Her Father

The jet touched down smoothly on the private airstrip outside Zurich. The moment the wheels hit the ground, Alexander was already issuing orders.

"Victor, take Mia to the safe house first. I don't want her near the facility until we have a clear picture of what's inside."

Mia shook her head. "No. I'm not sitting this out. This is about my father, Alexander. I need to be there."

He exhaled sharply. He knew better than to argue with her when she had that look in her eyes. "Then you stay close to me. No wandering off, no risks."

Victor pulled up a live feed from the surveillance drones. "There are guards posted at two points—main entrance and south perimeter. They're armed, but not expecting an infiltration."

Alexander smirked. "Good. Let's keep it that way."

They moved swiftly through the outskirts of the city, taking a discreet route toward the old facility. The building loomed ahead, dark and imposing, its walls covered in ivy and timeworn decay. But despite its abandoned appearance, the flicker of security cameras and the occasional shadow moving in the windows told another story.

"Marco's definitely been here," Victor murmured.

Mia's stomach churned. If Marco was involved, then this was bigger than she imagined.

Alexander signaled for them to move. They slipped past the main fence, staying in the shadows. Mia's pulse pounded as they crept toward a side entrance. Alexander tested the door—locked.

Victor crouched beside him, quickly working on the electronic panel. Within seconds, the lock clicked open.

"Let's move," Alexander whispered.

The moment they stepped inside, Mia felt a chill. The air was stale, thick with the scent of dust and something metallic.

A faint light flickered at the end of the hallway.

And then, a voice.

"You shouldn't have come here, Mia."

She froze, her breath hitching.

That voice…

It was one she hadn't heard in years.

Slowly, she turned.

And standing in the dim light, half in shadow, was the man she had spent years searching for.

Her father.