Ava sat on the cold floor of the small dirty room. Her hands were shaking, but she tried to hide it. Her leg still hurt from the gunshot, but she didn’t cry. She had cried enough. Now she was tired.Two kidnappers were outside the door talking softly. She couldn’t hear everything, but she heard her name many times. She hugged herself and looked around for something she could use to defend herself, but the room was empty.After a few minutes, the door opened.One of the kidnappers came in. He was a tall man with a dirty face and a long scar on his cheek. He closed the door behind him and leaned on it, looking at Ava from head to toe.Ava looked away.He smiled a slow, dirty smile. “You quiet now,” he said. “You no shout again.”Ava didn’t answer.He walked closer and crouched in front of her. “You pretty girl,” he said. “Too pretty to be fighting.”Ava pressed her back against the wall. “Go away.”The man laughed. “Why? You no like me? I can make you comfortable. I can make this pl

The loud argument between Ryan and Eric had finally stopped after the police officers separated them. But the house was still filled with tension and confusion. Clara sat on the couch with tears in her eyes. She kept thinking about Ava, about the fight, and about the strange truth that was finally coming out about both families.Ryan stood by the window, breathing deeply. His cheek still burned from where Eric had thrown a punch before the officers pulled them apart. The fight had been stupid—so stupid—but it showed how broken everything had become.Mrs. Harrison sat weakly on a chair. She looked tired, older than she really was. Her hands trembled a little, but she was trying to act calm.The officers were still in the living room, taking notes and asking questions, but the big truth was no longer hidden.It wasn’t only Ryan Knight who had lost everything. It wasn’t only his father’s company that had been taken. Clara’s family had also been destroyed by the same unknown pers

The city lights blurred as Ryan drove the car fast. Clara sat beside him, holding tightly to the seatbelt, her eyes wide and worried. His uncle was in the back, arms crossed, quiet. Rocas sat next to him, eyes on the road behind them, alert. Ryan’s hands were tight on the wheel. His jaw clenched. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He kept checking the rearview mirror. The streets looked empty, but he didn’t trust it. Clara broke the silence. “Ryan… Ava… she’s not in the warehouse.” Ryan didn’t answer immediately. His eyes stayed on the road, but his mind raced. He swallowed hard. “I know… I noticed it when we left. She wasn’t there.” Rocas leaned forward. “Boss, what do we do now? If she’s gone, we can’t just wait. She could be anywhere.” Ryan shook his head. “We have to think first. Panic won’t help. We need a plan. Who took her? Where would they go?” His uncle, still in the back, finally spoke. “The people who took her… they want leverage. They know you

Ryan’s heart pounded. Ava’s body trembled in his arms. Blood? He looked quickly. Her lips were pale, her skin cold. “Stay with me, Ava… stay with me!” Ryan shouted. His voice was rough. Clara leaned forward from the seat. “Ryan… don’t let them take her! Don’t!” The shadows around the car moved closer. The tall man in front stepped forward slowly, gun in hand. His face was hidden in the dark, but Ryan recognized the cold power in his stance. Ryan’s uncle whispered, “We can’t hold them here. Too many. We need a way out.” Rocas’s hands shook as he checked the back. “Boss… they’re all around us. Two more cars just blocked the sides. We can’t move.” Ryan’s mind raced. He looked at Ava, then at Clara. “Clara… keep calm. Don’t scream. Stay behind me.” Clara nodded, tears running down her cheeks. “I… I can’t… I’m scared.” Ryan grabbed a small taser from his bag. “I’ll distract them. Uncle… Rocas… protect the girls if I fall.” Ryan stepped out of the car slowly. The shad

Ryan froze in the middle of the road. Ava lay weak in his arms. Her lips were pale. Blood had soaked through his shirt. Clara was behind him, crying softly, holding Ava’s hand. His uncle and Rocas were beside him, tense and ready. The black car’s doors opened slowly. Ryan’s heart sank. A figure stepped out. It was Eric. Clara’s cousin. “Eric…” Clara whispered, eyes wide. “What… what are you doing here?” Eric smiled, slow and calm. “I came to help.” His voice sounded friendly but his eyes were cold, calculating. Ryan’s jaw tightened. “Help? You? After everything? You disappeared. People were looking for you. You caused chaos.” Eric shrugged. “I know. But now… I’m here to help. I can get her to the hospital safely.” Clara frowned. “Why should we trust you? You always lie. You always cheat. You bring trouble.” Eric laughed lightly. “Sometimes… the right time comes to fix things. I know how much danger she is in. I can help. Let me drive.” Ryan shook his head. “No. I’m