Chapter 32

Chapter 32 – The Watching Eyes

Ariana paced back and forth in the living room, her heart pounding. The air around her felt heavier, pressing down on her chest. The photos she had just received lay scattered on the table—proof that Daniel, or someone working for him, was still watching her every move.

Richard stood near the window, his sharp gaze scanning the outside as if searching for any sign of danger. Meanwhile, Nathan was on the phone, his expression darkening as the conversation continued.

"What did you find?" Richard asked as soon as Nathan ended the call.

Nathan let out a deep sigh. "Daniel doesn’t have direct access to send these threats. But someone has been visiting him regularly in prison."

Ariana felt a chill creep up her spine. "Who?"

Nathan handed her a photo. "This person."

Ariana’s stomach twisted the moment she saw it. Clara. Her former best friend. The woman Daniel had cheated on her with.

"This can’t be…" she whispered.

Samantha, who had been quietly standing in the corner, spoke up. "Clara has been visiting Daniel almost every week. She could be the link between him and the outside world."

Richard clenched his fists. "Then we need to find out what they’re planning before something worse happens."

Ariana shook her head. "I can’t just sit back and wait for them to make the first move."

Richard’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Ariana straightened, her gaze filled with determination. "I’m going to meet Clara."

---

A Dangerous Confrontation

Hours later, Ariana sat in a small café in the city center, waiting for Clara to arrive. Her hands were balled into fists on the table as she struggled to keep her anger in check.

Before long, Clara appeared, walking in with her usual arrogance. She wore a tight black dress, her hair perfectly styled, as if she had nothing to feel guilty about.

Clara took a seat across from Ariana, crossing her arms. "I’m surprised you wanted to meet me, Ariana."

Ariana’s stare was ice-cold. "Drop the act, Clara. I know you’re still in contact with Daniel."

Clara raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Oh? And why should I care about baseless accusations?"

Ariana reached into her bag and tossed the photos Daniel had sent onto the table. Clara’s eyes widened for a split second before a sly smirk curved her lips.

"So, you finally realized it," Clara said mockingly.

Ariana leaned forward, her voice sharp. "What are you two planning? Daniel should be rotting in prison, yet he’s still threatening me."

Clara’s smirk deepened. "Oh, Ariana… you’re still so naive. Do you really think Daniel would let you live happily after everything that happened?"

Ariana’s pulse quickened, but she refused to show any fear. "Tell him I won’t back down. Whatever you’re planning, I’ll destroy it before it even starts."

Clara chuckled. "I’d love to see you try."

Before Ariana could respond, Clara’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then smirked again.

"It looks like my time here is up. We’ll see each other again soon, Ariana. But next time, I won’t be alone."

With that, Clara stood up and walked away, leaving Ariana with more questions and an unsettling sense of dread.

---

Danger Closing In

Ariana returned home feeling uneasy. She immediately went to find Richard and Nathan, who were waiting for her in the study.

"Clara didn’t deny it," Ariana said, frustration lacing her voice. "She knows something, but she refuses to say what."

Nathan drummed his fingers against the table. "That means Daniel still has a backup plan."

Richard crossed his arms. "We need to make sure they don’t get the chance to execute it."

Samantha, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "We have to be more cautious. If Clara has started threatening you directly, it means they’re getting bolder."

Ariana felt a tightness in her chest.

And then—her phone vibrated.

Her hands trembled as she looked at the screen.

"Unknown Number."

Hesitating for a second, she answered.

"Ariana…"

She froze. That voice.

Daniel.

"Don’t think you’ve won. This is just the beginning."

Before she could respond, the call disconnected.

Her face went pale as she looked up at Richard and Nathan. "He just called me."

Silence filled the room, thick with tension.

Nathan grabbed Ariana’s phone and began tracing the call. A few seconds later, his expression darkened.

"Damn it… the call came from inside the prison."

Richard’s jaw tightened. "That means he still has access to the outside world."

Ariana clenched her fists. "We need to stop this before something worse happens."

Richard nodded. "And we need to move fast."

---

How did Daniel manage

to call Ariana from prison?

Who is really helping him from the outside?

What are Clara and Daniel planning next?