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“Hello?”

There’s no response.

Tucking my phone into my back pocket, I walk into the hallway.

It’s empty and quiet. But the light in front of my father’s office is on. Why would he be here so late? It doesn’t make sense. Is it the securityguard?

The door of my father’s office is slightly ajar, pitch black inside. Weird.

“Dad, are you in there?” I knock on the door.

No answer. I’m going crazy.

Cautiously, I step inside, squinting as my eyes try to adjust to the darkness. I fumble for the light switch, but my hands grasp at nothing. “Where is that damn thing?”

A low, gravelly male voice appears behind me. “What are you searching for?”

I freeze. Who was that?

“Aren’t you usually… chatty?”

I turn around. An unknown figure, tall and imposing, stands near the window.

I grab the next object nearby, a paperweight, holding it up like a weapon. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

His lips curl into a smirk as he steps towards me.

“Not another step!” I wield the paperweight with my trembling hands, poised to defend myself.

“Relax. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Answer me! Or I’ll call security.”

“You mean the security I was able to bypass because he’s busy eating pizza?”

“I’ll call the police.” My heart pounds as I stare at the shadowy figure before me. Who is this man, and how did he get in here?

“Calm down, Mary,” he says smoothly. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

He knows my name? And the way he said it sounded like…

“Who the hell are you? How do you know who I am?”

Despite his intimidating appearance—broad-shouldered, dressed in black, and wearing a hood to hide his face—his demeanor exudes confidence and control and feels oddly familiar.

“Your security system has some serious flaws. It was way too easy for me to get in here.” He gestures around the dark office, stepping closer.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Look, I’ll explain everything. But first, can you put that thing down? I promise you, I’m not a threat.”

“Why should I believe you?” I grip the paperweight tighter, ready to strike if needed.

“I was hired to check the security of the building.” His gaze never wavers from mine. “And clearly, it needs improvement.”

I frown. “By whom?”

“Your father, of course.” He pauses out of arm’s reach, tilting his head as if assessing me.

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