My hands were trembling as I held the phone. That text... it felt like a trap, but I didn't have a choice. If there was even the slightest chance it could lead me to Hannah, I had to go.
The cab ride to Hotel Sapphire felt endless, the neon lights outside blurring into streaks. My heart pounded as the driver pulled up to the entrance. I hesitated before stepping out, staring up at the towering building. The air was heavy, and my instincts screamed at me to turn back, but I couldn't.
I needed answers.
Room 501. That's what the text said.
The hallway was dimly lit, the kind of place that made you feel like you were being watched. I swallowed hard as I reached the door. My hand hovered over the doorknob before I finally pushed it open.
The room was dark except for a single lamp on the bedside table. A man stood by the window, his face hidden in shadows.
"Close the door," he said, his voice cold and detached.
I obeyed, my fingers tightening around my bag strap. "Who are you? What do you want from me?"
He turned slowly, stepping into the light. He was middle-aged, with sharp features and eyes that felt like they could see through you.
"You're Sophie Reed," he said, more as a statement than a question.
My stomach dropped.
"Where's my sister?" I demanded, trying to sound braver than I felt.
He smirked, taking a step closer. "You're in no position to make demands. But I'll tell you this—your sister is alive. For now."
I clenched my fists. "If you've hurt her... "
"Relax," he cut me off. "Hannah's fine. But if you want her to stay that way, you're going to have to listen carefully."
I glared at him, my pulse racing. "What do you want?"
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small envelope, tossing it onto the bed. "This is your first task. Deliver this to Damien Steele. No questions, no excuses."
I stared at the envelope like it might explode. "Why should I trust you? How do I know you're not lying about Hannah?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You don't. But if you care about your sister, you'll do as you're told."
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "What's in the envelope?"
"Like I said," he replied, his smirk widening, "no questions."
I hated him. Hated how powerless I felt. But Hannah's face flashed in my mind, and I knew I didn't have a choice.
"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "I'll do it."
"Smart girl," he said, stepping back toward the window. "Oh, and Sophie? Don't even think about going to Damien for help. If you do, your sister's blood will be on your hands."
His words sent a chill down my spine. Before I could respond, he slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with the envelope and a sinking feeling that I'd just made a deal with the devil.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the envelope. Whatever was inside, it felt like the beginning of something dangerous—something that could destroy everything.
For Hannah, I told myself. For her, I'd do anything.
Got it! Let's adjust the chapter accordingly to keep the mystery intact and add an element of danger to the paper's content
My fingers shook as I ripped open the envelope. Whatever was inside, I had a gut feeling it wasn't good. I unfolded the paper, the weight of it almost crushing me before I even read the words.
It was a document—an official-looking one with Damien Steele's name plastered at the top. My eyes darted to the bolded title:
"Confidential Agreement of Indemnity: Steele Corporation."
I didn't know what half of the terms meant, but one line stood out, underlined in red:
"In the event of public exposure, Steele Corporation will be held liable for illegal offshore accounts totaling $2.5 billion."
My heart dropped. Offshore accounts? Illegal? This wasn't just some company secret—this was something that could ruin Damien. The media would have a field day, and the authorities...
I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. Who sent this? Why me?
Before I could think too much, my phone buzzed again. A blocked number. I hesitated but finally picked up.
A voice, low and disguised, came through the line.
"Deliver the document to Damien Steele. Make sure he knows you have it. If you don't... your sister pays the price."
I froze. "Who is this? What do you want with me?"
The line went dead.
I stared at the paper in my hands, my vision blurring with unshed tears. What was I supposed to do? If I gave this to Damien, would he believe me? Or would he think I was somehow involved in this mess?
And what if I didn't give it to him?
My thoughts spiraled back to Hannah. Her face, her laugh. The way she always said I was the strong one. I clenched my fists.
No. I couldn't let anything happen to her.
The cab ride home felt like it took hours. I couldn't stop replaying the voice on the phone, the cold threat that made my blood run cold. My mind raced with questions I didn't have answers to.
Who was behind this? And why were they targeting Damien—and me?
By the time I reached my apartment, I felt like I'd been running a marathon. I locked the door behind me and dropped the envelope onto the table like it was a live grenade.
I sat down, staring at the paper. I could almost hear Damien's voice in my head, cold and cutting: "Stay out of my business, Sophie."
But this wasn't just about business. This was dangerous, and if it got out, it wouldn't just destroy Damien—it could destroy me, too.
My hands trembled as I reached for my phone. Should I call him? Tell him what I had?
But what if he didn't believe me? What if he thought I was trying to blackmail him?
I buried my face in my hands, a sob escaping my throat. This wasn't fair. None of this was fair.
I had no choice. I had to give him the document. But I'd make sure he understood one thing: I wasn't his enemy.
Even if he didn't believe me.
I clenched the paper tighter, anger boiling in my chest. This man had kidnapped my sister, destroyed my life, and thrown me away like I was nothing. Now, he was getting married to Cassandra Laine? After all his lies and promises?
And yet, here I was with something that could bring him to his knees.
I wiped the tears from my face and took a deep breath. If Damien thought he could toss me aside, he was wrong. I wasn't the weak little girl he imagined.
I'd use this secret. Not for revenge—at least not yet. But for Hannah.
---
I sat in front of my laptop, fingers hovering over the keyboard. I wasn't stupid. Damien had connections everywhere. If I played this wrong, I'd lose the only leverage I had.
The spy hadn't left any clues about who they were or why they wanted me involved. But they'd given me something powerful, and I wasn't about to waste it.
I opened a new email draft and typed his name in the recipient box.
Subject: We Need to Talk
Damien,
You have something I want. And now, I have something you'd do anything to keep hidden.
If you want to save your precious reputation, meet me tomorrow at 7 PM. Same café where you broke me.
Come alone.
Sophie
I hit send before I could second-guess myself.