We knew we had to act fast. The more we delayed, the more chance Ted had to succeed in his plans. We decided to confront him directly, to try and stop him before it was too late.
As we arrived at the Heartstone Building, I could feel the tension building inside me. This was it – the moment of truth. We were going to face Ted, and I had no idea what to expect.
We took the elevator to the top floor, where Ted's office was located. The doors slid open, and we stepped out into the luxurious reception area. Ted's assistant looked up, a mixture of surprise and concern on her face.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
"We need to see Ted," Ethan said, his voice firm. "It's urgent."
The assistant nodded, picking up the phone. "Let me check if he's available."
A moment later, she looked up. "He'll see you now."
We walked into Ted's office, and I felt a sense of déjà vu. This was where it had all started, where I had first suspected that something was off.
Ted looked up from his desk, a smile spreading across his face. "Kate, darling," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I see you're still mixed up with this...this...whatever he is."
Ethan stepped forward, his eyes locked on Ted. "We're here to stop you, Ted," he said. "We know what you're planning, and we won't let it happen."
Ted's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "You don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice cold. "You're just a couple of meddling fools."
I felt a surge of anger at his words, but Ethan's calm demeanor kept me grounded. "We know about the portal," he said. "We know about Eclipse Enterprises. And we're not going to let you use the power of another dimension for your own gain."
Ted's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I used to know. But it was quickly replaced by a calculating gaze. "You're too late," he said. "The portal is already open. And nothing can stop it now."
As he spoke, the room began to shake, and a low hum filled the air. I felt a sense of dread creeping over me. We were running out of time.