Antonia stepped cautiously into the dimly lit room, her sharp heels clicking against the tiled floor.

The sound echoed ominously, and she grimaced, hating the vulnerability it betrayed.

Her black silk blouse clung to her figure, paired with tailored trousers that ended just above her sleek stilettos.

A bold gold chain sat at her throat, the only splash of brightness in her otherwise shadowy attire. She was a picture of elegance and authority, but even her poise couldn’t mask the faint tension humming beneath her skin.

The room was sparse, with a single overhead bulb casting a sickly yellow glow.

The faint smell of mildew lingered, mingling with the faint...