Next Morning Grand Family Mansion, Dining Room
The morning sunlight poured in through the tall windows, golden and warm.
But despite the beautiful morning, Annie Grand sat quietly at the dining table, barely touching her breakfast.
Across from her, Parker Grand frowned slightly, concerned deep in his eyes.
He hated seeing his daughter like this so weighed down.
At the far end, Alexa Grand was elegant and graceful even in a simple white robe buttered with a croissant, her sharp eyes glancing at Annie from time to time.
Finally, Parker set his coffee cup down with a decisive click.
"Annie," he said gently.
She looked up from her untouched food.
"I think you need a break,Parker said. A real one."
Alexa smiled warmly, as if she already knew what he was about to say.
"You and your mom are going out today," Parker continued.
Shopping. Spa. Lunch. As much as you want.
Alexa nodded, reaching over to squeeze Annie's hand.
"Just the two of us," Alexa said. "Mother and daughter day. No guards breathing down your neck. No bad memories."
Annie hesitated.
"I don't know if I
No arguments, Parker interrupted firmly, but with a small smile.
"I want you to be happy, even if just for today. Spend whatever you want. A million. Ten million. I don't care."
Annie couldn't help a tiny laugh.
It was the first genuine smile Parker had seen on her face in days.
Chris, munching cereal, piped up from the other side.
"Buy me a car while you're at it!" he teased.
Alexa chuckled.
"I'll bring you back socks," she said, making Chris groan.
Parker stood up, ruffling Annie's hair affectionately.
"You deserve a perfect day," he said. "Let your mom spoil you."
Annie nodded, feeling the warmth of her family wrap around her even if the fear hadn't fully disappeared from her heart.
Maybe a day out was exactly what she needed.
Meanwhile Somewhere Hidden in the Mansion:
In a dim room lined with security monitors, Miles tapped quickly on a keyboard.
Lines of code ran down the screen as he restored what the strangers had tried to delete.
And finally the image came back.
Two masked figures inside the house.
A man and a woman.
Moving fast.
Heading toward Annie's room.
But there just in the corner of the frame someone else briefly appeared.
Someone who shouldn't have been near Annie's hallway at that time.
Not a stranger.
Someone who lived inside the mansion.
Miles leaned forward, his stomach twisting.
He picked up his phone and called Parker.
"Sir," he said quietly, "when you're free, you're going to want to see what I found."
Late Morning Downtown Shopping District
The city was alive with colourful high-end boutiques glittered under the sun, luxury cars lined the streets, and the scent of fresh pastries floated from the cafes.
Annie Grand stepped out of the black SUV with her mother, Alexa Grand, both of them dressed stylishly but casually, trying not to attract too much attention.
Security guards disguised as plain shoppers lingered at a respectful distance.
But today was meant to feel normal.
Carefree.
"First stop: Roselle's Boutique," Alexa announced, looping her arm through Annie's.
Annie smiled and let herself be pulled along.
She hadn't been downtown in months.
Inside the boutique, floor-length mirrors reflected endless rows of silk dresses, sparkling heels, and glittering jewelry.
Alexa whisked Annie from rack to rack, laughing as she held up dramatic ball gowns, outrageous hats, and towering stilettos.
Annie laughed too real laughter, light and girlish.
For a while, it worked.
She almost forgot about the strange night.
Almost.
But as she twirled in front of the mirror in a gorgeous navy dress, a chill crept up her spine.
She froze, her eyes locking on her own reflection
but not really her.
Behind her through the glass she thought she saw a shadow.
Just for a second.
When she spun around, there was no one there.
Only a row of mannequins and a sales assistant folding clothes.
Annie shook herself and pasted on a smile as Alexa clapped her hands in approval.
"You look like royalty!" Alexa said proudly.
Annie nodded, laughing it off.
"Just tired," she muttered when Alexa asked what was wrong.
But inside, a whisper of fear stirred again.
After hours of shopping, ten shopping bags between them already Annie and Alexa sat outside at a small sunny cafe sipping lemonades.
You're quiet,Alexa said softly.
Annie shrugged. Just thinking.
About the party?Alexa asked gently. Or what happened?
Annie hesitated.
She didn't want to ruin this day.
Didn't want to worry her mother.
"I'm fine," she lied.
Alexa smiled warmly and reached across the table to squeeze her hand.
"No matter what happens, we'll protect you, Annie," she said.
"Always."
Annie squeezed back, feeling a little steadier.
Still
From the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a black car parked across the street just sitting there.
Engine humming.
Windows tinted too dark.
When she looked again, it was gone.
Maybe it was never really there.
Meanwhile At the Mansion
Back home, Miles was studying the CCTV footage frame by frame.
He didn't notice Uncle Scott standing in the doorway behind him, watching silently for a long, long moment before slipping away unseen.
Evening Grand Mansion, Dining Room
The long dining table was unusually quiet that evening.
Plates clinked softly, but no one spoke much.
Only the low crackle of the fireplace filled the room.
Annie Grand sat picking at her food, her shoulders tense.
Across from her, Chris tapped his fork lightly against his glass, swinging his legs under the table.
Parker Grand watched his children closely, especially Annie.
Despite the shopping trip and Alexa's efforts, fear still lingered in Annie's eye and it tore at his heart.
Without saying a word, Parker leaned back in his chair and caught the eye of Miles, who stood quietly by the entrance.
A small nod.
A silent order.
Miles understood immediately.
Tonight, extra guards would be stationed in secret
one outside Annie's room,
one outside Chris's,
and another in the hall, hidden in the shadows.
No one would get near his children again.
Not while he was alive.
Parker smiled faintly across the table, trying to put Annie at ease.
But deep inside, his mind was already sharpening into steel.
Whatever threat was lurking
they would be ready.