The mood in the villa had shifted from tense to charged.
Emma's departure had carved a wound in the group. Where there was once playful banter, now there was silence. Even Yuna, who often led the emotional temperature of the group, seemed withdrawn. Her usually sharp and assertive voice was quieter now, more calculated.
But in that silence, something else was brewing. Focus.
They were done being pawns.
Darius stood at the center of the courtyard as the sun rose higher, casting long shadows over the lounge chairs and pool. The phone in his pocket buzzed again. Another message.
**Unknown Number: "Evidence is stored in the green room. Top shelf. Hidden drive behind the audio books."
He didn't waste time. Gathering the girls quickly, he explained the latest message.
"We're going to split up. Alicia and I will check the green room. Yuna, Avery, stay by the cameras and look for blind spots."
"What if they catch us?" Avery asked.
