Chapter 123: The First Threat

Malia's phone buzzed with a shrill urgency, breaking the fragile quiet of the evening. She had been in the middle of reviewing a contract—a distraction she desperately needed—but the ominous timing of the message pulled her attention away immediately. The sender was unknown, but the text itself sent a cold shiver down her spine:

"Your sister has been followed. This is your first and only warning. Walk away before it's too late."

For a moment, Malia froze, the words blurring as panic took hold. Her mind raced, trying to push back against the tide of dread crashing over her. Her younger sister, Allie, was supposed to be safe, tucked away in their small family home on the outskirts of the city. The thought of her being targeted by Evelyn's malice felt like a knife twisting in Malia's gut.

Her trembling fingers dialed Allie's number, the ringing echoing louder in her ears with each passing second.