The limousine carrying Snow and her "Dwarves" glided through the pre-dawn streets of Abidjan. Inside, the initial weariness that had settled over Snow after the gala was slowly giving way to a restless anxiety. The magic of the "Winter Wonderland" felt distant, replaced by the lingering chill of Ravenna's threats and the unsettling memory of Alex's possessive gaze. She tried to tell herself Andreas's protection was enough, but the fear was a persistent hum beneath her skin.
Unbeknownst to them, the unmarked car driven by Kane, Alex's ruthless security chief, maintained a steady, almost imperceptible distance. Kane was a ghost, a master of surveillance, blending seamlessly into the city's quiet, early morning rhythms. He had followed them from the Charm Global Tower, his eyes fixed on their vehicle, his earpiece delivering a constant stream of information to Alex.
"They're heading to the EdenTech building, sir," Kane murmured into his discreet mic. "Looks like they're staying there for the night."
Alex, back in his penthouse, a half-empty glass of whiskey beside him, smirked. "Good. Keep me updated. Every detail. Especially if Andreas shows up." He savored the thought. Let his brother play the hero. Alex would play the long game.
As the limo pulled up to the quaint, red-brick building of EdenTech, Snow felt a familiar sense of relief. Her office, her sanctuary, offered a comforting familiarity. "Thank you all," she said to her Dwarves, a faint smile touching her lips. "I think I'll just… stay here tonight. Get some work done."
The Dwarves, sensing her need for solitude but still buzzing from the night's events, bid her goodnight, promising to check in first thing in the morning. As they left, their chatter faded, and Snow was enveloped in the quiet hum of her laboratory. She kicked off her heels, the silver gown a shimmering puddle on the floor, and changed into comfortable sweats. She just needed to be in her element, surrounded by her work, to quiet the storm in her mind.
Outside, Kane settled into a shadowed parking spot, his gaze fixed on the building. The city lights began to dim as the first hints of dawn painted the sky.
Hours passed. Snow, surrounded by her monitors, eventually succumbed to exhaustion, dozing off at her desk.
Kane, bored but vigilant, occasionally adjusted his surveillance equipment. His eyes swept over the quiet street, the darkened storefronts. Then, something caught his attention. A figure, cloaked in shadow, emerged from a side alley, moving with a stealth that was practiced, almost predatory. The figure carried a small, nondescript bag.
Kane's eyes narrowed. This wasn't Andreas. This wasn't the regular security detail. This was something else. He zoomed in his camera, adjusting for the low light. The figure approached the back entrance of EdenTech, where a service alley allowed access to a less-used fire escape. With surprising agility, the figure began to ascend, moving silently, expertly.
A cold dread seeped into Kane. This wasn't a casual visitor. This was a break-in. And as the figure reached Snow's floor, pulling out a set of lock-picking tools, Kane felt a chilling certainty about their target.
He immediately called Alex. "Sir," Kane's voice was tight with urgency. "We have a situation. Unidentified individual attempting to gain entry into Ms. White's office. Looks like a professional. At the back fire escape."
A thrill of surprise, then a wicked amusement, filled Alex's voice. "Unidentified? Interesting. Keep me updated, Kane. Don't interfere unless absolutely necessary. I want to see how this plays out."
Kane grunted, his eyes fixed on the figure. He pulled out a pair of high-powered binoculars. As the figure finally picked the lock and slipped inside, a faint gleam from a hidden camera caught Kane's attention. He zoomed in, recognizing the sophisticated, almost military-grade lens attached to the figure's lapel. This wasn't just a break-in. This was an information grab.
And as the figure disappeared into Snow's office, Kane got a brief, horrifying glimpse of their face. It was female, strikingly familiar. He quickly snapped a photo, his heart thumping in his chest. This was far more complicated than he had anticipated.