Isabella went straight to the bathroom when she got home. She turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her, washing away the blood and grime from the confrontation. The steam filled the bathroom, fogging up the mirrors and creating a thick, humid atmosphere. As she scrubbed her skin, she couldn't help but replay the events of the day in her mind—the mocking laughter, the tension, the smell of gunpowder, and the blood staining the floor.
After drying off, she dressed in fresh clothes and sat on the edge of her bed for a moment, staring at the floor. She felt a whirlwind of emotions—anger, satisfaction, but also a gnawing sense of guilt. She picked up her phone and called Madam Gift.
"Hello, Madam Gift. Is Grandpa Fernandez in his office?"
"Yes, he's waiting for you," came the calm response.
She stood up, taking a deep breath to steady herself. It was time to face Grandpa Fernandez. She made her way to the Rogers Castle, her mind still racing. As she entered, she signaled one of the goons to bring Todd. The goons dragged him in, bloody and weak. His eyes flickered with a mix of fear and defiance. She grabbed him by his collar and dragged him into Grandpa Fernandez's office.
Fernandez stood up, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Todd. "Why did you bring this mess to the office?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Isabella squared her shoulders. "I tried talking to them, offering compensation and money for the land. I tried settlement, but they wouldn't accept it. So I brought him in to tell us where the documents for the land are."
Todd spat defiantly, his spit mingling with the blood on his face. "I will say nothing," he declared. "I will talk about nothing."
Grandpa Fernandez's gaze hardened. "But that's just a formality. With all of them gone, we just need a lawyer to draft documents for the land."
Isabella's jaw tightened. "So he's not needed?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of the frustration she felt.
Grandpa Fernandez sat down, lit his cigarette, and took a long drag, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. "Just get rid of him," he said coldly.
Todd's eyes widened in desperation. "I can help," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "I know where the documents are. I will talk. Please, spare my life."
Isabella's grip on Todd's collar tightened, her knuckles turning white. The room was thick with tension. She looked into Todd's eyes, seeing the fear and desperation there. For a moment, she felt a pang of pity, but it was quickly overridden by the memory of Mia and the brutality she had endured.
"Where are the documents?" she demanded, her voice like steel.
Todd swallowed hard, his eyes darting between Isabella and Grandpa Fernandez. "They're hidden in a safe house, under the floorboards of an old warehouse on the outskirts of town," he confessed. "Please, I can take you there. Just spare my life."
Grandpa Fernandez leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" He turned to Isabella. "Take him to the safe house. Retrieve the documents. Then do whatever you need to do."
Isabella nodded, pulling Todd to his feet. "Let's go," she said, her voice brooking no argument.
As they left the office, Todd stumbled beside her, his fear palpable. "You don't have to kill me," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I can be useful."
Isabella didn't respond, her mind focused on the task at hand. She led him to the car, the same black Mercedes that had brought her to the Zebra Womb. As they drove, the city lights blurred past, and she couldn't help but think of all the lives that had been ruined in this endless cycle of power and revenge.
When they arrived at the warehouse, Todd led her inside, pointing out the hidden safe under the floorboards. True to his word, the documents were there. Isabella took them, her mind already thinking of the next steps.
She turned to Todd, who was watching her with a mixture of hope and fear. "Please," he whispered. "I did what you asked."
Isabella looked at him for a long moment, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her. "Get out of here," she said finally, her voice tired. "And don't ever let me see you again."
Todd didn't need to be told twice. He ran, as Isabella looked at him running, Flashes of mia pictures were sent flashing before her eyes, she said softly "This is for you Mia" as she raised her gun and shot Todd twice.
She turned and entered her car and drove back to the Rogers mansion with the documents. Isabella had successfully secured the 1,000 hectares of land that Grandpa Fernandez had so desperately wanted. Grandpa Fernandez laughed heartily, a cloud of smoke swirling in the air as he puffed on his cigar.
"Well done, Isabella," he said, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "This calls for a celebration, you know."
Isabella rose from her seat, her face a mask of impassiveness. "I need to leave," she said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Grandpa Fernandez looked at her, a hint of confusion crossing his features. "I said, this calls for a celebration," he repeated, emphasizing each word.
Isabella didn't respond. She turned and walked out of the office, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily on her shoulders. She made her way back to the camp, her mind a whirl of conflicting emotions.
Back at the camp, Isabella entered her room with a heavy heart. The weight of the recent mission and the memories of Mia pressed down on her. She moved to the wall adorned with pictures, her fingers tracing the edges of each frame. Determined, she began taking them down one by one, placing them carefully into a box.
When she came across Mia's pictures, a fresh wave of grief washed over her. Tears spilled from her eyes as she gently placed the photos in the box. "I've avenged you, Mia," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I'm sorry you went down like this."
The room felt emptier without the pictures, but it was a necessary step. Isabella needed to process her loss, to honor her friend. She tearfully packed Mia's belongings, each item a painful reminder of their bond and Mia's untimely end. As she worked, memories of their time together flooded her mind—Mia's laughter, their shared dreams, and the unwavering friendship that had seen them through the toughest of times.
Isabella sat back on her heels, holding one of Mia's favorite scarves close to her chest. "I promise, I won't let your memory fade," she vowed quietly. "I'll carry you with me, always."