“Call,” Ranya ordered, leaning back in his chair as Valerie dialed the number. She handed the phone to him, but he gestured for her to keep it.

As the phone rang, tension thickened the air. Ranya quickly texted Linn:

‘Calling my father now. Block every location access. He must not know where I am.’

Linn responded almost immediately:

‘On it, sir.’

The call went unanswered after several rings. Calista sighed, her anxiety palpable.

“I had a feeling he wouldn’t pick up,” she said, frustration edging her voice.

“He’s probably busy. Maybe now isn’t the right time,” Valerie suggested.

“If he’s involved, he won’t deny it,” Willia chimed in. Mrs. MacQuoid...