Ethan Sullivan's lips curved slightly, but his eyes remained icy cold. "Twenty-four years ago, when Evelyn Grandelle's child went missing, you and your brother fled the capital overnight, even changing your surnames. You became Ann Branch, and your brother Peter Branch. Did you really think a name change would keep you safe?"

The woman's face drained of color.

Her fingers clenched the hem of her shirt, her voice trembling. "What do you want from me?"

Ethan looked down at her with cold authority. "You're coming back to the capital with us."

"I didn't hurt anyone!" Nicole "Zhi" Evans suddenly lashed out, her nails digging into her palms.

Sophia Laurent stepped forward, softening her tone. "Auntie, we just want the truth. You'll be safe with us, and we’ll make sure you’re compensated."

Nicole's breathing grew ragged.

She clutched her head suddenly. "I don’t remember anything... I had a head injury..."

Ethan scoffed and signaled the bodyguards. "Take her."

Nicole whirled around and bolted for the bedroom!

The door slammed shut behind her.

As the bodyguards moved to break it down, Sophia stopped them. She pulled out a lockpick from her bag but hesitated.

"Auntie, I’m counting to three."

Inside the bedroom, Nicole fumbled for her phone with shaking hands.

A text flashed on the screen: Your daughter is at First Experimental Primary School. Keep quiet if you want her alive.

Her pupils constricted in terror.

Tears streamed down her face as she stared at the message.

Outside, Sophia reached three and deftly turned the lock.

Nicole shoved the phone away and screamed hysterically, "Get out! All of you—get out!"

Sophia studied her bloodshot eyes. "Someone’s threatening you?"

Ethan was already dialing his phone. "Send men to protect her family."

The bodyguards hauled Nicole toward the door.

She thrashed wildly, her voice hoarse. "Let me go... I swear I don’t know anything..."

In the car, no matter how gently Sophia questioned her, Nicole kept her eyes tightly shut.

Halfway through the drive, she suddenly went pale. "I need to use the bathroom!"

Behind the roadside bushes, a pungent odor hit them the moment Nicole squatted down.

Iris Evans pinched her nose and recoiled. "That smell could be classified as a chemical weapon!"

In the brief moment everyone stepped back—

Splash!

Nicole plunged into the raging river!

Five bodyguards dove in after her.

Amid the churning water, Kyle Grant moved to shrug off his jacket, but Sophia grabbed his arm. "It's too dangerous!"

Thirty minutes later, the bodyguards emerged, dripping wet. "She’s gone..."

Sophia stared at the turbulent currents, her fingers turning cold.

Ethan squeezed her hand. "Don’t worry. She’s a strong swimmer."

His gaze darkened as he looked into the distance. "We still have her brother. We’ll get answers soon."

A gust of wind carried the river’s damp chill, and Sophia shivered.

This deadly game had only just begun.