Brianna strode forward gracefully on her long legs. Each tap of her high heels on the marble floor successfully drew the attention of everyone present in the room.She arrived dressed in a simple yet stunning black dress—its length about two centimeters above her ankles, giving an elegant yet assertive impression to her figure. The off-shoulder dress sleeves fell to cover her elbows, revealing her slender shoulders. She seemed to blend perfectly with her outfit choice, while a small clutch in her hand added extra points to her captivating appearance.Her long hair, left flowing with curls at the ends, made her seem to shine amid the crowd that evening."Look at the daughter of Albert Group," an investor whispered to his colleague. "She looks so radiant, even amid the luxury of this venue. Nothing can catch my attention except that woman.""Right," his friend agreed. "Her appearance is so striking. No one can match her elegance tonight."Whispers about Brianna, the daughter of the cong

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!The doorbell rang incessantly, shattering the silence of the night. Its sound was so impatient, as if its owner had no time to wait even a second.Victor, who had just stepped out of the bathroom with dripping wet hair, hurriedly grabbed a small towel to dry his hair. He walked quickly toward the door, slightly annoyed by the bell that kept ringing without pause.Click!"Why did it take so long?!" Selena snapped as soon as the door opened. Her face was flushed, whether from annoyance or from the cold night wind. "Are your ears broken that you can't hear the bell I've been pressing over and over?"Victor stood in the doorway wearing a casual gray t-shirt that was still slightly damp clinging to his body. His hair was messy, water droplets still running down his temples. "I just took a shower, Selena. It's unusual for you to come without giving notice. I—"Before he could finish speaking, Selena had already strutted in without waiting for permission. She

Dave was still frozen staring at his phone screen. The second threatening message seemed etched in his retinas, refusing to be forgotten."What does he really want from me?" he muttered softly, his voice trembling between anger and confusion. "Nearly identical threats sent again and again."His free hand clenched tightly at his side, so hard his knuckles turned white. He tried to regulate his breathing, calm his racing heartbeat.Anger, annoyance, anxiety, all clashing into a whirlpool of emotions that constricted his chest. Dave didn't understand at all what the intent behind this terror was. What was the purpose? What did this person want?The hospital atmosphere grew quieter. The wall clock showed nearly midnight. Only the hum of medical machines from other rooms and the occasional passing footsteps of nurses could be heard.Dave took a long breath, deep, hoping to ease the turmoil in his chest.One breath. Two breaths. Three,Bzzzz... bzzzz...His phone vibrated.Dave startled. Hi

"Argh..."A soft groan escaped Dave's lips. The morning sunlight piercing through the gap in the thick curtains stabbed his eyes cruelly, forcing him awake from restless sleep.Slowly, Dave opened both eyelids, difficult, as if there were a heavy weight pressing down. His vision was still blurry, his gaze trying to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings.A luxurious room with high ceilings, a crystal chandelier in the center, a long sofa where he lay, and large windows with a view of the city filled with skyscrapers.Where am I?Dave raised one hand with a slow movement, feeling his neck which felt stiff and sore. He rose from the sofa with difficulty, wincing as his body muscles protested, sleeping on the sofa had never been a good idea."It hurts so much," he muttered softly while massaging the nape of his neck with circular movements. "I should have put a pillow under my head."But regret always comes too late.Dave fell silent for a moment, his eyes sweeping the room more carefully.

Dave walked through the hospital corridor with hurried steps. His breath was racing, cold sweat beginning to dampen his temples even though the air-conditioned air was quite cold.His heart was pounding hard, not like usual. Not because of physical exhaustion, but because of the anxiety that dominated all his thoughts.Father...That word kept echoing in his head like a mantra that couldn't be stopped.Dave arrived in front of the elevator, his index finger pressing the button impatiently, over and over, as if that would make the elevator come faster.Ding!The elevator door opened, but it felt very slow, like a slow-motion movement in a film. Dave stepped in quickly, pressing the 5th floor button hard. The elevator door closed, and the metal box began to move up.Dave stood alone inside the elevator, staring at his reflection in the wall mirror. His face was pale, eyes slightly swollen from lack of sleep, hair messy, shirt wrinkled.But what stood out most, the deep furrow on his for