The tension in the air was suffocating. Amelia and Lucas sat in the dimly lit study, the weight of Liam Carter's cryptic warning pressing down on them. The words "Trust no one. The traitor is closer than you think" echoed in Amelia's mind like a haunting melody.
"We're being watched," Lucas said, breaking the silence. He paced back and forth, his jaw clenched in frustration. "Liam was killed because he knew too much. Whoever's behind this doesn't want us getting closer to the truth."
Amelia nodded, her determination hardening. "Then we need to draw them out. We can't keep waiting for them to strike. It's time we set a trap."
Lucas frowned. "It's risky, Amelia. If we make the wrong move, we could end up in Liam's position."
Amelia leaned forward, her eyes blazing with resolve. "We don't have a choice, Lucas. If we don't act now, they'll keep coming after us and the twins."
Lucas sighed, knowing she was right. "Fine. But we need to be smart about this. They're watching us, which means they'll be expecting a trap. We need to make it convincing."
After hours of brainstorming, they devised a plan. Amelia would stage a public announcement about a fake lead she had discovered. The idea was to lure the enemy into believing she was close to uncovering the truth. Meanwhile, Lucas and a trusted team would monitor the situation from the shadows, ready to catch anyone who made a move.
The next morning, Amelia held a press conference outside the estate. Journalists and onlookers gathered, eager to hear what she had to say. Amelia stood at the podium, her face composed but her heart racing.
"Thank you all for coming," she began, her voice steady. "Recent events have brought to light certain truths about my family's past. I've uncovered a crucial lead that I believe will expose the ones responsible for the chaos we've endured."
The crowd murmured, cameras flashing as Amelia continued.
"I'll be reviewing these findings in detail tomorrow evening at a private meeting with my legal team," she said, her tone deliberate. "I believe this will be the breakthrough we've been waiting for."
Lucas watched from a distance, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd for any suspicious movements. He knew their enemies were listening, and the bait had been laid.
That night, the estate was unusually quiet. Amelia sat in the study, pretending to review documents. Lucas and his team monitored the surveillance feeds, watching every corner of the property.
"I've got movement," one of Lucas's men said through the earpiece. "Northwest perimeter. Looks like a single figure."
"Stay sharp," Lucas ordered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
The figure moved stealthily through the shadows, heading toward the study where Amelia was stationed. Lucas's heart pounded as he watched the intruder's every move.
Amelia heard the faint creak of a floorboard outside the study door. Her pulse quickened, but she maintained her composure. She knew this moment was coming.
The door creaked open, and a masked figure stepped inside, their movements deliberate and silent.
"You shouldn't have made that announcement," the intruder said, their voice distorted by a voice modulator.
Amelia stood, facing them. "And you shouldn't have underestimated me."
Before the intruder could react, Lucas burst into the room, his gun aimed at the masked figure. "Drop your weapon!"
The intruder hesitated for a split second before making a sudden move. Lucas fired a warning shot, and the figure froze.
"Who sent you?" Lucas demanded, his voice cold and commanding.
The intruder didn't respond, their eyes darting toward the window. Lucas took a step closer, his finger hovering over the trigger.
"Answer me!"
But before Lucas could get any answers, a smoke bomb rolled into the room, filling the space with thick, choking clouds.
Amelia coughed, her vision blurred as she tried to navigate through the smoke. She felt a strong hand grab her arm and pull her toward the window.
"Lucas!" she cried, struggling against the grip.
When the smoke cleared, the masked figure was gone. Lucas staggered into the room, his face etched with frustration.
"They escaped," he said, his voice heavy with anger.
Amelia looked down and noticed something on the floor a small, folded note left behind by the intruder. She picked it up, her hands trembling as she read the message:
"The truth will destroy you more than any lie ever could. Are you ready to face it?"
Amelia's blood ran cold as she handed the note to Lucas.
"This isn't over," she said, her voice a mix of fear and determination. "They're not just hiding they're taunting us. And I'm going to find out why."