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Chapter 40: The Mask Slips
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The investigation into the financial discrepancies at Blackwood Enterprises began in earnest the following day. Ethan’s team of forensic accountants combed through records, tracking every dollar, every transfer, every unexplained transaction. At first, it was a slow process—painstakingly detailed and frustratingly tedious—but soon enough, patterns began to emerge.
Sophia watched as Ethan grew more withdrawn, his focus entirely on uncovering the truth. He spent long hours at the office, meeting with his investigators, poring over documents, and making calls to key stakeholders. The tension in his posture, the dark circles under his eyes—everything pointed to the mounting pressure he was under. And though Sophia tried to be there for him, she knew there was only so much she could do.
One evening, after another l
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The weight of Ethan's revelation about Oliver gnawed at Sophia’s mind relentlessly. Oliver, who had been Ethan's closest confidant and who had effortlessly charmed his way into her good graces, now stood at the center of a conspiracy they never saw coming. The betrayal stung even more deeply because it was so personal. How could someone they had trusted for so long be the very architect of their demise?Sophia paced in the living room, her thoughts darting from one unsettling scenario to another. The idea that Oliver had not only deceived them but potentially orchestrated the ruin of her family left her shaken. If Oliver was behind everything, what more was he capable of? The thought chilled her to her core.Ethan had remained silent since revealing Oliver's involvement. His gaze had become distant, as if he was still trying to
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The night’s chill seemed to deepen as Sophia stood over Oliver’s lifeless body, her hands trembling. Her mind raced as the echoes of the gunshot reverberated in her head, a haunting reminder of how quickly everything could change.This was no longer just about revenge—it was about survival.Ethan’s security team rushed toward her, their footsteps a cacophony against the quiet pier. Two men immediately checked Oliver’s pulse, but their somber glances told Sophia what she already knew—he was gone.“Sophia!” Ethan’s voice pierced through the haze, and within seconds, he was at her side, pulling her away from the body. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
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The chilling text sent a shiver down Sophia’s spine. She reread the message, her mind buzzing with questions and fear. _“If you want to stay alive, stop digging. This is your last warning.”_ It was a simple message but filled with enough malice to send her heart racing. She glanced at Ethan, whose eyes were locked on hers, a frown deepening across his brow as he read the text over her shoulder.“Whoever sent this knows we’re onto them,” Ethan muttered, his voice low and filled with tension. “They want to scare us into stopping.”“Or worse,” Sophia replied softly. She set the phone down on the table, her hands trembling slightly. The air in the room had turned thick with unspoken dread, the weight of their situation hanging over them like a dark cloud.
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The cold night air cut through Sophia's lungs as she ran, the forest seeming to stretch endlessly ahead of her. Branches whipped at her skin, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She couldn’t let go of Lily’s hand, no matter how much fear clawed at her. Behind them, Ethan’s footsteps were steady, his determination keeping them all moving forward. The sounds of gunfire and shouting faded into the distance, but the threat felt ever-present—lurking just beyond the trees.“We need to keep going,” Ethan urged, his voice sharp with urgency.Sophia glanced over her shoulder, her eyes meeting his. She could see the tension in his jaw, the fierce protectiveness in his gaze. He had switched into survival mode, and she could tell that every instinct in him was focused on keeping them safe. There was no room for error. They had no choice but to press on.Lily stumbled, her body trembling with fear and exhaustion. Sophia slowed just enough to steady her sister, wrapping an arm around her to
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Sophia's pulse surged, her senses sharpening as she and Ethan jerked apart, their breath visible in the cold night air. The crackling noise echoed through the forest, sinister in the eerie quiet that followed. Her eyes darted to Ethan's, and in that instant, they both knew the moment they'd shared was gone—replaced by the harsh reality of survival."Inside," Ethan whispered urgently, gripping Sophia’s arm. His voice was a mixture of tenderness and command, his protective instincts flaring. “Now.”They hurried back into the cabin. Sophia’s mind raced as she moved quietly, her eyes adjusting to the dim light within. Ethan immediately went for the handgun he had placed on the nearby table, his movements quick and calculated. Sophia glanced at Lily, still asleep but twitching uncomfortably as if some part of her sensed the tension in the air. Ethan pressed his ear to the cabin wall, listening intently. His entire frame was rigid with alertness, the gun held tightly in his hand. “It could
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Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest as she quietly closed the door, her pulse deafening in her ears. Her mind raced as she processed the situation—someone was outside, and they were armed. She had no idea if it was one of the men from earlier or someone entirely different, but that didn’t matter now. Danger had found them again.She turned, her breath catching as she moved swiftly across the room to where Ethan slept. Her hand was already shaking him awake before she realized she had made the decision. Ethan stirred immediately, his eyes snapping open, sharp and alert."Someone’s out there," she whispered urgently. "I saw them in the woods. They're getting closer."Ethan was on his feet in seconds, his entire body tensing as he grabbed the handgun from the table. His gaze flickered toward the door, and then to Lily, who was still blissfully unaware of the threat looming over them."Stay here with her," he said in a low voice, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Keep her safe."Sop
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The oppressive weight of the forest pressed in on all sides as Ethan led the way, his hand still gripping Sophia's tightly. The sound of footsteps in the distance had grown fainter, but the tension had not dissipated. Sophia's heart raced with every hurried step, her mind still reeling from the kiss they had just shared.Lily stumbled slightly over a tree root, and Sophia reached out to steady her, whispering reassurances to her sister despite the growing sense of dread that gnawed at her insides. For days now, they had been running, hiding, but never escaping. It felt as though danger lurked behind every tree, every shadow."How far do you think they are?" Lily whispered, her voice trembling.Ethan slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder to meet Sophia's eyes. "They’re close, but we still have some time. We need to keep moving. There’s a safer spot up ahead where we can stop for the night."Sophia nodded, though the fear in Lily’s eyes made her stomach churn. She had to be strong
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