chapter542

Layla couldn't remain a silent observer as the tension escalated. She stepped forward, attempting to shield Fenna from the fallout. "Nate, you're being too harsh. Fenna was only—"

Nathan’s sharp gaze cut her off instantly. "Layla, stay out of this," he commanded, his voice vibrating with a low, dangerous edge. Startled by the sheer coldness in his tone, Layla’s defense trailed off into a nervous silence.

Nathan didn't waste another second. He strode out the front door, where Cole was already standing by the car, engine idling.

"General Morrison, good morning," Cole greeted, noting the grim set of Nathan’s jaw.

Nathan scanned the driveway. "Where is my wife?"

"Mrs. Morrison and Phoebe left just a few moments ago, sir."

"Follow them," Nathan ordered, sliding into the back seat. As Cole pulled out onto the main road, he couldn't help but ask, "Is something wrong, General?"

"She hacked into the surveillance system of the Dreamshift Beauty Salon to investigate Fenna," Nathan replied, his eyes fixed on the GPS tracker.

"Is there something specific she’s looking for?"

"That isn't the point," Nathan said urgently. "She’s found a thread and she’s pulling on it. My fear is that she’ll end up exactly where Fenna did last time—caught in a hornet's nest she isn't prepared for. If she compromises the operation, I can build a new plan, but I can't replace her."

An hour later, Phoebe’s car eased into the dim, concrete expanse of the Dreamshift Beauty Salon’s underground parking lot. She killed the engine and unbuckled her seatbelt, looking back at Mila. "We’re here. Do we head inside?"

Mila didn't move. She was staring at her tablet, her brow furrowed in concentration. "No," she said thoughtfully. "We stay in the car."

"We drove all this way just to sit in the dark?"

Mila turned the tablet so Phoebe could see the screen. It displayed the salon’s legal registration. The name listed as the primary representative was Avery—a name that immediately sent a chill through the car.

"Avery?" Phoebe whispered, recalling their last volatile encounter with the woman. "She hasn't forgotten what we did to her. If she catches us here, she won't just ask us to leave."

"I've been analyzing the footage," Mila explained. "Fenna’s presence here was clearly a calculated move on Nathan’s orders, but the salon itself is a front. Now that I’ve seen the Hoffis connection in the paperwork, I’m certain this place is a hub for something much darker than skincare."

"I’m not afraid of a little reconnaissance," Phoebe suggested, her hand on the door handle. "I could go in as a customer and see what they’re hiding in the back rooms."

Mila hesitated. She thought of Fenna’s previous abduction and the professional level of security they were likely up against. "It’s too risky. We’ve already drawn enough attention to ourselves. Let’s head back and brief Nathan."

Phoebe reluctantly buckled back in and shifted the car into reverse. But as she looked into the rearview mirror, her heart sank. A dark SUV had pulled up behind them, blocking their exit.

In front of them, another vehicle swerved into their path. Several imposing men stepped out, carrying heavy reinforcements and moving with a coordinated, military precision.

"Mila, we’re trapped," Phoebe said, her grip tightening on the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.

They had been under surveillance from the moment they entered the lot. These weren't mere security guards; these were professionals who meant business. Dozens of men now surrounded the car, closing the circle.

"What do we do?" Phoebe asked, her eyes darting between the armed figures approaching the windows. "There are too many of them, Mila. I can't fight our way out of this one."

Mila grabbed her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she kept her eyes on the men closing in. "We've walked right into the lion's den, Phoebe. Now we see if Nathan’s backup is as fast as he claims."