Sara walked out of the SkyTech Tower earlier than usual. She needed fresh air — her mind was in chaos.
Clara is perfect. Reliable. Steady.So why did Sara suddenly feel… uneasy?
Her instincts whispered something was wrong. Something hidden.
She stepped toward her car in the dimly lit parking lot. Just as she reached for the door handle—
Click.
A shadow shifted behind another vehicle.
Sara froze.
Her pulse spiked. She couldn't see anyone — yet she felt eyes watching her.
Her phone buzzed.
Daniel:Don't get in the car. Step back. Slowly.
She swallowed hard and obeyed.
Leo's voice crackled through Sara's earpiece — he must've patched into her Bluetooth."Motion sensors picked up unusual heat signatures near your car. Someone's there."
Sara tried to keep her voice steady. "Am I being followed?"
Daniel's reply was controlled, but tight.
"We've been monitoring Clara. She left the office before you. And now someone's tampered with your car."
Sara's breath hitched. "Clara wouldn't—"
Before she could finish—
A loud SNAP!
Sara gasped as a thin wire — stretched between her tires — snapped loose and whipped across the ground.
A makeshift tripwire.
Had she gotten into the car… or even walked forward…
She would've fallen — directly under the back wheel of a slowly rolling maintenance van that was creeping behind her without headlights.
Sara stumbled back, realizing—
It wasn't an accident.It was staged.A warning.
Suddenly, Daniel appeared — gripping her arm, pulling her safely behind him.
"Carina, get her inside!" he barked.
Leo's car screeched to a halt nearby. He jumped out, scanning the shadows with a tactical flashlight.
But whoever had set the trap… was gone.
Meanwhile — Across the Street
Clara stood near a streetlight, watching from a distance.
Her expression unreadable.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Sender:
"Did the message reach her?"
Clara typed back with calm fingers.
"Yes. Loud and clear."
But this time — after sending the message — her hand trembled.