Cora stared for a few long seconds, her mind racing. Her voice came out low and sharp. "This is how people try to play smart under my nose. But I'm not going to let that happen. Not again. Not ever."
Malisa took a slow breath before speaking again. "That's why I said you need to act fast. But before you do anything rash, there's something else. I just got a piece of news concerning James…"
Cora's eyes narrowed. "What about James?"
Malisa leaned forward a little and lowered her voice.
"It just broke out not long ago. Something big."
At that moment, Cora gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Her voice came out low but sharp, "What news is that, Malisa? What news actually broke not long ago?" There was tension in her voice not fear, but a stern demand for clarity. Whatever it was, she needed to know, and fast.
Malisa didn't rush. She leaned forward, her voice calm but grave, like someone about to deliver a truth that might shake the room.
