AVA
Veloria Maximum Security Prison looked like a storm cloud under the midnight sky.
Ava Lopez stood just beyond the floodlights, her leather jacket zipped against the chill, watching the news vans swarm the gates. Her exposé on Lionel's murder of Elena Vasiliev had ignited a media firestorm—and a riot.
Protesters chanted outside the prison walls. *"Justice for Elena!"*
Ava's phone buzzed. **Unknown Caller.**
She answered.
*"You always did have a flair for drama."* Julian Thorne's voice was smooth as poisoned honey.
Ava exhaled cigarette smoke toward the prison. *"Enjoying your new view, pretty boy?"*
*"Oh, this isn't over."* A pause. *"Lionel wants to see you."*
Ava's pulse spiked. *"Not a chance."*
*"He'll trade you the one thing you want."*
*"And what's that?"*
Julian's whisper sent ice down her spine:
*"The name of the man who killed your parents."*
---
LIONEL
Lionel Harris sat in the interrogation room, cuffed to the table, looking every inch the fallen king.
Ava took the seat across from him, her boot propped on the opposite chair. *"Start talking."*
Lionel smirked. *"Still wearing your grief like armor, Ava?"*
She didn't flinch. *"The name."*
*"First, a favor."* He slid a photo across the table—a younger Julian, standing beside a burning car. *"My godson's… extracurricular activities. Ensure he rots with me."*
Ava studied the image. The license plate was visible.
*Her parents' car.*
Her stomach dropped.
Lionel leaned in. *"Julian was sixteen. A test of loyalty. He never knew they were *your* family… until now."*
Ava's vision tunneled.
*"Tick-tock, Lopez. The press is coming. Do you want justice—or revenge?"*
---
KATHLEEN
Kathleen watched the live news feed from Carl's penthouse, Alina asleep in her lap.
*"Breaking: Riot at Veloria Prison as Lionel Harris faces murder charges—"*
Carl's hands settled on her shoulders. *"Ava's not answering her phone."*
Kathleen's gut churned. *"She wouldn't go there. Not alone."*
Then her phone lit up—a text from Ava:
**Tell Julian I'll see him in hell.**
Attached was the damning photo.
Kathleen's blood ran cold.
Carl snatched his keys. *"We need to move."*