Elijah's heart pounded, his breath coming short as he scoured the resort, his gaze darting sharply around each hallway, every garden path, and shadowed corner. The realization that Sophia had gone for her morning walk but hadn’t returned sank in like a heavy weight, each passing minute intensifying his panic. Each missed corner and empty corridor chipped away at his calm, leaving an unfamiliar, raw anxiety clawing at him. He strode up to the front desk, trying to keep his tone level but barely managing it. "Did anyone see my wife this morning?” His voice came out sharper than intended. “Sophia… she’s been gone for hours.”The receptionist blinked, startled, before nodding cautiously. “Let me check with security, sir,” she said, glancing at his strained expression. “A few guests did mention seeing a woman who fits her description early this morning…”She was cut off by a nearby security guard who stepped closer, looking uncertain. “Sir, I remember seeing someone who looked like her. S
Elijah's eyes narrowed as he examined the crumpled note once more, the words taunting him with Sophia’s fate. Doug watched him closely, sensing the cold fury simmering beneath Elijah's calm demeanor."We start here," Elijah said quietly, pointing to the edge of the resort on the map they'd spread across the car hood. "The cliffs… that’s the direction they said she was last seen."Doug nodded, checking his gear. “It’s a narrow trail down to the edge—only one way in or out. If they’re still here, we’ll catch them.”Elijah’s jaw clenched, his gaze hardening. “Then let’s move. I’m not leaving this island without her.”They moved in silence, their senses sharpened, scanning every shadow and faint footprint in the dusty trail. It wasn’t long before they found signs—deep footprints, likely from two people, veering off the main path and into a dense patch of trees.Elijah knelt, inspecting the dirt. “These aren’t hers,” he muttered, examining the boot impressions. “Whoever’s with her, they’re
Elijah paced along the cliffside, his phone gripped tightly in his hand as he replayed every hint and clue, desperate to piece together the mystery of Sophia’s capture. Each passing second heightened his tension.A sudden buzz in his hand made him pause. He glanced down to see an unfamiliar number lighting up his screen. He answered cautiously.“Elijah Norton,” came a voice from his past, rich with a mixture of familiarity and a tone he hadn’t heard in years. “It’s been too long, hasn’t it?”Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Connor,” he replied, disbelief evident in his tone. “Why on earth are you calling me?”A quiet chuckle echoed from the other end. “I think you already know, Elijah. Word travels fast around Evendore, and it’s reached my ears that you’ve misplaced someone important to you.” Connor’s voice softened slightly, but the smugness remained. “I can help you… if you’re willing to listen.”Elijah’s hand clenched around his phone. Connor Aldridge had once been a close confidant, but t
Elijah’s footsteps echoed through the abandoned warehouse, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. His heart was pounding, both from anger and desperation. He had finally tracked down the man responsible for Sophia’s disappearance."Kate Winter, I will deal with you later if you are not here but for now I will crush everything in front of me," Elijah muttered to himself.Doug was stationed outside, keeping a lookout while Elijah confronted the man alone.In the middle of the darkened room, a tall figure stood waiting. His face was partially obscured in shadow, but the sneer on his lips was unmistakable as Elijah approached.“Elijah Norton,” the man greeted mockingly. “The last of the great Norton family, charging into enemy territory yet again. You really don’t learn, do you?”Elijah’s voice was low and dangerous. “Where is she? What did you do to Sophia?”The man chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. “Why so eager to find her? Isn’t this all the grand destiny y
Elijah’s breaths were steady but sharp as he raced through the dense, unfamiliar terrain, following the lead to Sophia’s location. Doug’s voice crackled through his earpiece. “Marshal, you’re getting closer. The hideout is approximately 500 meters to the east,” Doug reported. Elijah tightened his grip on the hilt of his knife. “Keep tracking. If anything changes, alert me immediately,” he replied, his tone clipped and focused. Meanwhile, in the dimly lit hideout, Sophia sat in the corner of a cold, damp room, her wrists bound. She had spent hours carefully loosening the ropes using a jagged piece of metal she’d found. Her captors, distracted and overconfident, hadn’t noticed her subtle efforts. “Think, Sophia,” she whispered to herself, glancing at the small vent near the ceiling. The faint sound of voices filtered through. They were discussing Elijah—waiting for him.Suddenly, one of the captors entered the room, a tall man with a sneer etched across his face. “Still sittin
Elijah sat in his study, the photograph resting on the desk before him. The cryptic note scrawled on the back seemed to mock him with its vague threat. Doug stood nearby, arms crossed, watching Elijah’s furrowed brow as he scrutinized the image. “Marshal,” Doug began cautiously, “this doesn’t feel random. Whoever left that note knows exactly how to get under your skin.” Elijah nodded, his fingers tracing the edge of the photo. It was an old, faded image of his family’s estate before the fire—a place he hadn’t thought about in years. But the writing on the back held his attention. “‘Every spark begins with a betrayal,’” Elijah read aloud, his voice low. His jaw tightened as memories of that night threatened to resurface. “They’re taunting me.” Doug stepped closer, his voice steady. “Do you think this is someone from The Architect’s network? Or… someone connected to your family?” Elijah’s eyes darkened. “It could be both. The Architect’s network thrived on exploiting old wou
Elijah sat at the edge of his desk, the leather-bound journal open in front of him. His fingers traced the faded ink of his father’s words, each entry like a piece of a fragmented puzzle. "The Thompson Accord," the phrase jumped out at him repeatedly, tangled within mentions of alliances, whispers of betrayal, and ominous notes about a spark that would lead to ruin. “What’s the Thompson Accord?” Sophia asked from across the room, her voice soft but curious. Elijah glanced up, his expression grim. “It’s a name my father mentioned several times. It’s tied to the people who betrayed us—but he didn’t leave details. Just hints.” Sophia moved closer, her gaze scanning the journal over his shoulder. “Thompson… Jareth Thompson?” Elijah stiffened at the mention of the elder’s name. “It’s possible. The Thompsons were connected to almost every major family in Evendore back then, including yours. Did your family ever work with them?” Sophia frowned, tapping her chin in thought. “I rem
Elijah sat in his study, the dim light from the desk lamp casting shadows across the room as he read through a file Doug had handed him. Each page revealed fragments of the Thompson Accord—a secret pact that tied the Winters, Donalds, and Nortons in a web of power and betrayal. Sophia stood behind him, her arms crossed. “What exactly was the Accord meant to do?” Elijah sighed, flipping to the next page. “It was supposed to ensure mutual protection and dominance over Evendore’s industries. But somewhere along the line, greed took over. My family became the scapegoat when things started falling apart.” Sophia leaned against the desk, her eyes scanning the notes. “And you think my family had a hand in this?” Elijah’s gaze softened as he looked up at her. “I don’t want to believe that. But the more we uncover, the more it points to the Donalds being involved. At the very least, Ethan and Hague knew more than they let on.” Sophia exhaled deeply, her frustration evident. “It’s not