THE BREAK-IN Laura didn’t go to her room immediately, she headed straight to the study and closed the door behind her.Immediately, the desk became her workspace as she laid out everything she needed.Her fingers moved across the tablet screen, double-checking everything. Tommy’s hidden transactions, the forged authorizations, the connections to the dead executives and lastly, Dave’s case.Her chest tightened slightly at that, but she didn’t stop. She compiled everything into one clean, undeniable record.“This ends tonight,” she whispered softly to herself.Then she moved to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, her usual clothes were pushed aside, but what she pulled out instead was different.All black, simple and tight enough to move in. She changed quickly as she tied her hair back neatly and checked her reflection.Then, she picked up a small pouch and in it had different tools, access cards, a slim flashl

THE WEDDING GAMBITA Week Later….It was the wedding day and Manuel and Laura were on their way there. They had everything planned and ready for execution.“Don’t stay so far from me when we get there,” Manuel said quietly as the car slowed to a stop.His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it, but it wasn't something he could explain. Laura turned her head slightly and looked at him, with a hint of smile on her face. “I always do,” she replied.The car came to a smooth halt in front of the grand entrance and for a brief moment, they stayed back in the car, trying to observe the environment. The securities were on point and the grand entrance had this glamour that could make you stop in your tracks.Laura chuckled, Tommy knew how to knot his tie.Then the door opened and Laura stepped out first. The moment her heels touched the ground, she lifted her gaze and paused.The entire venu

THE SWITCH Laura saw of the security men grooving the music all by himself, he wasn't too far from Tommy and the board and she saw it as an opportunity to get closer.She went over to him and offered herself for a dance.“Dance with me,” Laura said softly, her voice light, as she stepped into his path.He stopped immediately, caught off guard and for a second, he didn’t respond. His eyes moved quickly, scanning her face, then the room, like he was trying to understand if this was a mistake.“I’m on duty,” he said, his tone firm as he stared straight at her.Laura smiled. “I know,” she replied gently, tilting her head. “That’s why you look so serious.”The man hesitated. Around them, the music had changed. The soft string melody had faded into something slower and couples were already stepping into the open space, moving in rhythm.The room was shifting and this was her moment.Laura took a step closer.

THE FIRST ACCUSATIONThe announcer continued to read, each revelation peeling away the carefully constructed image Tommy had built over decades. Everything Tommy had believed about tonight being his victory, the exposure of his enemies was crumbling before his eyes.“Someone…” Tommy whispered to himself, almost as if he didn’t dare finish the sentence. His eyes went wildly around, searching for someone to blame, to stop this, but there was no one to catch. The trap had been perfectly set.And in the crowd, Manuel’s gaze stayed on him, seeing the way he shook made him smile. Laura’s lips curved into a subtle smile as well, nodding slightly.“What's going on?” he muttered again, louder this time. “This shouldn't be about me!!”Tommy didn’t sit, and he didn’t even try to pretend that everything was fine. The moment the words in the room started turning against him, something inside him cracked.His hand tightened