Alex and Leah ran to the car.The mansion's front gate was closed. Alex didn't slow down. He crashed through it. Wood splintered. Metal bent. Alarms screamed."How did they find out?" Leah asked. She looked behind them. No cars following yet. But they would be soon."I don't know," Alex said. He drove fast. Taking random turns. Making it hard to track them. "But it doesn't matter now. We go to Plan B."Plan B was a safe house across the city. A small apartment. Secure. Already stocked with supplies.Alex's phone rang. Sarah."Talk to me," Alex answered."Covenant hit three of our safe houses," Sarah reported. Her voice was tight. Scared. "They're hunting alliance members. We need to release everything now.""Do it," Alex ordered. "Release it all. Right now.""Are you sure? We're not fully ready—""Do it," Alex repeated. "We're out of time. It's now or never."He hung up and looked at Leah. "It's happening."She nodded. Scared but determined. "Then let's finish this."Within an hour

Robert Wilson woke up three days later.Alex was there. He'd been splitting time between Leah's room and his father's. Barely sleeping. Barely eating.Robert's eyes opened slowly. Confused. Lost."Alex?" His voice was barely a whisper."I'm here," Alex said. He leaned forward."Don't try to talk. Save your strength.""No," Robert said. He gripped Alex's hand weakly. "Need to... tell you. Important.""Dad, please. Rest.""Catherine," Robert gasped. "She poisoned me. Knew I helped you. This was revenge.""We know," Alex said. "The police found evidence. They're hunting her now."Robert shook his head slightly. "Not just... revenge. She has bigger plans. Always did.""What plans?""Didn't just want... empire for money," Robert said. Each word was a struggle. "Wanted it because... she's my sister. Your aunt."Alex froze. "What?""Catherine Blackwood... is your aunt," Robert repeated. "My sister. Your mother's... sister-in-law."The words didn't make sense at first. Then they did. And Alex