The footsteps grew louder, echoing off the walls as they approached. Daniela's heart was racing, her mind frozen in fear. And then, just as the footsteps stopped right behind them, a voice spoke up. "Ah, Alexander," the voice said. "I see you've found Daniela. "Daniela turned to see Mr. Cruz standing behind them, a smile spreading across his face. But it wasn't just any smile. It was a smile that sent shivers down Daniela's spine." Mr. Cruz," Alexander said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you." Mr. Cruz chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm sure you have, Alexander," he said. "After all, you've been playing right into my hands. "Daniela's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with confusion. What did Mr. Cruz mean? And then, just as she was about to ask, Mr. Cruz dropped a bombshell. "You see, Daniela," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been playing a little game with Alexander here. A game of cat and mouse. "Daniela's eyes widened, her mind reeling with shock. "What do you mean?" she asked. Mr. Cruz chuckled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I mean that Alexander here has been working for me all along," he said. "He's been helping me to get to you, Daniela. "Daniela's eyes snapped to Alexander's face, her mind racing with anger and betrayal. "You lied to me," she spat. Alexander's smile faltered, and for a moment, Daniela saw a glimmer of guilt in his eyes. But then, his face hardened again, and he sneered at her. "You're just a pawn in a much bigger game, Daniela," he said. "And pawns are meant to be sacrificed. "Daniela's heart was racing, her mind frozen in fear. What did Alexander mean? And then, just as she was about to ask, Mr. Cruz spoke up again. "It's time for the final act, Daniela," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Are you ready to play your part?"Daniela's eyes widened, her mind reeling with fear. What did Mr. Cruz have planned for her? "I'll never play along with your twisted games," Daniela spat, trying to sound braver than she felt. Mr. Cruz chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you will," he said. "You see, Daniela, I have something that belongs to you. Something that you want very badly". Daniela's heart skipped a beat as she realized what Mr. Cruz was talking about. "My mother's research," she whispered. Mr. Cruz smiled, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Exactly, darling, Mrs. Regina research," he said. "And if you want to see it again, you'll do exactly as I say. "Daniela's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with anger and determination. She would never give in to Mr. Cruz's demands. Never. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her blood run cold. Something that made her wonder if she had underestimated Mr. Cruz all along...Daniela knew she had to get out of there, and fast. She couldn't let Mr. Cruz use her mother's research against her. She made a split-second decision and dashed to the side, using her agility to evade Mr. Cruz's security guards. She ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to find Diana and get to the bottom of Alexander's mysterious words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Daniela saw Diana's car parked outside. She yanked open the door and jumped in, gasping for breath. "Diana, I need to ask you something," Daniela said, her eyes locked on Diana's. Diana's expression was guarded, but Daniela could see a flicker of fear in her eyes. "What is it, Daniela?" Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's about what Alexander said in the room," Daniela said, her voice firm. "What did he mean about Emily?" Diana's eyes went wide, and she looked like she'd been punched in the gut. "How did he...?" Diana whispered, her voice trailing off. Daniela's eyes narrowed. "What's going on, Diana? What secret are you hiding from me?" Diana's face contorted in a mixture of pain and fear. "I...I didn't want to hurt you, Daniela," she said, her voice cracking. And then, just as Diana was about to reveal the truth, a loud crash echoed through the air. The car's rear window shattered, and a piece of paper fluttered in. Daniela's eyes widened as she picked up the paper and read the message scrawled on it: "You'll never forgive Diana for what she did to Emily." Daniela's eyes snapped up to Diana's face, and she felt a chill run down her spine. What had Diana done? What secret had she been hiding all along? The truth was about to come out, and Daniela was not prepared for the shocking revelation that was about to change everything...Daniela's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with anger and betrayal. "And what happened to Emily?" she asked, her voice firm. Diana's eyes welled up with tears, and she looked away, unable to meet Daniela's gaze. "She...she left the lab," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "She was devastated by what I did, and she couldn't forgive me. "Daniela's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the implications. "And where is she now?" she asked, her voice firm. Diana's face contorted in a mixture of pain and guilt. "I...I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I heard rumors that she's working for Scarlett Winters." Daniela's eyes snapped up, her mind racing with surprise. Scarlett Winters was Diana's arch-nemesis, a rival scientist who would stop at nothing to sabotage Diana's work. "What?" Daniela asked. "Why would Emily work for Scarlett?" Diana's face contorted in a mixture of pain and guilt. "Because Scarlett promised to help Emily take me down," she said. "Emily wants revenge for what I did to her, and Scarlett is happy to help her get it." Daniela's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications. This was getting more complicated by the minute. And then, just as Daniela was about to ask another question, her phone buzzed with an incoming text message. It was from an unknown number. "Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight," the message read. "Come alone." Daniela's heart skipped a beat as she read the message. Who was sending her mysterious texts? And what did they want from her? She looked up at Diana, her eyes narrowing. "I have to go," she said, her voice firm. Diana's face contorted in a mixture of pain and guilt. "Daniela, wait..." she said. But Daniela was already gone, her mind racing with questions and her heart pounding with anticipation. What would happen at the old warehouse at midnight? And who was behind these specific mysterious text messages?The suspense was killing her...