As she directed panicked staff to secure exits and shield civilians, Lila noticed a young technician standing off to the side. His eyes were wide, anxious, but there was a glimmer of trust. He subtly signaled her, guiding her toward a safer path through the chaos.
"You're… doing fine," he murmured, almost to himself, but enough for her to hear. Relief washed over her. Not all the people around Liora were spies, rivals, or critics—some were allies, even if their trust was hard-earned.
Yet danger lurked everywhere. Shadows moved in ways that seemed deliberate, suspicious. Lila realized quickly that the glamorous life she had longed for was a battlefield. Fame was intoxicating, but it attracted enemies who would exploit any weakness. Every step, every decision mattered. And for the first time, she understood that admiration came with a price: vigilance.