Sara sat at her desk, her posture composed, her expression calm — almost too calm.
Clara stepped into the office with her usual grace, holding a stack of reports.
"Morning, Sara. I've updated the investor pitch and—"
"Clara," Sara interrupted, her tone light, almost casual. "Last night was strange. Someone seemed to have tampered with my car."
Clara froze — just for a fraction of a second — before tilting her head with practiced concern.
"Oh my God. Are you alright? Should I schedule security to escort you from now on?"
Sara smiled softly. "No need. I already have protection."
Clara's eyes flickered. "Daniel?"
Sara held her gaze. "Among others."
For a moment, silence hung like a wire between them.
Then Sara leaned back, speaking gently.
"You've always been trustworthy, Clara. I hope I can keep believing that."
Clara's fingers tightened around the file she held — barely noticeable.
But Sara noticed.
Meanwhile — Surveillance Room
Leo's screen flashed with lines of decoded metadata.
"I've cracked the routing server," he announced.
Daniel stepped beside him. "Source?"
Leo's fingers flew across the keyboard.
"Clara's personal device connected to an offshore proxy. The last relay server is registered under a front corporation."
He zoomed in on the registration document.
Daniel's eyes narrowed at the name.
Silver Dusk Holdings.
Leo frowned. "Does that name ring a bell?"
Daniel's voice was low.
"It's one of the shell companies used in the corporate raid that nearly bankrupted Sara's father years ago."
Leo stiffened. "You mean…"
Daniel nodded grimly. "This isn't about Sara. It's about revenge on her family legacy. Clara is just one piece of a much bigger enemy."
Back to Sara
Clara left the room, offering a warm smile before closing the door.
Sara kept smiling until she was gone.
Then her smile faded.
She pressed her intercom.
"Daniel. Leo. We're no longer dealing with a leak."
Her eyes hardened.
"We're dealing with a war."