chapter twenty two
416 Words
Secrets Beneath the Surface
The rain finally began to ease.
But the tension inside the Carter mansion only grew heavier.
Ethan stood in his study, the note from Sophia spread across his desk.
The game has just begun, Ethan.
He had read those words at least ten times.
Each time, they felt more like a threat.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Ryan entered.
"Our men searched the entire estate."
"And?"
"Nothing."
Ethan frowned.
"No footprints. No vehicles. No witnesses."
"It was as if Victor and Sophia vanished into thin air."
Ethan clenched his fists.
"They wanted us chasing shadows."
Just then, Maya appeared at the doorway.
She hesitated.
"Can I come in?"
Ethan looked up and softened immediately.
"Always."
Ryan noticed the change in his expression and quietly excused himself.
"I'll continue investigating."
The door closed behind him.
For a moment, neither Ethan nor Maya spoke.
Finally, Maya broke the silence.
"You haven't slept."
Ethan gave a tired smile.
"Neither have you."
She walked over to the desk.
"You're thinking about Sophia."
He nodded.
"I've spent times trying to try to move on."
"And now she's suddenly found."
Maya looked at him carefully.
"why did she disappear like that .. ?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
Ryan.
Ethan answered immediately.
"What is it?"
Ryan's voice was urgent.
"We found something."
"I'm sending the location now."
"What did you find?"
"A hidden warehouse registered under a fake company."
"And there's something painted on one of the walls."
"What?"
Ryan took a deep breath.
"The Carter family logo."
Ethan's expression hardened.
"We're leaving now."
"I'm coming too," Maya said.
Ethan looked at her.
"It's dangerous."
"So is staying behind."
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Finally, he nodded.
"Stay close to me."
Less than thirty minutes later, three black SUVs pulled up outside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
The building looked deserted.
Broken windows.
Rusted metal doors.
Overgrown weeds.
Ryan signaled to the security team.
They quietly surrounded the building.
Ethan pushed the heavy door open.
It creaked loudly.
Inside...
Dust covered everything.
Old machinery stood abandoned.
The air smelled of rust and damp concrete.
Then Maya noticed something.
"Ethan..."
She pointed toward the far wall.
Painted in bright red was the Carter family crest.
Beneath it were four chilling words:
TRUST NO ONE INSIDE.
Before anyone could react—
A loud metallic clang echoed from the upper floor.
Someone was still in the warehouse.
- Writer
