A Race Against Time

Mia sat in stunned silence as the weight of her father's words sank in. Project Paragon. Her DNA. A secret experiment. It was too much to process.

Alexander was already in motion. "Victor, how long will it take to crack the encryption?"

Victor's fingers flew over the keyboard. "I can have a rough location in an hour, but if Marco already has this information, we don't have much time."

Mia clenched her fists. "We have to move fast. If my father is alive, we need to reach him before Marco does."

Alexander nodded. "Agreed. Get the location as soon as possible. I'll prepare the team."

Mia watched him as he made quick calls, issuing orders. His unwavering determination gave her strength, but fear gnawed at her.

What if they were too late?

What if Marco had already found her father?

She took a deep breath, pushing the doubts aside. No. I won't lose him too.

Victor suddenly cursed under his breath. "Damn it. The file's security just triggered a silent alarm."

Alexander stiffened. "Meaning?"

Victor's expression darkened. "Meaning whoever encrypted this knows we accessed it. If Marco has access to the same system, he knows we're onto him."

A chill ran down Mia's spine.

Alexander turned to her. "We have no choice. We have to leave now."

Victor's screen beeped, and he exhaled sharply. "Got it! The transmission was sent from an abandoned facility just outside Zurich, Switzerland."

Alexander grabbed his jacket. "Then that's where we're going."

Mia didn't hesitate. "I'm coming with you."

Alexander hesitated, his protective instincts warring with reality. "Mia—"

"No." She met his gaze, steel in her eyes. "This is about me. My father. My past. I need to be there."

After a tense pause, Alexander nodded. "Then we move together."