Viviana entered the Red Light nightclub as dusk settled, her demeanor a mix of anxiety and wariness.After everything that had transpired, the last thing she wanted was to be recognized.The pulse of electronic music reverberated through the room as the current dancers rehearsed their routines half-heartedly, aware that their audience wouldn’t be focused on their choreography.The retro Eurodance beat betrayed Anthony’s age as he inspected glasses and bottles, swaying subtly to the rhythm emanating from the speakers.Sliding onto a barstool, Viviana scanned her surroundings, her gaze darting left and right.Anthony turned to her with a broad grin, a man satisfied with her work.“You’re almost dancing,” Viviana remarked.“Men don’t dance,” Anthony replied, brushing it off. “But this music was a hit back in the day.”“Before I was born, I guess... Anyway, it’s time for me to disappear.”Anthony mirrored her cautious glances around the room.The waitresses were preoccupied setting up tab

The dim, eerie warehouse was filled with the oppressive silence of emptiness. Briana sat alone, her eyes swollen and burning from hours of crying.Freed from her gag, she had tried screaming, but as the hooded man had warned her, it was useless.“HELP! For Christ’s sake, you can’t leave me here alone!” Briana’s voice echoed hauntingly through the cavernous space, amplifying the void around her.She panted, scanning the shadows for any sign of life.“What happened... where is everyone... Mark, where are you?”Suddenly, the faint sound of elegant footsteps broke the silence.Briana froze, holding her breath as she tried to locate the source.Something about the measured rhythm of the steps sent a shiver through her.“Such refined steps,” she thought. “Those shoes must cost a fortune... maybe the ‘boss’ of these kidnappers is finally showing up. I’ll finally know who hired that snake, Viviana...”Drawing a deep breath, Briana mustered a scornful smile. As Mark Ferro’s wife, she refused t

Mark allowed himself a faint smile, sensing that Adrian might be right. Anthony Curtis seemed exactly the type to throw his own son under the bus if it suited his purposes.Pausing for a moment, Mark mulled over their next steps. Adrian remained on the cot, his posture tense and his face clouded with frustration.“For now,” Mark said finally, “you’re going to have to play the role of the desperate son who needs Daddy to come to his rescue. Afterward, you can deal with him however you see fit.”Adrian leaned forward, his voice rising with conviction. “I’ll throw him out of the apartment, that’s for sure! I want nothing to do with someone who facilitates crimes. Why did he do it?”He shook his head as though trying to dislodge the thought. “It’s like I don’t even know who he really is.”For a fleeting moment, Mark felt a pang of genuine pity for Adrian. He recognized the anguish of a man grappling with the betrayal of someone he should have been able to trust.“Adrian,” Mark said, his t