LOGINSophia’s face drained of color. “W-What?” she stammered. “Arrest me? For what?”The police officer unfolded a document and looked straight at her. “We have a warrant for your arrest, Mrs. Blackwood.”He spoke in a calm, firm voice. “You are being arrested in connection with the death of Rebecca Stein.”Sophia froze. “What?” she whispered.The officer continued. “Our investigation found records showing that you made several payments to Ms. Stein. We also have evidence that you threatened her several times in the weeks before her death.”Sophia shot to her feet so quickly that her chair crashed onto the floor.“No!” she shouted. “That’s a lie! I never threatened her!”Her breathing became uneven. “Yes, I paid her, but that’s not a crime! Those payments have nothing to do with her death!”The officer stepped toward her. “Mrs. Blackwood, you are under arrest.”He took out a pair of handcuffs. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court
LANGSTON GROUP HEADQUARTERS – BOARDROOM – 2:00 PMMr. Langston slammed his fist against the mahogany table.“We need solutions! Right now!”The lawyers sitting across from him immediately straightened in their seats.“My daughter’s reputation is being destroyed by the minute,” he continued, his face turning red. “The media is tearing her apart, and you’re all sitting here telling me to wait?”Sophia sat beside him, silent.She looked nothing like the woman who had walked into the gala hours ago.The ruined red dress was gone. In its place was a black pantsuit that made her look powerful and untouchable.But her fingers were shaking in her lap.One of the lawyers opened his folder carefully.Mr. Whitmore cleared his throat. “Mr. Langston, the situation is… complicated. The live stream footage has gone viral. Millions of people have seen what happened when Mrs. Langston opened that box.”Mr. Langston’s face darkened. “I know what they saw!” he snapped. “I have eyes. I have a television.
BLACKWOOD PENTHOUSE ~ NEW YORK CITY Damien's face turned white. He looked at his dad, then at his step mum. His voice shook."Dad… I honestly have no idea."Alexander let out a long, heavy sigh. He rubbed his forehead."Then listen to me very carefully." His voice was quiet but sharp. "The Blackwood family has been around for generations. We've survived wars, money problems, and scandals. But never—and I mean never—has a dead body shown up at our front gate inside a gift box."Total silence.Catalina nodded slowly, her lips pressed tight."This is a whole new level of shame," she said, her voice like ice. "Even for you, Damien."Damien spun toward her, his face twisting with anger."What do you want me to do?" he yelled, throwing his hands up. "Divorce her? Is that what you're saying?"Catalina smiled—just a little, just enough to be cruel."It's not about what I want," she said, tapping her finger on the table. "It's about what you should've done years ago."She crossed her arms a
NEW YORK CITY — PRIVATE LOUNGE — 8:00 PMThe private lounge was hidden on the top floor of one of New York’s most expensive hotels. It was quiet, elegant, and far away from curious eyes.Valerie Rossi sat alone at a small round table. Her tablet was open in front of her, and a cup of hot black coffee rested beside it.She had changed out of her travel clothes into a fitted navy-blue pantsuit. Her blonde hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, giving her a sharp, professional look.She glanced around the room, taking in every exit, every camera, and every face. Years of working as a lawyer had taught her to notice everything.The door opened.A tall man stepped inside.He had broad shoulders, dark hair, and deep brown eyes that seemed to read people the moment he looked at them.He wore a simple black shirt and matching trousers, but there was nothing ordinary about him. He carried himself with calm confidence, like a man who was used to giving orders and being obeyed.Valerie stood
Damien shook his head. "I don't know. I'm still investigating. The police are looking into it.""The police?" Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You're trusting the police to handle this? You know who sent that body, Damien. Someone connected to Amelia Favino. Someone connected to that whole mess your wife created."Damien flinched. "Sophia didn't create anything. She was just trying to—""Trying to what?" Alexander interrupted. "Destroy an innocent woman? Steal another woman's husband? Ruin someone's life for fun?" He shook his head. "I know about the payments, Damien. I know about the witnesses. I know about Rebecca Stein."Damien's face went pale. "How did you—""I have eyes everywhere," Alexander said coldly. "I know everything that happens in this city. I knew about Sophia's little games months ago. I was just waiting to see how badly she would fail."Catalina leaned forward. "And now we know. She failed spectacularly. A dead body on your doorstep. The press at your gate. The FBI in
BLACKWOOD ESTATE – STUDY – 11:30 AMThe Blackwood estate screamed old money. Alexander Blackwood sat behind a massive oak desk. He was not a man who tolerated mistakes. And right now, he was furious.His wife, Catalina Reyes, sat in a leather chair across from him. She had never liked Sophia, and she never missed a chance to point out her failures.The door opened. Damien walked in.He looked terrible. His suit was wrinkled. His hair was disheveled. Dark circles hung under his eyes. He hadn't slept. He'd been dealing with police and reporters all morning. The chaos at his mansion had been relentless.Damien approached his father's desk. "Father. You wanted to see me."Alexander didn't look up from the newspaper. He flipped a page slowly. The headline was impossible to miss: "DEAD BODY DELIVERED TO LANGSTON MANSION IN GIFT BOX.""Sit down," Alexander said. His voice was cold and flat.Damien sat in the chair next to his stepmother. Catalina gave him a thin smile. She said nothing. B
INTERROGATION ROOM ~ Alejandro didn’t look at Amelia. His eyes stayed locked on Damien. “A room for men who refuse to tell the truth,” he said calmly, but his tone was ice. “A room where pain helps them remember everything they’re trying to hide.”The superintendent stiffened. “It will take fifte
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES~NEW YORK Vivian was signing documents when Mia burst into the office without knockingHer voice shook. “Vivian… he’s here.”Vivian didn’t even look up. “Who? Ryan again? Security knows what to do.”Mia shook her head fast, eyes huge. “No. Harrison Cole.”Vivian stopped moving
Alejandro leaned in close.“Call your warden. Tell him Alejandro Favino is here. And if this gate isn’t open in thirty seconds—”He lifted his phone slowly.“—I’ll call the Governor, the Mayor, the Board of Corrections, and every donor who keeps this place alive.”He stepped even closer.“This gate
FAVINO ESTATE, ITALY — ALEJANDRO’S VINEYARDThe sun climbed slowly over the green hills of Favino Estate, the biggest and most feared wine company in southern Italy. Workers moved between the vines, lifting crates, checking barrels, and trying not to draw attention to themselves.Alejandro crossed







