C480 Dangerous Reality

We all got out of our cars and walked toward the Gomez villa. The atmosphere around the house was heavy. Nobody spoke as we entered. We had come together, but none of us knew what to say. Bright was standing inside the living room. The moment he saw Laura, he walked toward her and pulled her into his arms. “Wife, what happened?” Laura didn't answer. She remained in his arms for a while, her face buried against his chest. Bright held her tightly. Everyone else stood quietly around them. Finally, Laura spoke. “Hanna killed my father.” The words seemed to freeze the entire room. Bright closed his eyes. Alicia slowly stepped forward. “Mr. Gomez. Mrs. Gomez. We are Laura's friends. We came to pay our respects.” Godness immediately stood up. “Come in, everyone. Please.” We followed her into the house. For the next few hours, we stayed at the Gomez villa and listened as the family discussed the funeral arrangements. There was sadness everywhere. People came and went. Phone calls were made. Plans were discussed.

But beneath everything was the same question that none of us could escape. Why had Hanna killed Josh? We already knew the answer. She had wanted information from Laura. Laura had refused. And Hanna had decided to make an example out of her father. Eventually, the Lions left the Gomez villa. Nobody felt like talking on the way home. When we arrived home, everyone was surprised. Mary immediately looked toward us. “You didn't go?” I shook my head. “Laura just lost her father. We couldn't leave her behind.” Mary nodded. “She needs you now.” Mark had been sitting quietly. He looked at us. “I was at the scene.” We all turned toward him. “People there said Josh had no enemies,” Mark continued. “Could this be related to us?” Alicia nodded. “Yes, Father.” She paused. “Hanna killed him.” Everyone froze. Mark's expression hardened. “So she really did it.” “Yes.” Alicia looked around the room. “It seems like Hanna is coming after everyone we love.” She stood up. “From now on, everyone must remain inside the villa unless absolutely necessary.” I nodded. “We've already informed the other families. For the time being, nobody is to leave alone. We need to increase security around all the houses.”

Peter nodded. “Understood.” Quinton frowned. “So Laura's father was murdered by Hanna for information he didn't even have?” I nodded. “Yes, Father.” I looked around the room. “And that makes finding Hanna even more important.” Nobody interrupted me. “She is becoming more dangerous with every move she makes. If she is willing to kill innocent people just to get information about us, then we have to find her before she reaches someone else.” Mark nodded slowly. “We can't keep waiting for her next move.” Alicia looked at him. “No. We can't.” Across town, Kelvin was anxiously waiting at the Wood residence. He kept looking toward the driveway. “Where are Sarah and Samantha?” Ben walked toward the window. “Their cars have just arrived.” A few moments later, Sarah and Samantha entered the house. Kelvin immediately walked toward Sarah and hugged her. “Sarah, my child. What is happening?” Sarah tried to answer, but Kelvin continued before she could speak. “The incident today… The police are investigating it because it happened at Wood IT. Tell us what really happened.”

Sarah looked around the room. “Where is Tristan?” Tracy answered. “He's with Valeria.” Sarah nodded. She slowly sat down. “Mom. Dad. This has become very serious.” Everyone turned toward her. Sarah took a breath. “The team manager, Josh Tryon…” She paused. “He was Laura's father.” “Hanna killed him.” The room went silent. “She contacted Laura and demanded information about what we were planning. Laura refused to tell her anything.” Sarah looked down. “And Hanna killed her father because of it.” Kelvin froze. “So this is really connected to you two?” Samantha nodded. “Yes.” She stepped forward. “We had planned to go to the Gupta family today, but we're not going anymore. We're going to stay here and support Laura while she deals with her father's funeral.” Kelvin nodded. “That is the right thing to do.” Samantha continued. “In the meantime, everyone needs to stay inside the house. We should also increase the security outside.” Tracy frowned. “But for how long?” Sarah looked at her. “Until we capture Hanna.” She paused. “Or kill her.” Nobody said anything.

