The man arched an eyebrow, his tone laced with mock surprise. "What a coincidence, huh?"

Simone, still refusing to believe it, shot back, "This has to be another one of your schemes to turn us against each other!"

Seeing her skepticism, the man signaled to his assistant. "She doesn't believe me? Fine. Stream my conversation with his guy for her to see."

"Yes, sir."

With that, the man left Simone behind and headed downstairs, leaving his assistant to set up the live stream as instructed.

After a few moments of fussing with the equipment, the screen flickered to life. Simone watched as the feed revealed the man sitting across from someone- Leonard's most trusted assistant. There was no mistaking him.

A cold weight settled in Simone's chest.

Leonard hadn't come. He'd gone to rescue Aurora.

Suddenly, the strange voice of the masked man echoed through her phone. "From what I know, Miss Lerman was the first to be kidnapped. And yet, Leonard didn't come for his own sister; he chose to save Aurora first?"

Simone's fists clenched involuntarily.

assistant spoke up, "Whatever you want, just say

"There's only one thing I want. I want to see Leonard in person. Here's the deal-call him right now. Tell him that if he doesn't come today, I'll make sure his precious little sister gets some...

above his pay grade. He called Leonard

connected, and Leonard's cold, unmistakable voice rang out-clear enough for Simone to hear


that's the best he can do? Fine. Let him go ahead

face drained

the conversation. Leonard's icy words kept

go ahead

released, more than twenty-four hours had

rumpled and torn. Faint, ambiguous

night had gone by,

bored with the whole spectacle, decided to let her

the sidewalk,

glanced at him. "Mr.

flat and unhurried. "The real purpose of

for

her."


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