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Alina’s POV

The weight of responsibility bore down on me as I walked to my wardrobe and selected a long, formal gown in a deep shade of red. It was the color of power, of justice of finality. Today marked the end for Lia. Today, she would face judgment for her crime.

Once dressed, I tied my hair back in a sleek bun and slipped on a pair of black heels. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, fierce and composed, but inside, I felt a twinge of uncertainty. Shaking it off, I grabbed my phone and left my chambers.

The dungeon was damp, the cold air biting against my skin as I walked down the dimly lit corridors. Lia sat in the far corner of her cell, her face pale but defiant. She didn’t look like someone who was about to face her end.

“Get up,” I ordered, unlocking the cell door. My voice was clipped and firm.

Lia stood slowly, her movements deliberate, as if mocking my authority. “So, it’s today,” she said, her voice calm.

I ignored her tone, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the cell. “Today marks your final day,” I said coldly. “The day you’ll be judged and punished for killing Finn. And after that, you’ll be gone from this earth.”

Lia didn’t respond, but I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I led her through the halls.

The grand hall was already bustling with activity. The elders sat in their designated seats, their faces solemn and expectant. Guards stood at attention along the walls, their eyes trained on me as I pushed Lia forward.

“Move,” I snapped, shoving her toward the spot designated for her at the center of the room. Lia stumbled slightly but caught herself, her expression unreadable as she took her place.

I walked up to my seat at the head of the table and sat down. Taking a deep breath, I addressed the room. “Elders, we may begin.”

Before anyone could speak, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I hesitated, glancing down at the screen. It was an anonymous message. A part of me wanted to ignore it—this was no time for distractions but something compelled me to check it.

Unlocking my phone, I opened the message and saw a video file. My pulse quickened as I pressed play.

The footage was shaky but clear. It showed Luca and Dean standing together, talking in hushed tones. I turned up the volume, and their voices filled my ears:

“…we destroy this gun, and it’s over,” Luca was saying.
Dean’s reply was chillingly calm. “Fine. But I don’t trust you.”

I froze, my mind racing. What were they doing together? Why was Dean discussing a gun with Luca?

“Alina?” one of the elders prompted, drawing my attention back to the room.

I quickly locked my phone and forced a neutral expression. “Halt the meeting,” I said abruptly. “I’ve just received an urgent message that requires my attention.”

The elders exchanged confused glances but complied, leaning back in their chairs.

As they murmured among themselves, I replayed the video, this time plugging in my earphones to hear every word clearly. The conversation between Luca and Dean continued their tone tense but calculated.

The realization hit me like a thunderbolt. My thoughts flashed back to what Lia had said during her initial plea: “What if I’m not the one responsible? What if the person is really close to you?”

Could it be true? Could Dean, my trusted partner, have something to do with Finn’s death?

My heart pounded in my chest as the implications sank in. I needed time to process this.

“Guards,” I called out, my voice steady but firm. “Take Lia to a spare room and lock her in. She is to remain there until further notice.”

The guards immediately moved to comply, grabbing Lia and escorting her out of the hall. Lia didn’t resist, but as she passed me, she gave me a small, knowing smile that sent a chill down my spine.

Once she was gone, I stood up, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me. “This meeting is adjourned,” I announced, earning confused looks from the elders. “I’ll call for you again when I’m ready.”

Without waiting for a response, I left the hall and retreated to my office, shutting the door behind me. The walls seemed to close in as I paced the room, the video replaying in my mind.

Pulling out my phone, I tried to trace the sender of the message, but it was no use. The number was untraceable, and the sender was anonymous. Frustration boiled within me, mixing with the nagging sense of betrayal.

I couldn’t ignore this. I needed answers, and there was only one person who could give them to me.

Taking a deep breath, I dialed Dean’s number. The phone rang twice before he picked up.

“Alina?” His voice was calm, but I could detect a hint of surprise.

“There’s something we need to discuss,” I said, keeping my tone measured. “It’s important. Come to my office immediately.”

Dean hesitated for a moment. “I’ll be there.”

As I ended the call, I let out a shaky sigh. My hands trembled slightly as I placed the phone on my desk.

Whatever was happening, I needed to get to the bottom of it. And if Dean was hiding something, I would find out.

___

Jenny’s POV

I tapped my fingers on the table as I stared at my phone, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slow. I hoped Alina had received the anonymous video and would do the right thing to halt the meeting. That single video held the power to turn everything upside down.

Bianca was near the meeting area, which was perfect for getting updates. Without wasting time, I dialed her number. She picked up almost immediately.

“Bianca,” I said quickly. “What’s happening? Has Alina stopped the meeting yet?”

There was a pause before Bianca answered. “She stopped it,” she whispered. “Lia’s been taken to another room, and Alina went straight to her office. She looked… rattled.”

A satisfied smile tugged at my lips. “Good. That means she saw the video. Keep an eye out for any other developments.”

“Will do,” Bianca replied before hanging up.

Without missing a beat, I called Luca. He answered on the second ring.

“She stopped the meeting,” I told him. “Alina’s in her office now. Bianca says she looked shaken, so she must’ve seen the video. I’ll try to find out what’s going on.”

“Good,” Luca said, his voice steady but tense. “Let me know what you find out.”

I hung up and stood, smoothing down the front of my shirt. It was time to act. I walked confidently down the hall toward Alina’s office.

The guards stationed outside gave me a brief glance but said nothing as I pushed open the door without knocking. Alina was pacing the room, her arms folded across her chest. She looked up sharply, her face a mix of frustration and unease.

“Jenny,” she said flatly, stopping mid-step.

I feigned concern, stepping inside and closing the door behind me. “I heard the meeting was stopped. I thought Lia would’ve been punished by now. Honestly, I was hoping to see that happen.”

Alina’s expression darkened, and she let out a sharp breath. “I halted the meeting,” she said curtly, “and I’m waiting for Dean to arrive.”

Her words caught me off guard, but I quickly masked my surprise. “Dean? Why?”

Alina didn’t answer. Instead, she turned away, her gaze fixed on the window as though lost in thought.

I pressed her again. “Alina, what’s going on? Why would you stop the meeting for Dean?”

Still, she said nothing, her silence only deepening my curiosity. Whatever was on her mind, it was clearly serious.

I decided not to push further. “Well,” I said, injecting a hint of false cheer into my tone, “I hope everything works out. But for what it’s worth, I’d really love to see Lia punished. She deserves it.”

Alina didn’t respond, and I took that as my cue to leave.

As soon as I was out of her office, a triumphant smile spread across my face. I headed straight to Bianca, who was waiting for me in the lounge.

“Well?” Bianca asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I leaned in close, lowering my voice. “It’s working,” I said, my excitement barely contained. “She stopped the meeting, and she’s waiting for Dean. She didn’t say why, but you could see the doubt all over her face.”

Bianca’s grin mirrored mine. “Finally. She’s starting to see the truth.”

“Exactly,” I said, crossing my arms. “And once she confronts Dean, it’ll all come crashing down for him. He’s been walking around like he’s untouchable, but not anymore.”

Bianca nodded eagerly. “Do you think she’ll punish him immediately?”

“She might,” I said with a smirk. “But even if she doesn’t, she’s already questioning him. That’s all we need for now.”

I leaned back, savoring the moment. Everything was falling into place. Dean thought he could outsmart everyone, but his arrogance would be his downfall.

“We need to stay close,” I added, my tone serious now. “The moment Alina makes a move, we need to be ready.”

Bianca nodded again, her expression determined. “This is just the beginning.”

I smiled, satisfied. Dean wouldn’t see it coming. And when the truth was finally out, he’d have no one to blame but himself.