Diana woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through the windows of her lavish bedroom in the mansion. She stretched her arms and yawned, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a good night's sleep.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her mind turned to her daily routine. She loved to start her day with exercise, and her favorite activity was jogging. There was something about the fresh air, the wind in her hair, and the pounding of her feet on the pavement that invigorated her and cleared her mind.
But Diana had been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately. She had stopped cleaning the mansion herself, leaving it to the staff to manage. She just didn't have the energy or motivation to keep up with the endless dusting, polishing, and vacuuming.
So, she decided to jog alone today, without her personal trainer Maria. She needed some time to herself, to clear her head and process her thoughts.
Diana quickly got dressed in her jogging gear and headed out the front door, into the crisp morning air. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze fill her lungs, and started to jog down the driveway.
As she ran, she felt a sense of freedom and escape. She didn't have to think about the mansion, or her father's dealings, or Mark's investigation. She could just be, and let her feet carry her away.
The road wound through the countryside, past rolling hills and verdant forests. Diana jogged on, her feet pounding out a steady rhythm, her heart beating strong and steady. She felt alive, and free, and full of possibility.
After an hour of jogging, Diana started to feel a sense of fatigue creeping in. She had been running at a steady pace, her feet pounding the pavement in a rhythmic beat. As she rounded a bend in the road, she noticed a figure behind her.
At first, she thought it was just another jogger or a cyclist, but as she glanced back again, she realized the person was keeping pace with her. A shiver ran down her spine as she wondered if she was being followed.
Diana picked up her pace, her heart beating slightly faster. She didn't want to be paranoid, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced back again, and the person was still there, about 20 feet behind her.
She could see that it was a man, dressed in dark clothing and a baseball cap. He was trying to be inconspicuous, but Diana's instincts told her otherwise. She felt a surge of fear and adrenaline as she realized she needed to get away from him.
Diana turned off the main road and onto a smaller path that wound through the woods. She hoped to lose the man in the trees, but as she glanced back, she saw him follow her onto the path. Her heart racing, she started to run faster, her breath coming in short gasps. Who was this person, and what did he want?
Diana quickly jogged off the path and into a nearby restaurant, hoping to lose the mysterious follower. She burst through the door, out of breath, and made her way to the bar, trying to blend in with the other patrons.
She positioned herself with her back to the wall, eyes fixed on the door, waiting to see if the person would follow her inside. A few moments later, the door swung open and the man walked in, his eyes scanning the room.
Diana's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, but the man quickly looked away, his gaze sweeping the room as if searching for someone. He was still wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses, making it impossible to see his face.
The man walked past the bar, his eyes fixed on the menu board, and Diana felt a surge of frustration. She had hoped to get a glimpse of his face, but he seemed to be deliberately hiding his identity.
As he waited in line to order, Diana noticed that he kept his head down, his face obscured by the cap and sunglasses. It was as if he knew she was watching him, and was taking steps to avoid being recognized.
Diana's mind was racing with questions. Who was this person? What did he want? And why was he so determined to keep his face hidden? She decided to wait and observe, hoping to learn more about this mysterious stranger.
Diana decided she had seen enough and stepped out of the restaurant, back into the bright sunlight. She didn't look back, but instead, started jogging back to the mansion, her heart still racing from the encounter.
As she ran, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the sensation lingered.
When she arrived at the mansion, she burst through the front door, slamming it shut behind her. She leaned against the door, catching her breath and trying to process what had just happened.
Charles, was waiting for her in the foyer, a look of concern on his face. "Miss Diana, is everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
Diana hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I was followed while I was jogging," she said finally. "I don't know who it was or what they wanted, but it freaked me out."
Charles's expression turned serious. "I'll increase the security measures immediately, Miss Diana. Would you like me to inform your father?"
Diana hesitated. She wasn't sure if she wanted to involve her father just yet. She needed time to think, to figure out what was going on and why she was being followed. "Not yet, Charles. Let's just keep this between us for now."
Mark was getting ready to head to Thomas Tower, determined to finally get some answers about Serpent and his father's involvement. He was adjusting his tie in the mirror when Diana burst into his room.
"Mark, I'm coming with you," she said, her eyes flashing with determination.
Mark turned to her, surprised. "Diana, I don't think that's a good idea. This could be dangerous."
But Diana was insistent. "I've been followed, Mark. I think it's connected to whatever is going on with my father and Serpent. I need to be there."
Mark hesitated, unsure what to do. But Diana's expression was unyielding. He knew she wouldn't back down.
"Fine," he said finally. "But stay close to me and do exactly as I say."
Diana nodded, a look of relief washing over her face. "Thank you, Mark. Let's go."
Together, they headed out to Mark's car and drove to Thomas Tower, the sleek skyscraper looming above them as they arrived. Mark's heart was racing with anticipation and a hint of fear. What would they find inside? And would they be able to
uncover the truth about Serpent?