Chapter 9
308 Words
Flames of Betrayal
The drive to the warehouse was tense.
No one spoke.
As Evans' black sedan pulled up, thick black smoke still curled into the sky while firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the last of the flames.
Employees stood outside, frightened and whispering among themselves.
Lucas hurried toward Evans.
"The fire is under control, sir, but most of Warehouse Three has been destroyed."
Evans surveyed the damage, his jaw clenched.
"What caused it?"
"The investigators believe it was arson."
Ami's eyes widened.
"Someone set it on fire?"
Lucas nodded.
"They found traces of an accelerant."
Evans' phone buzzed.
An anonymous message appeared on the screen.
This is only the beginning. Protect your wife... if you can.
His grip tightened around the phone.
Whoever was behind this wasn't just attacking his company anymore.
They were threatening Ami.
He turned to Lucas.
"Double the security at the mansion. No one enters without my permission."
Lucas nodded immediately.
"Yes, sir."
Ami noticed the tension in Evans' face.
"What happened?"
He hesitated before handing her the phone.
She read the message, and a chill ran down her spine.
"Because of me?"
"No," Evans said firmly. "Because of me."
Before she could respond, a firefighter approached.
"Mr. Kingston, we found something in the office."
He handed Evans a half-burned silver lighter.
Engraved on it were the initials...
R.S.
Evans' eyes narrowed.
Richard Sterling.
Was his own uncle behind the attack... or was someone trying to frame him?
That evening, back at the mansion, Evans found Ami sitting alone in the living room.
"You should get some rest."
She shook her head.
"I can't. Someone wants to hurt you."
He looked at her quietly.
"They'll have to get through me first."
The words escaped before he could stop them.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Something between them had begun to change.
- Writer
