Hundred and eighty-seven

No sooner had Arabella left than a loud boom echoed through the air. Though Thalia wasn't sure if it was an actual cannon, it sure sounded like one.

"Ah, darn!" she exclaimed, gasping and huddling against the wall. The cannon seemed to have targeted the building, affecting all the rooms. The meeting structure teetered on the verge of collapsing, with the pillars bending sideways.

"Are you okay?" Elisha asked, pulling her towards a corner.

"I am. How about you?" Thalia replied, scanning the area to see if others were in the same predicament.

"What's happening? And where is Bella?" she inquired.

"The attackers are here," Janice explained. "I overheard their conversation earlier, and I think my father spoke to her. It's why she left."

"Why would she do that? That's so foolish!" Thalia hissed.

"My father is sly, Thalia. I don't know what he must have said to Arabella, but he can kill anyone he wants if she disobeys. She probably left for everyone's safety," Janice reasoned.

"That doesn't