Rooting Out the Enemy

"Are you ready for this?" Liam's voice broke through her reverie. He stood behind her, his presence a reassuring anchor in the storm of her thoughts.

Ava's estate hummed with a quiet urgency, the air thick with unspoken tension. The lush gardens, usually a sanctuary of calm, now felt like a labyrinth of secrets. Ava stood by the large bay window, her gaze fixed on the horizon, though her mind was a whirlwind of doubt and determination.

Ava turned, her eyes meeting his. "I don't think I have a choice. If we don't act now, the Phantom will tear everything apart."

Liam nodded, stepping closer. "Our first lead is Anton. He's been acting suspiciously ever since the last attack."

Ava's heart tightened. Anton was a trusted advisor, a figure who had been with her family for years. The thought of him being a mole was almost unbearable. But recent events had shattered her ability to trust blindly.