Chapter 144: Unraveling Secrets

Ethan paced the length of the living room, his agitation evident. "That message… How did Darren get your number, Luca?" His voice was low, but the intensity was unmistakable.

"I don't know," Luca replied, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It feels like he's two steps ahead of us every time." He glanced at his phone again, as if the ominous message might suddenly provide an answer.

"We need to stay calm," Ethan said, forcing his voice to steady. "We're not going to let Darren scare us into making mistakes." But his clenched fists told a different story. He was just as shaken, and the lingering fear was like a weight in the air.

"Gray might find something that can help us soon," Luca said, trying to inject some hope into the conversation. "We just need to keep moving and not let him corner us." His gaze shifted to the window, where the streetlights cast eerie shadows across the room. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Just as Ethan was about to respond, there was a sudden knock on the door. The sound echoed through the room, and both of them froze. They exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Ethan grabbed a nearby baseball bat, and Luca moved to answer the door cautiously.

As Luca opened the door, he was met with the sight of a young woman—disheveled, wide-eyed, and shaking. "Please… I need your help," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan lowered the bat slightly, his brow furrowing. "Who are you?"

"My name's Alyssa," she said, glancing nervously over her shoulder as if expecting someone to appear. "I used to work for Darren… I—" Her voice cracked as she spoke. "He's not who you think he is. He's dangerous, more dangerous than you know."

Luca's eyes narrowed. "You're saying this now? Why?"

Alyssa took a deep breath. "I saw things—things I shouldn't have. I've been trying to get away from him, but…" She bit her lip, her hands wringing together anxiously. "I know you're trying to expose him. I can help. I have information on his financials—proof."

Ethan stepped forward, suspicion etched on his face. "And why should we trust you? This could be a trap."

Alyssa's gaze met his, a raw desperation in her eyes. "You don't have to trust me, but you don't have much time. If I found you, then Darren already knows where you are."

The tension in the room thickened as the weight of her words settled in. If she was telling the truth, then they had a valuable ally. But if she was lying, they were walking into a trap.

Luca took a step back, his mind racing. "Come in," he said finally. "But if you're lying…" He left the threat hanging in the air, unspoken but clear.

Alyssa nodded, stepping inside and casting a wary glance around the room. "I can give you what you need," she said. "But I need protection. Darren has people everywhere. If he finds me, he won't hesitate."

As they settled into the apartment, Alyssa began recounting everything she knew. She told them about hidden accounts, offshore money, and shady deals. She had even brought a flash drive with encrypted files she had managed to steal from Darren's office. Luca and Ethan listened, absorbing the details, trying to piece together the puzzle.

But just as Alyssa started to explain one of Darren's most incriminating deals, there was a loud crash outside, followed by the unmistakable sound of shattering glass.

Luca's heart skipped a beat. It was a warning. Or worse—an attack. Their enemies were closing in, and they were running out of time.

End of Chapter 144

To Be Continued…