Sophia sat at the dining table, savoring the rich flavors of the meal. She laughed while chatting with the former female mayor of Etherium City, Mrs. Anderson, and a few close friends. “Wow, this roast is delicious,” Mrs. Anderson said, taking a bite. “You must share the recipe with me, Sophia.” “I’d be happy to,” Sophia replied, smiling. “It’s one of my favorites.” Laughter and conversation filled the room as they enjoyed their meal. The TV in the corner was tuned to a news channel, but it played softly in the background, barely noticed. Suddenly, the tone of the newscaster’s voice changed. “We have breaking news coming in. Reports and eyewitnesses are confirming the tragic incident that the son of the owner of Veritas Conglomerates, Leander Goldstein, has been shot dead at the train station. His body was taken by unknown gunmen before security could intervene.” Sophia’s fork froze mid-air. Her eyes widened in shock as she heard the news. The room seemed to spin around her. “No…
After about thirty minutes, Mrs. Anderson and her convoy arrived at the hospital where Sophia, Leander's mother, had been admitted. The atmosphere was tense as the vehicles rolled to a stop in the parking lot. Mrs. Anderson, ever composed despite the frustration inside her, stepped out of her Range Rover, adjusting her dress with a swift motion before striding purposefully towards the hospital entrance. As she entered the reception area, her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. In the air, the scent of antiseptic mingled with whispered conversations and the steady beeping of medical devices. Mrs. Anderson’s heart tightened with worry as she approached the front desk. A nurse noticed her presence and quickly stepped forward. “How may I assist you, ma’am?” the nurse asked, her tone respectful, recognizing the former mayor immediately. “Sophia Goldstein,” Mrs. Anderson said briskly. “She was brought in not long ago. I need to know her condition.” The nurse nodded, quickly checking
The news of Leander's death shattered Brianna. She had been weeping bitterly since she heard the tragic news. She couldn’t believe the story that Leander had been shot while trying to save Camila. On the edge of her bed, she felt a mixture of grief and anger. She couldn’t help but think about their time together on campus—their outings, the fun they had, and even the day they argued about Leander wanting to buy Ethereum University. But what truly broke her was the memory of their last meeting—the day Leander kissed her for the first time. The tears she had been holding back finally overwhelmed her. Just then, a knock interrupted her thoughts. Startled, Brianna looked up, tears still in her eyes. “Who’s there?” “It’s Ava,” came the reply. Before Brianna could respond, the door slowly creaked open, and Ava appeared in the doorway. “Brianna, what's wrong?” Ava, concerned, asked as she noticed the tears streaming down Brianna’s face. “I need to know that you're okay.” Briann
Lindsey’s breath echoed through the phone, a mix of confusion and unease. “Who are you talking about?” “Don’t tell me you don’t know Camila Jennings. She’s an actress,” Brianna said, trying to coax her into remembering. “Oh, right... I remember her now. But she isn’t here. Why are you asking?” Lindsey’s confusion deepened, her tone demanding more answers. Curiosity and fear laced Lindsey’s voice as she added, “Is she the one who killed Leander?” Brianna clenched her fist, struggling to contain her emotions. “Eyewitnesses reported that Camila Jennings was at the scene. One said Leander was trying to save her from the assailant. But he disappointed me. I thought he was smart enough not to make such a decision—it sounds foolish. If he hadn’t tried to save that bitch, he wouldn’t be dead, and his body wouldn’t have been taken away.” As Brianna spoke, her anger boiled over, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and sorrow. She couldn’t shake the image of Leander’s final moments
“Dangerous?” Ethan repeated. “Did she murder Leander Goldstein herself?” Ethan squared his shoulders and said, “I don’t care what the FBI says. Camila isn’t running. Not from this.” Bradley, sensing the rising tension, tried to diffuse the situation. “We’re not here to fight, Ethan. We’re here to help. But you need to understand, this is bigger than us.” Camila looked between the two men, her resolve wavering as she realized the gravity of the situation. “Ethan, maybe they’re right,” she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. But Ethan remained adamant. “I said no, Camila. We face this together, here. I’m not letting anyone scare us into hiding.” Rex sighed, knowing they were at an impasse. “Just think about it,” he urged Camila, his tone more urgent. “We don’t want to see you get hurt.” “Think about what?” Brayden turned at Rex. “There is no time to waste, Rex.” Camila’s eyes darted to the floor, her heart racing as a whirlwind of thoughts consumed her. The idea of fl
Ethan watched Rex closely, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “I was only kidding,” he said, waving off his earlier refusal. “Go ahead, dude.” Rex's relief was evident. He pulled Camila into a brief but tight hug, feeling the tension in her body as he whispered, “Stay safe, okay?” Camila nodded, her thoughts swirling. She didn’t quite trust Rex, but at this moment, she needed to play along. Brayden stepped forward, giving Ethan a friendly pat on the back and shaking Camila’s hand with a reassuring nod. “You’re making the right choice, Camila. We’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.” The two men exited the suite, the door clicking shut behind them. Camila’s gaze followed them as they left, her mind racing with doubts. Ethan noticed her unease and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re thinking about Rex, aren’t you?” “He’s up to something,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing. “I just don’t know what.” Ethan’s finger grazed Camila's lips. “Any idea of what he is up to?” “
They rushed out of the suite, the tension in the air thickening with each passing second. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, they sprinted towards the direction of the echoing elevator doors. The SWAT team stepped out of the elevator, their weapons ready. The team leader cast a quick glance around, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the empty hallway. “Check the room.” One of the operatives kicked open the door to the presidential suite, his rifle raised. “Clear!” he shouted after a quick sweep of the room. “Where the hell is she?” The team leader growled, frustration seeping into his tone. “She must have received the intelligence about our presence,” one of the operatives suggested. “Roof access,” one of the operatives suggested, pointing towards the emergency stairwell. As they rushed up the stairs, Camila and Ethan struggled to catch their breath. The sound of footsteps echoed below them, growing louder as the SWAT team began their pursuit. Ethan’s grip tightened on
Ethan turned to Camila, his face pale with concern. “Camila, I need to tell you the truth, and you need to believe me.” His heart raced faster than before, and after a brief pause to catch his breath, he continued, “Don’t let anyone deceive you. The FBI will eventually catch you. Running only makes you look guilty. You should just submit to them and explain everything…” Camila cut him off, her voice sharp, “Ethan, submitting to the FBI also makes me look guilty. Why should I have to explain myself in this situation? If I do, they’ll think I’m trying to hide something.” Ethan’s voice tensed, “But let them arrest you peacefully.” “Why follow Rex’s advice?” he shot back. Camila’s expression hardened as she met his gaze. “Ethan, Rex was right. He knew they were coming for me. He even arranged with the receptionist to warn me.” Ethan heaved a frustrated sigh, his hand slapping against his forehead. “I don’t care about that. Camila, you have to listen to me.” Her eyes drifted away from