The faint glow of theptop illuminated Matthew''s face as he continued his search, his fingers flying across the keys. ire leaned against the side of his bed, her mind racing with possibilities and


    unanswered questions. The revtion of Andre''s existence still gnawed at her, the bitterness in his eyes from the party haunting her thoughts.


    After several minutes of fruitless searching, Matthew sighed and pushed theptop aside. "I don''t get it. There should be something on him. But it''s like he''s a ghost."


    ire nodded slowly, her fingers drumming against her thigh. "That''s because someone doesn''t want us to find him. Someone with enough influence and resources to erase digital footprints."


    "Eligos," Matthew muttered, his jaw tightening.


    She sighed, looking at him with a weary expression. "He''s always three steps ahead, isn''t he?"


    Matthew squeezed her hand gently. "He might be ahead right now, but we''ve caught up before. We can do it again." He paused, his gaze searching her face. "How are you holding up, really?"


    ire''s eyes softened. She knew Matthew well enough to understand he wasn''t asking out of mere curiosity. He genuinely cared, and for a moment, she let her guard slip. "I feel like everything I know about my life is unraveling. First the scandal with Adrian, and now this half-brother I never knew existed." Matthew nodded. "It''s a lot to process."


    She exhaled sharply, trying to steady her thoughts. "It''s not just about processing it. I need to act. I can''t let Eligos keep pulling the strings."


    "We won''t," Matthew assured her. "We just need a new angle. If the digital trail is gone, maybe it''s time for some old-fashioned detective work.


    ire arched a brow. "You''re suggesting we hit the streets?"


    Matthew smirked. "Why not? We''ve done it before."


    A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "I suppose you''re right. But first, you need more rest."


    Matthew rolled his eyes. "I''ve rested enough. I''m ready to get back in the game."


    She gave him a stern look. "Doctor''s orders, Matthew."


    "Fine, fine," he relented with a grin. "But at least let me help you strategize. We can''t just stumble around blindly."


    ire nodded, her mind already spinning with ideas. "We need to figure out who Andre really is and where he''s been all these years. If Eligos is using him, there has to be a point of contact, someone who brought Andre into Eligos''s web."


    Matthew''s eyes narrowed in thought. "You said Andre seemed bitter. He''s clearly been fed a story. If we can figure out what he believes, we can start unraveling Eligos''s lies."


    ire considered this, her gaze distant. "He resents me. That much was obvious. He looked at me like I''d stolen everything from him.''


    "Which means Eligos likely told him that you''re responsible for his struggles," Matthew said. "If we can find out what those struggles are, we might get a lead."


    ire''s eyes lit up with determination. "I can have my contacts in the city check financial records, public services, anything that might give us a hint about his background."


    Matthew grinned. "That''s the ire I know."


    She smiled back, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. "Okay, let''s do this. But for now, you really should get some sleep."


    Matthew chuckled. "You''re relentless."


    "And you love it," she shot back, rising to her feet.


    "Guilty as charged."


    As she turned to leave, he called out, "Hey, ire?"


    She paused in the doorway, looking back.


    "No matter what happens, you''re not alone in this."


    Her eyes softened. "I know. And I''m grateful for that."


    ire sat at her desk, herptop open in front of her as she made a series of encrypted calls. Her contacts in various parts of the


    were some of the best at uncovering could dig up something on Andre they could.


    hidden information. If ancore et


    She leaned back in her chair, listening as herst contact promised to get back to her within a few hours. The waiting was always the hardest part, and the gnawing uncertainty was starting to wear on her


    Just as she was about to take a break, her office door creaked open, and Sandra poked her head in. "Hey, boss. Thought you might need a coffee."


    ire smiled gratefully. "You read my mind."


    Sandra walked in and set the cup on the desk. Her eyes flicked to ire''s face, concern evident. "You look like you haven''t slept in days."


    "Feels like it too," ire admitted, taking a sip. The warmth of the coffee helped ease some of her tension. "I''m just dealing with... familyplications."


    Sandra hesitated, then sat down in the chair across from ire. "Is this about that guy from the party? The one who called you ''sis''?"


    ire''s eyes widened slightly. "You caught that?"


    Sandra nodded. "It was hard to miss. And I couldn''t help but notice how rattled you were."


    ire sighed. She trusted Sandra, but this was uncharted territory. "His name is Andre. Apparently, he''s my half-brother."


    Sandra''s eyes widened. "Wow. That''s... a lot."


    "Tell me about it," ire muttered. "I didn''t even know he existed. And now, he shows up at the Christmas party, full of resentment."


    Sandra leaned forward. "Do you think he''s telling the truth?"


    ire nodded slowly. "I think he is. But someone''s been filling his head with lies. Someone who wants to hurt me."


    Sandra''s brow furrowed. "Who that might be?"


    ire shrugged. "I have no idea. I mean I have a clear thoughts on the person but I am still investigating it." ire took a deep breath. "I need to find Andre. I need to know the truth."


    Sandra nodded firmly. "Then let''s find him. Whatever you need, I''m here."


    ire''s eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Sandra."


    Just as Sandra left the office, ire''s phone buzzed with a message from one of her contacts. She read the text, her heart pounding.


    "Found something. Andre''s been living in a t in East London. Looks like he''s been struggling financially. Here''s the address."


    ire''s fingers tightened around her phone. This was it a real lead. She grabbed her coat and her keys, determination zing in her eyes.


    As she headed out the door, her mind was clear. It was time to confront the truth, no matter how painful it might be.


    East London - Andre''s t


    The neighborhood was a stark


    contrast to the world ire was used to. The buildings were worn, the paint peeling, and the air was thick with the scent of exhaust She stood in front of the narrow, grimy building, her heart thundering in her chest.


    Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. After a moment, it creaked open, and Andre stood there,


    his eyes narrowing in surprise.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.


    "I came to talk," ire said, her voice steady. "I want to know the truth."


    Andre scoffed, crossing his arms. "The truth? You wouldn''t know the truth if it hit you in the face."


    "Then tell me," she challenged. "I deserve to hear it."


    He stared at her for a long moment, bitterness and pain etched on his face. Finally, he stepped aside. "Fine. Come in. But you might not like what you hear."


    ire stepped inside, her heart heavy with anticipation. The truth was finally within reach, and she was ready to face it—no matter what it cost her.