Anastacia’s piercing scream shattered the room’s air, sending everyone’s gaze darting toward her. She clutched a mirror, her fingers trembling as her wide, panicked eyes locked onto her reflection. Her breathing quickened. Her lips quivered, words struggling to form as horror filled her face. Her face, moments ago smooth and radiant, now displayed dark blotches that sprawled across her skin. The spots that the glow bloom pill had supposedly erased had not only returned but multiplied, blooming in clusters. Her complexion paled under the heavy makeup, unable to mask the sudden discoloration. “What’s happening to my face?!” Anastacia’s voice cracked, panic spiraling in her tone. She rubbed her cheeks frantically as if she could scrub the blemishes away. “Why—why is this happening?” Gasps echoed around the dining room. “Oh my God!” someone shrieked. “Her face—it’s turning purple!” “How is this possible? Wasn’t she glowing just minutes ago?” another whispered, unable to

Dr. Frederick’s voice was low, but every word was firm and purposeful. “The Pretam Bloom is far more potent than Glow Bloom,” he said, lifting the small jar of golden liquid gently like it held life itself. “Glow Bloom is a weak imitation. A patchwork version crafted by doctors who didn’t have access to the real thing.” Andrew said nothing, the information wasn't new to him. Dr. Frederick continued, his eyes scanning the stunned faces around him. “Pretam Bloom… is not made. It’s found. And only in a single place on earth. It takes nature twenty years to form one bloom.” Gasps filled the room. The name wasn’t unfamiliar. Every person here, no matter their status, had heard of Pretam Bloom at some point. Whispers in high-end clinics. Rumors passed like secrets among the elite. But no one had ever seen it. “You mean this is…?” one of the guards started, but his words trailed off. He couldn’t even finish the thought. Dr. Frederick nodded. “Yes. Before it’s formed into pills or mixed

Andrew’s hand slipped into his pocket as he stepped away, his steps measured, his face unreadable. He placed the phone against his ear and spoke low, “Benita?” “I’m at your place,” her voice said quickly. “I knocked for a while. No one’s home.” He stilled. His eyes narrowed slightly, though his tone remained even. “There’s no one? Are you sure?” “I checked. I even walked around a bit. I thought maybe she stepped out, but I waited and… nothing.” Andrew’s jaw tightened. That wasn’t right. That girl was supposed to be there. He had told her to wait for Benita. Had something happened? No, it didn’t make sense. No one could trace her to his place. He was careful. Very careful. Maybe she had stepped out. Maybe she went to get something from the store. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to wander. Right? “Alright,” he said after a pause. “Wait a little more. She should show up soon. If she does, leave for Nashville immediately. Stay with her for the meantime. I’ll explain everything when I g

He smiled coolly, certain he had seen the evidence he needed. There was no beating around the bush. “Mr. Baron, it seems these men are no strangers to you,” the officer said with a sinister smirk. Andrew’s gaze didn’t waver. His face was calm. His voice was even calmer. “I recognize them,” he said plainly. The officer nodded like he expected that answer. "Mr. Baron, these men came to report last night that their sister was missing. A man beat them up and abducted their sister, and that man happens to be you. True or false?" Andrew lifted his head ,his eyes locking on the two men across from him. His jaw tightened. Sister? That caught him off guard. He didn’t see that coming. He knew the sister story was a joke — a fabricated lie to gain sympathy. If this officer was fair, clearing his name up wouldn’t be hard. But Andrew knew —he wasn’t stupid. The way the officers' cold gaze pierced through him, full of quiet judgment and condemnation . It was clear. He had taken sides

Show me then.” he said indifferently ,leaning back in his chair, face calm, eyes steady. “This is the evidence of what happened last night,” The officer said and dug out a USB from his breast pocket. "This is the evidence of what happened last night," he said, plugging it into the laptop. The screen flickered, then lit up. The video was dark. No sound. Just shadows moving against a barely visible background. Two large men confronted a man of average build. Then chaos. Fists swung. Feet kicked. Palms slapped. But it wasn’t the burly men delivering the beatings. No—it was the other man, half their size. His blows landed fast, sharp. The larger men stumbled, crumpled to the floor. He didn’t break a sweat. When the fight ended, the smaller man stood unscathed. Calm. He reached for a young blonde girl’s and they got into the car Seconds later, they sped off in his car. “That’s it!” One of the men barked, his face stretched with a victorious grin. “There is no way he’ll be