The glow of early dawn seeped through the slats of the blinds of Brookhaven, but she didn't notice. The digital clock on the wall blinked 4:13 AM, its soft red digits the only light in the room.
Amanda sat, eyes bloodshot but fierce, fingers flying across the keyboard. One by one, she uploaded the files—the photos of forged documents, the sealed hospital records, the hidden security logs—onto encrypted channels linked to investigative journalists and human rights groups. Every byte was a weapon against the Connors' carefully constructed empire of silence.
Outside, the city began to stir. But Amanda's world was shrinking, the only sound the low hum of her phone.
Suddenly, the door crashed open.
"Enough." The voice was cold, commanding.
Two broad-shouldered men in dark suits stepped inside, blocking the pale morning light. Before Amanda could react, strong hands grabbed her arms, yanking her to her feet. Panic flared, but she fought to stay calm.
"You shouldn't have done this," one said, pulling a black bag from his coat.
Fear prickled Amanda's skin. The room spun as a cloth was pressed over her mouth and nose. Darkness swallowed her whole.
—
When Amanda awoke, harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead. She was bound to a chair in a stark, windowless room, the cold metal biting through her clothes. The silence was suffocating—until footsteps echoed down the corridor.
The door creaked open.
Gregory Connor stepped inside, his expression a mix of rage and cold calculation. Behind him stood Mildred, eyes sharp as knives.
"So, Ms. Wynn," Gregory began, voice low and venomous. "You thought you could burn us down with your little revelations?"
Amanda met his gaze, defiance burning despite the fear. "The truth will come out. You can't cage it forever."
Mildred's lips curled into a cruel smile. "We'll see about that."
Gregory paced slowly, savoring the moment. "You're a threat to our family, our legacy. But threats can be managed. You'll disappear, and no one will remember your name."
Amanda swallowed hard, searching for any hint of mercy. None came.
"Tell me," Gregory said, leaning in, "did you really believe your 'allies' could protect you?"
The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Amanda alone with the echoes of their threats—and a fire still burning within her.
Outside, unknown eyes watched and waited. The war for truth had only just begun.