CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO

{ JONAS'S PLAN }

Flora sighed, her eyes narrowing as she weighed Emily's words. "Okay, Emily. I'll talk to Fred. But understand this—if he says no, there's nothing more I can do. Your actions will speak louder than your words."

Emily nodded fervently, wiping the last of her tears. "Thank you, Flora. I won't let you down, I promise."

They parted ways, and Emily felt a flicker of hope. But she knew she had a long road ahead of her. She returned to Alex and Jonas, who were waiting for her back at the mansion.

"Did she buy it?" Jonas asked, leaning forward.

Emily nodded. "Flora said she'd talk to Fred. But we need to be careful. She's suspicious."

Alex smirked. "Suspicion won't matter once we have control of the system. We just need to keep them off balance until then."

Emily didn't respond. Her mind was racing with the possibilities and the dangers that lay ahead. She knew she had to tread carefully if she wanted to succeed with the plan. The plan was simple. They need to know if I stil