STELLA POV I swiftly rushed to the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest. I gently closed the door behind me, ensuring it was securely shut. I leaned against the door, listening intently for any sign of Kenna's movements.I had hidden my baby in the closet, wrapped snugly in a blanket, hoping she would remain quiet.I heard Kenna's maniacal laughter from outside the room, sending shivers down my spine."Come outside, I know the baby is there with you!" she taunted, her voice dripping with malice.Her footsteps echoed outside the door.She was trying to provoke me.I held my breath.Frozen.My baby stirred.I gently placed my hand over her mouth."Shh, little one," I whispered.Kenna's laughter grew louder.More menacing."Stella you cant hide forever".I trembled.Fear clawed at my heart.What if Kenna found us?What if Bryan was with her?The doorknob creaked.My grip on my baby tightened."Open the door Stella!"Kenna's demand sent panic through me."The baby isn't here with me,"
Judas entered the room, finding Stephen and Matthew locked in a heated discussion. Their raised voices and tense body language indicated a contentious debate, but Judas didn't hesitate. He had a purpose."Stephen, I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome with all these questions," Judas said, approaching him.Stephen's expression darkened, his frustration boiling over. "Honestly, I'm sick of your questions!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table. "Can't you see we're busy? I don't have time for another inquiry. Just leave me alone!"Matthew shot Judas an apologetic glance, sensing the tension.Judas, however, remained composed. "I understand your frustration, Stephen, but I must press on. My questions are crucial.""No, boy, you can't leave that easily," Judas said with a chuckle. "You should know by now that you can't escape unless I permit it."Stephen's eyes flashed with anger."You still have unfinished business here," Judas continued. "Don't you recall your task?"Stephen's v
Matthew stood frozen, still reeling from the astonishing turn of events. His brother's cunning move had left him speechless. As Judas exited the room, Matthew shook off his stupor and trailed after him, eager to unravel the mystery."Judas, what was that for?" Matthew asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.Judas paused in the hallway, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Oh, you mean the question and the whole game I played in there?" He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.Matthew's confusion deepened. "Game? You call that a game? You completely blindsided me!"Judas leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "Sometimes, you need to shake things up, keep people on their toes. Ryan needed a push, and that was the perfect opportunity."Matthew's eyes narrowed. "But what's the endgame, Judas? What are you trying to achieve?"Judas's grin widened. "Patience, brother. All will be revealed in due time."The air was thick with tension as Matthew searched Judas's face for
Smith's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "No, he didn't. I sent him to gather intel on Matthew, but I haven't received any updates."Eric's brow furrowed, concern etched on his face. "I wondered what might have happened to him. He's usually reliable."Smith's jaw clenched, his voice laced with irritation. "Nothing's happened to him. I think he's trying to play smart, possibly hiding something."Eric's eyes widened, alarm creeping in. "What makes you think that?"Smith's gaze turned distant, his mind racing. "The lack of communication, the complete radio silence... it's not like him. Something's off."Eric leaned in, his voice lowering. "Do you think he's been compromised?"Smith's eyes snapped back to Eric, his expression grim. "I don't know, but I intend to find out."Eric stepped forward, his voice filled with conviction. "Boss, Stephen can't betray us. He's been a faithful servant for years, always loyal."Smith settled into his chair, a hint of skepticism on his face. H
Tyler sat relaxed, twirling the pen in his hand as a thoughtful gesture. "I called Judas and asked him about the days Smith usually frequents the club," he revealed, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.Sanya's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that was quick! When did you call him?" she inquired.Tyler chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. "That's why I always say you should be our lead inspector – you're unparalleled at extracting information and outsmarting others," he praised, his laughter filling the room.Sanya smiled warmly. "You're not so bad yourself, Tyler. Your instincts are impressive."Tyler shrugged, his grin lingering. "Just doing what needs to be done. Now, let's review what Judas shared."As he spoke, Tyler pulled out a notebook and flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the scribbled notes."Oh, I see you're after that skill," Sanya replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her voice. "Well, no skill is a waste."She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto
"Alright, Alex, this is the plan," Tyler began, his voice low and urgent. "Sanya, your mission is to keep a close eye on Smith and his crew. Listen in on every conversation, no matter how insignificant it seems. Make sure your decoder remains hidden, and don't get distracted by the music or atmosphere."Sanya nodded, her eyes locked onto Tyler's. "Got it. I'll stay focused."Tyler continued, "And most importantly, avoid taking any drinks from their table or anywhere in the club. We can't trust Smith."Alex chimed in, his expression grim. "We all need to be cautious. Smith's reputation precedes him – ruthless and cunning. He might have compromised the club's staff, drugging drinks to manipulate or gather intel."Sanya's grip on her decoder tightened. "I'll keep my wits about me."Tyler's gaze swept the room. "We're dealing with a master manipulator. Stay vigilant, and we'll uncover Smith's true intentions."The air was thick with tension as the team acknowledged the risks and their rol
"Yes, we cannot let Smith's influence render lives useless," Alex declared, his voice resolute and firm."As Tyler mentioned, there are roots to Smith's empire, and we must identify and uproot them before we can bring him to justice," Sanya emphasized, her eyes scanning the room.Tyler nodded thoughtfully. "However, I believe Smith can be handed over to the law regardless of his connections. Once his associates realize he's been taken into custody, they'll likely retreat to protect their own interests and reputations."The determination in the room was palpable. The team was united in their quest for justice, and Smith's downfall was within reach.Alex leaned forward, his eyes locked on his colleagues. "Let's get to work. We need to map out Smith's network and identify the key players."Sanya nodded, already typing away on her laptop. "I'll start digging into his financial records and known associates."Tyler stood up, his expression resolute. "I'll reach out to our contacts in the fi
Smith's eyes tracked Luna Jasmine's departure, his expression thoughtful as he processed the intensity of the exchange. He swiftly picked up his phone, his fingers moving with practiced ease, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his focused face.He dialed Matthew's number, the ringing tone echoing through the silence, filling the room with anticipation. Matthew didn't answer, leaving Smith's brow furrowed in concern. He redialed, his patience unwavering.This time, Matthew picked up on the first ring. "Matthew, I just need a few words with you," Smith said, his voice low and measured, careful not to betray the urgency brewing inside."Go on," Matthew replied, his tone cautious, guarded."Alpha Xavier's situation is escalating," Smith continued, his words dripping with gravity. "Luna Jasmine has given him an ultimatum. The tension is palpable, and I fear the consequences if left unchecked."Matthew's pause was brief, a moment of strategic silence. "What's the timeline?" he asked,