Chapter 75

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Erica, Julian, and Lila crouched behind a stack of crates, the salty scent of the sea mixing with the adrenaline pulsing through their veins. They could hear the low murmur of voices from the gathering, punctuated by the occasional clink of glass and the shuffle of feet on the gravel.

Erica focused her attention on the group, her heart racing as she strained to catch every word. Julian was silently adjusting the camera, ensuring they captured everything. Lila’s wide eyes flicked between the figures, her breath shallow with anticipation.

“...we need to be ready for any surprises,” her grandfather’s voice boomed, cutting through the murmur. “Erica’s been digging too deep. If she gets wind of our plans, it could all unravel.”

A shiver ran down Erica’s spine. She had suspected that her grandfather was involved in the company’s darker dealings, but hearing him speak so openly about her felt like a betrayal of monumental proportions.

“We can’t let he