uckles on his bedroom door. He squinted at the clock on his nightstand. 6:30 a.m. His fa

e through the door, tense and urgen

trict routines. Early mornings were reserved for Edward's private workout, breakfast, and quiet cont

d. His mind was still foggy from the events of the previous night. Zar

y disheveled. Edward's salt-and-pepper hair was uncombed, his suit jacket hung awkwardly over his arm, and there were de

d, trying to keep his voice steady as

hair, then turned to face Nathaniel, his eyes sharp but troubled. "There's a problem

ad Zara's group already tried to make a move? He tried to ke

's been an attempt to access classified information from the system. It was

Zara to act so quickly-or perhaps she had an insider work

was?" Nathaniel asked

, and they're determined. We've tightened security, but I need you to be on high alert, Nathaniel. I know you haven't

erous. It was no surprise that someone was after it. But Zara hadn't revealed her true intentions

asured. "But why wake me up so early for this?

ht of his responsibilities was finally catching up to him. He

d. "She said there's been chatter-rumors in certain circles-about S.

ll-connected in the upper echelons of society. If she was hearing whispe

tarting to speculate about what we're really working on. They're asking questions-d

ngled situation. Zara's request for the blueprint had felt like an isolated threat, but now it

is leaking information?" Nathaniel

ble. We've been doing internal sweeps to make sure no one's comprom

ect Helix wasn't just another invention-it was revolutionary. And if someo

ooking out at the city skyline. "But you should know...if someone's co

smarter, stronger. We can't let them win, Nathaniel. We built this co

own secret plan hanging between them. "Don't worry, Dad

or. But just as he reached for the handle, he turned back

ward said quietly. "We're in the

softly behind him. The tension in the air remained, thick and

his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it

eet. Tonight.

s fro

his family, the company, and the dangerous forces closing in around him. But one thing was clear:

without losing him