Maria paced the hallway, her fingers trembling as she dialed her nails into her palm.
"The idiot they caught is new. He doesn't know the dos and don'ts. What if he talks?" Maria hissed.
"I don't think he'll just blurt your name out like that," Olivia replied calmly.
"Rudra isn't just a cop, Olivia—he's trained. He knows how to break people. He'll get it out of him."
Just then, Bonita entered, radiant but stern.
"Mom… you don't look happy at all," she said.
"I am happy for you, sweetheart, I really am," Maria forced a smile. "And now that you're twenty, act like it. Learn the difference between your mom and your aunty."
"I've known the difference since last month," Bonita replied, her voice edged with resolve. "But why aren't you saying anything about Tiffanie?"
"What should I say? She's… beautiful," Maria muttered, voice bitter.
"Of course, Mom," Bonita said, then added sharply, "I just came to remind you to surrender. All your efforts? They're leading you to a place you won't come back from."
"Why are you talking to Mom like that?" Olivia snapped.
"Shut up, Olivia! This is between me and my mom," Bonita growled.
She turned back to Maria with a cruel smile.
"I also met someone… Daniels. He might be my boyfriend. Maybe even my husband one day."
She gestured toward Daniels, whose eyes were, once again, locked on Star.
"Or maybe… she'll steal him," Maria muttered, voice low and venomous.
"Star? Nah. He's just being human," Bonita shrugged.
At that moment, Christine stormed toward Olivia.
"Can you explain why Star's phone was in your room?" she demanded.
"Grandma, she left it last night at the camps. I found it this morning," Olivia replied.
"But instead of handing it over, you made up a story about her sneaking off with Rudra?" Bonita accused.
"I assumed! I saw them being close…"
The doctor appeared just then, clipboard in hand.
"Doctor, is she being discharged?" Christine asked.
"Yes, but she must remain under supervision until tomorrow."
"She's fine though, right?" Bonita pressed.
"Totally fine," the doctor assured her.
"Mom, I've got errands. Get the kids home," Maria said, brushing past.
Christine went to Star's room.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. We can't take you home today."
"Why? I'm fine," Star frowned.
"Hospital protocol. They want to monitor you one more night… but tell me, what happened to being careful?"
"Careful?" Star blinked. "What do you mean, Grandma?"
"It was Olivia. She's behind what happened."
"No way. I checked her thoroughly. She wasn't up to anything."
Then a memory flashed in Star's mind—Olivia's threat.
"Wait… she said something…"
Christine's eyes hardened.
"Today she strutted into the house telling everyone you and Rudra were making out… like it was fact. That you two disappeared last night."
"WHAT? Grandma, I don't even remember last night! After everyone left, I heard something outside, went to check, and someone hit me. Next thing I knew—I was here!"
"Exactly their plan. Olivia and Maria want you gone so she can marry Mandume."
"I knew they hated me, but this far? What if they target Mendu too?"
"Let me worry about him. I only have a short visit. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Grandma. Be safe. I'm sorry we can't cook today."
"We've got maids now," Christine chuckled.
"Right… goodnight," Star whispered.
Later That Evening – Police Station
Mandume, Tomas, and Rudra stood firm as the suspect, Simon, was dragged out.
"Seen him before?" Rudra asked Tomas.
"First time."
"Do you know who this is?" Rudra asked Simon.
"No," Simon replied.
"Then why did you try to kill her?" Rudra barked.
"Who sent you?" Mandume demanded.
"I don't know."
"You don't know?" Rudra narrowed his eyes. "You do know you're involved in the attempted murder of a young woman, right?"
Silence.
"Answer the damn question!" Tomas roared. "Who sent you to kill my daughter?"
"Sir, I'll handle this," Rudra interrupted, stepping forward.
"You look terrified," he told Simon. "You joined a gang yesterday and already landed in prison. Do you know how long you'll sit here? Mandume will win this case. You'll rot."
"Why did you try to kill Star?" Mandume asked.
"Who's Star?"
They froze.
"Are you playing stupid?!" Rudra snapped. "Do you see any kids around?"
"Oh, right. You think your boss will bail you out, so you're playing dumb, huh? But it's almost 4 p.m. and no one's shown up for you yet."
Tomas leaned in.
"You look like a damn Grade 12 student. What's wrong with your generation? Where are your parents?"
"Hey," Mandume said, stepping forward. "I'm Mandume Davids. David's Architecture? That's me. Now imagine what I could do for you… if you just told us why you tried to kill Star."
Rudra pressed harder.
"So… did someone send you?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean, 'yes'?" Rudra asked sharply.
"Someone sent us," Simon confirmed.
"Who?" Tomas asked.
"I don't know the name. I only spoke to him once—yesterday."
"What did you talk about?"
"We were ordered to kill a girl. In the evening. I just joined. I don't know much. I just wanted to pay off my debt."
"Exactly," Rudra smirked. "You're new. You're still learning the rules. You wouldn't risk messing up."
"Sir, please… I didn't even know she was connected to Davids. We just got a picture and directions."
"And your boss? You're saying you don't know him?" Rudra asked.
"Never met him. Always wears a mask. Only calls by video."
"Was it a man or a woman's voice?" Mandume asked.
Just then, Maria stormed in.
"Mandume… is this the man?"
"Yes, Mom."
Maria lunged and slapped Simon across the face.
"How DARE you try to kill my daughter?! You monster! I will NEVER let a killer get bailed! You think you'll get away with it?! Not with my Star!"
"Mom! That's enough," Mandume tried to intervene. "He was just starting to talk!"
She slapped Simon again. Police officers rushed in to drag him back to the cell.
"Mom, why would you do that? He was about to give us a lead!"
"No, son," Maria said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Killers like him never talk. He was just toying with you. My daughter… she could be dead right now!"
Her voice broke into sobs, and for once, Maria seemed less like the cold strategist—and more like a mother on the verge of collapse.