Chapter 32: Shadow’s Warning “We can’t trust them, Ava said, her voice trembling with frustration. “Not everything that’s happened. Liam leaned against the mantel, gaze steady calm. “We don’t a choice, Ava. If what they say is true, we’re more danger than we thought. stopped and turned to face him, her blazing. “And what if it’s another trap? What if they’re leading into another ambush?” Liam could the door creaked open, and a hooded figure stepped inside. The room fell silent, only the crackling the fire. The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a gaunt face sharp, calculating eyes. “I can assure you, Ava, am not enemy,” the informant said, their voice and measured. “But you have very little time to act. Ava her arms, skepticism etched her face. “You expect us to after all the betrayals we’ve faced? Give us one reason why we shouldn’t throw you out right now. reached into coat and produced a worn envelope, it onto the desk them. “Because this contains someone within own family is plotting against you. If you don’t see for yourself. Liam stepped forward and picked up the envelope, his fingers hesitating before tore it open. Inside photographs, a detailed map. He them on the desk, his expression darkening with piece evidence he examined. “This… can’t be,” Liam muttered, meeting Ava’s. “It’s all here. meetings, the everything. Ava’s breath caught in her throat scanned the documents. Her hands trembled as up photograph, her eyes narrowing as face. “Uncle Robert,” she a of anger and disbelief in voice. “He’s behind this?” The informant nodded. “He’s been orchestrating for years, using your family’s to his own empire. you don’t now, he’ll take everything from you. Ava a wave of nausea wash over her. She turned struggling to compose herself. are you helping it for you?” The informant’s eyes softened, a hint of vulnerability through stoic facade. “Let’s just say I my own reasons for wanting to see downfall. But we don’t have time to delve into my motives. He’s planning something big, and happening soon. Liam stepped closer to Ava, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. “We have to trust them, Ava. least enough to Robert. If don’t, everything we’ve fought for will be for nothing. Ava looked at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. She nodded slowly, turning to the informant. “Alright. What do we need do?” Before the informant respond, a loud crash echoed through house, sound of hurried footsteps. The three of them froze, their eyes darting towards the door. “They’ve me,” the informant whispered, their paling. “We need to get out of here, now. Ava’s pulling her towards a hidden passage the bookshelf. “This way. We can’t let them get to us. The followed, but they reached passage, masked assailant into the room, gun drawn. Ava’s heart her chest as she glanced back, seeing grapple with the attacker. have to help them!” Ava shouted, trying to free from Liam’s grip. Liam hesitated, his locked on the struggle before them. “We can’t, Ava. If we stay, we’ll all be caught. to get out and regroup. Ava’s eyes filled with tears she watched the informant for their life. knew was right, but leaving them behind felt another betrayal. “I can’t just Liam!” The assailant overpowered informant, knocking to the ground. turned their attention to Ava and Liam, raising their weapon. In split-second decision, Liam shoved Ava into the passage slammed door shut. “Ava, go! I’ll hold them off!” Liam shouted, his voice muffled thick walls. “No, Ava cried, pounding the door. “Don’t do this!” The sounds of the struggle grew as she stumbled through the dark tears blurring her vision. could hear the distant of shouts and gunfire, she kept moving, driven by a desperate need to survive. Finally, she emerged a hidden courtyard, cold air biting at her skin. She against stone wall, sobs wracking her body. She felt the weight their predicament pressing down on her, the uncertainty of lay ahead overwhelming. As caught her breath, a figure emerged from the shadows, face obscured by darkness. Ava ready to defend herself, but the figure stepped the light, revealing familiar face. “Liam?” Ava whispered, trembling with hope and fear. his face bruised and but alive. “We need to move, Ava. There are more them coming. pushed to feet, hardening her features. find a way save them, Liam. We’ll stop Robert and take back what’s ours. Liam nodded, his eyes reflecting her resolve. “Together. We’ll do this together. Behind in depths of the informant lay unconscious, a mysterious standing over them. The figure bent down, whispering something in informant’s before disappearing into the leaving chilling promise of more to come.