Sarah froze, every muscle tensing as she met Victor’s cold, calculating stare. His presence sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to stand tall, hiding any trace of fear.
“Victor,” she said calmly, keeping her voice steady. “I didn’t expect you here. Bennett must be getting desperate if he’s sending you to do his dirty work.”
Victor chuckled, a dark gleam in his eyes. “Desperate? No, just thorough. Bennett has little patience for people who meddle where they don’t belong.” He took a step toward her, his eyes narrowing. “And you, Sarah, have been meddling far too much.”
Sarah kept her gaze fixed on him, refusing to back down. “Funny, I’d say I’m right where I belong. Just like Elizabeth was, before you forced her to run.”
Victor’s jaw tightened, the mocking glint in his eyes hardening. “Elizabeth underestimated us. Just as you are now.” He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it up for her to see. It was a photograph—the same one she’d found in the safe, showing Elizabeth with the unknown man.
“Seems you’re as sentimental as she was,” Victor sneered, tucking the photo back into his pocket. “And you’ve become a problem that needs handling.”
Before Sarah could respond, Victor lunged. Instinct kicked in, and she sidestepped, narrowly avoiding his grip. She darted down the alley, her feet pounding the pavement as Victor’s footsteps thundered close behind. Adrenaline surged through her as she weaved through the maze of alleyways, her breath coming in sharp gasps.
Just when she thought she’d lost him, Victor’s voice echoed from behind. “You can run, but you can’t hide forever, Sarah!”
Refusing to slow down, she spotted a fire escape ladder on a nearby building and scrambled up, pulling herself onto the rooftop. From her elevated vantage point, she could see Victor pacing below, his frustration evident. She crouched low, watching as he scanned the area, his face twisted in anger.
As Victor turned away, barking orders into his radio, Sarah took a shaky breath, allowing herself a moment of relief. She knew she’d only bought herself a small window of safety. Clutching her bag tightly, she realized that her mission was no longer just about Elizabeth—it was now a race to expose Bennett’s crimes before he destroyed anyone else in his path.