The seriousness of the situation had finally reached every family connected to the Lions. Ben broke the silence. “What about my club?” Everyone looked at him. “Will it be affected?” he asked. “I'm sure Hanna knows that Mike and I are sworn enemies. And I'm not involved in whatever is happening between you people and her.” Samantha looked at him. “Husband…” She shook her head. “Are you forgetting that I'm married to you?” Ben frowned. “We also have shares in your club.” She gave him a look. “So obviously, the club is involved.” Ben stood up. “If being married to you is going to make me a target of your enemies, then we better get divorced.” Samantha stared at him. For a moment, everyone was silent. Then she suddenly laughed. “Are you serious?” "You know you can't joke about something like that.” Sarah looked at them, confused. Ben shook his head. “Don't you think I know what's going on between you and that girl?” Sarah suddenly choked and cough few times. Samantha froze. The room became silent.

Ben looked at Samantha with a teasing smile. Samantha stared at him for a moment. Then she slowly turned toward Kelvin and Tracy. “Father. Mother…” She forced a smile. “I think I'll go visit my family and warn them as well.” Kelvin nodded. “Be careful.” Samantha walked toward Monica and took her hand. “Monica, let's go and visit your grandparents.” Monica nodded. The two of them left. The moment the door closed behind them, Tracy turned toward Sarah. “What did Ben mean by ‘that girl’?” Sarah looked at her mother. “Mom…” Tracy narrowed her eyes. “And why did you choke when he said it?” Sarah smiled awkwardly. “I don't want to get involved.” She stood up. “I'll go see my son.” Before Tracy could ask another question, Sarah walked away. Tracy watched her leave. “What was that about?” Nobody answered. Ben forced a smile as he whispered to himself. "So it is just like I thought." Next door, at the new Chambers residence, Chris had already told his parents everything. They were still shaken by what had happened. The death of Josh had made the situation feel much closer to home. The family knew that Hanna wasn't simply targeting Alicia anymore. She was targeting everyone around them.

A short while later, Sarah arrived. The moment Valeria saw her, she rushed toward her. “My child!” She hugged Sarah. “How are you? How are you holding up?” Sarah smiled. “I'm okay, Mother.” Valeria immediately looked at David. “She called me Mother.” David smiled. Sarah laughed softly. “What's wrong with that?” “Nothing,” Valeria said quickly. She hugged Sarah again. “Nothing is wrong, my child.” Sarah looked around the room. Then she smiled. “And guess what, Mother?” Valeria raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Today I'm staying here with my husband and my son.” Chris looked at her in surprise. “You are?” Sarah nodded. “Yes.” She turned toward David. “Father, I can't cook…” David started laughing. “But I can make you a delicious cup of tea.” David looked at Chris. “What is going on?” Chris shrugged. “I have no idea.” Sarah immediately walked toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returned with tea and placed it in front of David. “There you go, Father.” David smiled. “Thank you, my child.” Sarah then looked at Valeria. “Mom, why don't you teach me how to cook?” Valeria's eyes widened. “What?” Sarah laughed. “Teach me.” Valeria immediately jumped up. “No problem!”

She grabbed Sarah's hand. “Come. I'll teach you everything I know.” Sarah followed her into the kitchen. Chris and David stood there completely frozen. Neither of them understood what had happened. A few minutes earlier, Sarah had walked into the house looking worried and serious. Now she was standing in the kitchen learning how to cook with Valeria. Chris looked at his father. “Dad…” David looked at him. “Yes?” “Do you understand what's happening?” David shook his head. “Not even slightly.” Both men looked toward the kitchen. Then Tristan's laughter suddenly filled the room. He was sitting on his baby walker, happily moving around as though nothing in the world was wrong. For a brief moment, everything felt normal. Valeria was teaching Sarah how to cook. David was drinking his tea. Chris was watching his son. Tristan was laughing. It was one of those rare moments when the danger outside seemed far away. But it wasn't. While the Chambers family enjoyed that brief moment of peace, Samantha was already travelling toward the Heaps family. She knew the danger was spreading. And now every family connected to the Lions had to prepare for what might come next.