperation mounting.“Son, how did you manage to call?” he asked, his voice trembling.******In the operations center, Adrian reclined in his cell, grinning like a cat playing with a mouse. The assistant beside him, professional yet quietly amused, gave him a thumbs-up of approval.“Dad,” Adrian continued, laying it on thick. “Why is this happening? Everyone’s being kidnapped!”“Don’t panic, son! I’ll save you!” Anthony shouted. “How much do they want?”“Why was I kidnapped with Briana?” Adrian asked, feigning distress.“What?” Anthony’s horror deepened. “The same bastards? Is it the Vasconcelos family—”“Help me, Dad! SAVE ME! They’re going to kill me!” Adrian wailed, cutting him off.Anthony’s confusion grew. “I don’t understand... Let me talk to one of them!”Adrian nodded to the assistant, signaling him to take over. The man grabbed the phone and spoke with a hars

The night carried a calmness that belied the day’s chaos.Briana, with her phone pressed to her ear, went on chatting with Luana, the revelations from the other end leaving her visibly shocked.“Luana! That’s horrifying! I had no idea,” Briana exclaimed in disbelief. “Wait, is that why Viviana mentioned he was shirtless?”Meanwhile, in the bedroom of Karl and Luana’s apartment, Luana sat animatedly in a chair, her indignation evident as she relived the events.“He wasn’t just shirtless, Briana,” Luana fumed. “Karl was completely naked. And right now, he still is, lying on our bed.”“Celia must not have given him a moment’s peace,” Briana speculated.Luana considered confessing that she had purposely consumed the tainted coffee to take advantage of Karl as well. Instead, she offered a sly smile, deciding to keep that particular secret to herself.“Well,” Luana said, her tone softening, “the poor guy is resting now. But the more I think about it... Celia was a victim too.”Briana’s tone