Margret walked slowly but with authority into Elena’s room. The sound of her heels echoed against the polished floor, each step deliberate, each step announcing her presence before she even spoke. Elena sat on the bed, her eyes lowered, while Patricia, her mother, sat close beside her, holding her hand as though she could protect her from the storm about to come.The moment Margret entered, her sharp eyes swept the room. They landed first on Elena, then on Patricia. She gave a short, humorless laugh.“I thought as much,” Margret said, her voice cold and commanding. “I knew I would find you here.”Patricia’s grip on her daughter’s hand tightened, but she did not speak. Margret, tall and elegant in her expensive gown, moved toward them with slow steps. In her hand was a file, thick and heavy, and she carried it as if it held the weight of fate itself.When she reached them, she dropped the file on the small table before Elena. The papers inside slid slightly, revealing the bold print of

“Tell her to stay away from my husband!” a woman’s voice rang through the sitting room.Everyone turned to see a tall woman standing at the door, her face twisted with rage. Her voice was sharp, filled with jealousy and pain. She pointed her finger straight ahead, her eyes darting around the room as though she was searching for the enemy.Patricia stood up immediately, her eyes wide in disbelief. “You can’t just walk into my house and start throwing insults at anyone. Did you meet your husband here?” she snapped back, her voice firm and full of authority.The woman’s cheeks burned red with anger. “Oh wow, so that’s what this is? You can’t even control your own daughter, and now she is sneaking around with married men!”Patricia’s fists clenched by her side. “Watch your tongue, woman, before I have you arrested for slander.”The tension in the room grew thick. The maids froze at the corners, watching silently, afraid to interfere. Just then, Margret entered the room. She had heard the

Florida walked quickly down the stairs into her office, her heels clicking hard against the marble floor. She didn’t greet anyone or look around. Her mind was full, and her face looked serious. She pushed open the glass door, went straight to her desk, and dropped her bag.With a deep sigh, she sat down on her chair, rubbing her forehead. She had barely settled when her phone started ringing. The sharp sound cut through the silence of the office. She looked at the screen—an unknown number.She frowned but picked it up anyway. “Who am I speaking to?” she asked, her tone firm.A man laughed softly from the other end, the kind of laugh that sent a cold chill down her spine. “You don’t need to know who I am,” the voice said. “Just open your Gmail.”Florida’s heart skipped. “Excuse me?” she asked.“Open your Gmail,” the voice repeated, calm but commanding.Something in the man’s tone made her obey. With shaky fingers, she unlocked her phone, opened her Gmail app, and refreshed it.A new me

Florida sat on the cold cement floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her daughter. The room was dim, lit only by a small bulb that flickered above them. The air smelled of dampness and fear. Her daughter, barely twelve, leaned against her shoulder, trembling silently.“Mom, I’m scared,” the Emma whispered.“I know, baby,” Florida said softly, brushing her daughter’s hair away from her face. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”The sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Heavy, slow, and deliberate. Florida froze. Her daughter’s small fingers gripped her arm tightly.Then the door creaked open.Two men stepped inside. Both were tall, wearing dark clothes. One of them, a bald man with a scar running down his cheek, smirked when he saw them. The other, younger and slimmer, carried a phone in his hand.Florida quickly pulled her daughter closer and shifted back until her back hit the wall. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.“I didn’t know what’s taking you so long to send the m

The police officer walked slowly into the old building. Karvel and Morrison followed behind him, moving carefully. The floorboards creaked. Dust hung in the air. Every sound felt too loud.They paused at the doorway. The officer looked around with steady eyes. “Stay close and quiet,” he said. “Move only when I tell you.”Karvel nodded. He put a hand on Morrison’s shoulder for a moment, then let go. Morrison’s hands were tight at his sides. His face was pale but set. He kept his eyes on the dark hall ahead.The team spread out in a silent line. Two officers went left, two went right. Karvel, Morrison, and the lead officer moved straight down the main corridor. They checked each doorway as they passed. The officer signaled with his free hand. Sharp gestures, short and clear.They entered the first room. It was empty except for an old couch and a broken lamp. The lamp had one bare bulb that flickered weakly. An officer moved in to search while another covered the doorway. No one was insi