### Chapter 11: Shadows of Danger
The night was still as Lucas returned to Dominic's base, the weight of his recent discoveries pressing on his mind. He knew that the key to protecting Neomi lay in understanding her family dynamics and the forces that sought to control her. As he entered the briefing room, he found Dominic waiting for him, as always, alert and ready for orders.
"Warlord," Dominic greeted, his voice steady and respectful, "What are your instructions?"
Lucas didn't waste any time. "I need you to gather information on Neomi's family. I want to know everything—who they are, their connections, their enemies, and their influence. Leave no stone unturned."
Dominic nodded, understanding the gravity of the task. "Consider it done, Warlord. I'll have the team on it immediately."
Lucas watched as Dominic quickly set the wheels in motion, issuing orders to the newly established team. The team members were a formidable group: Julian Harrington, the sharp strategist; Sebastian Thornton, the military tactician; Amelia Winslow, the brilliant hacker; Victoria Caldwell, the psychological expert; and the newest addition, Xeria Waltor, a science genius ranked among the top ten in the country. Together, they formed a unit that could handle any challenge thrown their way.
Satisfied that Dominic and his team were on the right track, Lucas took his leave and headed back to the Rogers estate. As he arrived, he was informed by one of the house servants that Selena, Lily, and Neomi had gone out for a while. The three women had decided to spend the day shopping, hoping to lift their spirits after the recent turmoil. Lily's husband, Quinton, had left her alone in the midst of her despair, and Neomi, fleeing a forced marriage, had needed a distraction. Shopping was their chosen escape.
Lucas acknowledged the servant's words with a nod, though he felt a twinge of concern for their safety. But he also understood that they needed this time to relax and forget their troubles, if only for a few hours. He decided not to dwell on it and returned to his room to catch up on some work.
Meanwhile, across town at Parlext Mall—the city's largest shopping complex—the three women were indeed enjoying their time together. The mall was bustling with activity, a hive of luxury and commerce, where the wealthy came to indulge in the finest goods money could buy. Selena, Lily, and Neomi strolled through the various stores, their laughter and chatter masking the heaviness that weighed on their hearts.
No one would have guessed that two of them were grappling with deep personal issues; their smiles were genuine, their enjoyment real, even if it was just for a fleeting moment. The women visited several stores, trying on clothes, jewelry, and accessories, each item more extravagant than the last.
Eventually, they made their way to **Herz Clothing Store**, the most luxurious clothing brand in the country. Herz was known for its exclusivity and elegance, a favorite among the rich and powerful. Almost every major shopping mall had a Herz store, and it was a brand adored by wealthy women across Aquaria. For Selena, Lily, and Neomi, shopping at Herz was the perfect way to end their day.
As they entered the store, Lily accidentally bumped into a young woman who was just exiting, causing the woman to drop her expensive shopping bags. The woman turned to glare at Lily, her eyes blazing with fury. She was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion, her every gesture exuding an air of superiority.
"Watch where you're going!" the woman snapped, her voice sharp. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Lily, flustered and embarrassed, quickly bent down to help pick up the fallen bags. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you—"
"Sorry isn't good enough," the woman cut her off, her tone dripping with disdain. She motioned to her female bodyguards, who immediately stepped forward, their expressions cold and intimidating. "Capture them. All three of them."
Selena stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Please, let's all calm down. It was an accident. There's no need for this."
But before she could say anything more, the woman raised her hand and slapped Selena across the face, the sound echoing through the store. Selena stumbled back, her cheek stinging from the impact.
The slap drew the attention of everyone in the vicinity, and soon a crowd had gathered around them, curious to see what was happening. The rich heirress, now even more enraged by the unwanted attention, turned to the crowd and began shouting.
"Who do you think you are, gawking at me? I'll have you all thrown out of here if you don't leave immediately!" she screamed, her voice rising with each word.
As the tension in the room escalated, a middle-aged man stepped out from the crowd, his demeanor calm and authoritative. "Miss, I'm the manager of this mall," he introduced himself, his tone firm. "You need to leave. We don't tolerate this kind of behavior here."
The woman's eyes narrowed, and she let out a bitter laugh. "Leave? Do you have any idea who I am?" she sneered. "I'm **Vivian Darlington**, of the Darlington family. And you," she pointed at the manager, "are nothing compared to me."
The mention of the Darlington family sent a ripple of fear through the crowd. The Darlingtons were notorious in Aquaria—one of the most ruthless high-class families with a reputation for getting what they wanted, no matter the cost. They were feared even among other high-class families, known for their cruel tactics and powerful connections.
The crowd quickly dispersed, not wanting to get involved in anything that could bring the wrath of the Darlington family upon them. The manager, now pale and trembling, took a step back, realizing he was in way over his head.
Vivian, satisfied that she had established her dominance, turned back to her bodyguards. "Tie them up," she ordered, her voice cold. "We're taking them with us."
Selena, Lily, and Neomi could only watch in horror as the bodyguards advanced, ropes in hand. There was no one left to help them, no one who dared to stand up to Vivian Darlington. The situation had spiraled out of control, and it seemed there was no way out.
The chapter ends with Vivian's bodyguards closing in on Selena, Lily, and Neomi, the three women realizing the full extent of the danger they were in. Vivian's fury was unmatched, and the power of the Darlington family loomed large over them. As the bodyguards prepared to carry out Vivian's orders, the fate of the three women hung in the balance.