Chapter 60 - Surprise Visit

"Sarah," Kendra began softly, leaning in slightly to catch Sarah's eye. "What if we visit Giselle at Shane David's home? Just to check if she's safe and to get to the bottom of this."
Sarah paused, her brow furrowing as she considered Kendra's suggestion. Shane David's secluded mansion had been the center of their recent concerns, especially after learning about his hidden identity as a werewolf. "I don't know," Sarah admitted quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "His house is... it's very private. But maybe we should try."
Kendra nodded, her determination clear. "We have to make sure Giselle is okay," she insisted, her eyes conveying both worry and resolve. "And we need to find out what Shane David's involvement really means."
Sarah sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. "Alright," she agreed finally, her voice firming with resolve. "Let's do it. But we need to be cautious."
Gathering their belongings and exchanging a few quick words with their colleagues, Sarah and Kendra set out from the bustling TV network office, their thoughts focused on the mission ahead. They drove in tense silence, the distance to Shane David's secluded estate seeming longer than usual.
As they approached the gated entrance, Sarah parked the car and they were greeted by a security guard, who eyed them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Kendra stepped forward, taking the lead as she addressed the guard with urgency.
"We need to see Giselle," Kendra explained firmly, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "It's important."
The guard hesitated, clearly taken aback by the unexpected request. "I'm sorry, but Mr. David's residence is private," he responded politely yet firmly. "I can't allow access without his permission."
Sarah stepped in, her demeanor calm yet resolute. "Please," she implored, her voice tinged with concern. "We just need to make sure our friend is safe."
After a tense moment, the guard relented, disappearing into the security booth to make a call. Sarah and Kendra exchanged a hopeful glance, their hearts pounding with a mix of anticipation and worry.
Moments later, the guard returned with a nod. "Mr. David will see you," he announced, gesturing for them to follow him through the gates.
They drove through the expansive grounds, shaded by towering trees and manicured gardens that spoke of wealth and seclusion. Sarah navigated the winding paths with a sense of unease, her thoughts racing through the possibilities of what they might find.
Sarah and Kendra stood outside the imposing gates of Shane David's secluded mansion, their hearts racing with a mix of determination and apprehension. The estate sprawled before them, its grandeur matched only by the aura of mystery that surrounded it. Sarah reached out and pressed the intercom button beside the gate, the sound echoing faintly in the quietude of the estate.
After a brief moment, two security guards emerged from a small security booth adjacent to the gate. They approached with measured steps, their expressions guarded yet curious. One of them, a burly man with a stern demeanor, spoke first.
"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice gruff yet professional, his eyes scrutinizing Sarah and Kendra.
Sarah took a deep breath, meeting the guard's gaze with steady resolve. "We're here to see Giselle," she explained calmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "It's urgent."
The guards exchanged a skeptical glance, clearly unaccustomed to unexpected visitors making such requests. The second guard, a younger man with a more approachable demeanor, stepped forward, his curiosity piqued.
"Do you have an appointment?" he inquired, his tone more accommodating as he looked between Sarah and Kendra.
Kendra stepped in, her urgency palpable. "No, but it's important," she insisted, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. "We need to make sure she's safe."
The guards exchanged another glance, silently communicating their uncertainty. The burly guard folded his arms across his chest, his expression stern as he regarded Sarah and Kendra with a hint of suspicion.
"I'm sorry, but Mr. David's residence is private," he stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "I can't allow access without his permission."
Sarah's resolve hardened, her concern for Giselle outweighing any sense of hesitation. "Please," she implored, her voice steady yet earnest. "We just need to know if she's here. It's really important."
The younger guard hesitated, torn between protocol and empathy for their obvious concern. After a moment of deliberation, he turned to the burly guard, silently seeking guidance.
The burly guard sighed, relenting slightly under Sarah's earnest gaze. "Wait here," he instructed gruffly, disappearing back into the security booth to make a call.
Sarah and Kendra exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding with a mix of hope and apprehension. Moments passed in tense silence before the burly guard returned, his expression unreadable.
The guard returned with a slight nod, breaking the tense silence that hung in the air. "Miss Giselle has agreed to meet you," he announced, his tone neutral but carrying a hint of reassurance.
Sarah and Kendra exchanged a relieved glance, their worries momentarily eased by the news. Sarah nodded in gratitude to the guard before turning to Kendra with a small smile. "Let's go," she said, her voice tinged with determination.
They followed the guard's lead through the gates and along the winding driveway that led deeper into Shane David's expansive estate. The mansion loomed larger as they approached, its imposing presence softened by the meticulously manicured gardens and the serene beauty of its surroundings.
Sarah maneuvered the car with practiced ease, navigating through the lush greenery and ornate sculptures that adorned the path. Kendra glanced out the window, her thoughts racing with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The enormity of their surroundings mirrored the weight of their mission—to find Giselle and ensure her safety amidst the revelations they had uncovered.
As they pulled up in front of the grand entrance, Sarah cut the engine, the quiet hum of the car contrasting with the stillness of the estate. They stepped out onto the gravel driveway, their footsteps echoing softly in the tranquil atmosphere.