Clover followed closely behind Evelyn as they walked up the stairs.When they came to a stop, Clover stood on tiptoes and looked past the woman in front. A ray of light fell onto her cheeks like a comforting touch to her intimidated soul as Evelyn pushed open the ceiling.That was the exit and also the entrance to the hidden basement of the mansion. Poking her head out, Evelyn scanned the room, sweeping her glance across the piles of documents, the switched-on laptop, and the watercolor paintings adorning the marble wall. No one was in sight. She crawled out and reached back into the darkness for Clover's hand."Careful," Evelyn said. Clover joined her soon after. She darted her widened eyes around and paused at the hanging grandfather clock with the pendulum swaying at the bottom. The ticks were louder than usual; she couldn't help but be distracted. As her curious mind processed the surroundings like a buffering stream, Evelyn abruptly tore the maroon curtain, sending it cascading

The wind chime gently tinkled, and there sat Kyle, staring at the huge Amethyst Geode next to the 105-inch television. Its purple hues dazzled brilliantly. He flicked his gaze around. The walls were adorned with perfectly framed certificates, newspaper articles, and magazine covers featuring the nation's lawyer for everyone to admire.His uncle was indeed very successful."Oh my my my! Look who's here!" "Uncle Jack!" Kyle stood, reaching out for a warm hug."My boy!" He laughed, tightening his arms around him. "Life's good? I heard you just had your comeback not long ago."Kyle returned him an awkward smile and didn't say anything much. "What's wrong?" Jack asked, bending down slightly to meet his nephew's lowered gaze. "Want some drink?""My friend has gone missing, and I'm really worried." He sighed, his sentence trailing off with a rise in tone as he cast a doubtful look at his uncle. "WHAT?! MISSING?" Jack freaked out. Kyle arched his brows. Was he wrong about his uncle being

Sirens blared, cutting through the air, as Jack and his henchmen, hands cuffed, walked out of his mansion. The evening sun descended in a blaze of warm hues, casting a mesmerizing orangy glow that bathed the city in a soft, amber radiance. Was it to celebrate their victory? Well, perhaps it was. Pausing her steps in front of the entrance, Clover tilted her head and looked up at the sky. "It's finally a bright day." "I can finally live with myself now." Upon hearing that, Clover turned around, and the first thing that caught her eye was the sight of cuffs encircling Evelyn's hands. A relieved smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I've surrendered to the police. This is what I owe you, Clover. I don't seek your forgiveness, but I hope you won't hate my child. I can tell that he cares a lot about you," Evelyn said, darting her eyes from Clover to Kyle at the back and back to Clover again. Clover tried speaking, but words couldn