Winnie adjusted the cor of her white coat, her heart pounding as she walked through the dimly lit hospital corridors. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, blending with the low murmurs of nurses and patients. She held a tablet in her hands, its screen filled with fake patient records to maintain the illusion that she was a doctor making rounds.


    The psychiatric ward was quiet, with most patients either resting or engaged in therapy sessions. No one paid her any attention-just another doctor on duty.


    She had spent the past few days gathering information, trying to figure out the identity of Evelyn, the woman who frequently visited Lisa. And now, the opportunity to uncover the truth had finally presented itself.


    From the corner of her eye, she spotted Evelyn. The woman, d in a dark blue coat with her hair tied neatly in a bun, was walking briskly toward the garden just outside the ward.


    Perfect.


    Winnie kept her head down, pretending to be absorbed in her tablet, but she was hyper-aware of every movement Evelyn made. The moment Evelyn stepped outside, Winnie discreetly followed, careful to keep a safe distance.


    Evelyn pulled out her phone and answered a call almost immediately. Winnie crouched behind a row of well-maintained bushes near the hospital garden, her breath shallow as she strained to listen.


    At first, Evelyn''s voice was calm, but as the conversation progressed, her tone became tense.


    "What do you mean he''s arrested?" Evelyn snapped. "That can''t be right! My husband is a good man!"


    Winnie''s grip on her tablet tightened. Her husband?


    The police officer on the other end of the call spoke in a firm tone. Though Winnie couldn''t hear every word clearly, she caught fragments of the conversation.


    "-evidence against him—"


    "—conspiracy involving the Peterson family—”


    "-illegal activities-"


    Evelyn''s lips parted slightly, her eyes darting around as if she feared someone might be watching her. But then, something changed in her expression- something calcting.


    "I... I don''t understand," she said, her voice suddenly softer, tinged with disbelief. "My husband would never do something like this."


    Winnie narrowed her eyes. She''s lying.


    She wasn''t entirely sure who Evelyn''s husband was, but from the way she was reacting, it was clear that she knew about his crimes.


    The officer continued speaking. "Mrs. Robertson, we need you toe to the station for questioning."


    Winnie felt a chill crawl up her spine.


    Robertson.


    Evelyn''s real name was Gretta Robertson.


    Even though Winnie didn''t know the full extent of what that meant, she knew one thing-it was big.


    Evelyn-Gretta-exhaled sharply, frustration seeping into her tone. "Fine. I''lle in soon."


    The call ended, and Gretta gritted her teeth. Then, to Winnie''s shock, she muttered under her breath:


    "I need to get Lisa out of here... and make ire pay for what she''s done." Winnie''s eyes widened in horror.


    What?


    The pieces were falling into ce. This wasn''t just about visiting Lisa-this was about freeing her. And it wasn''t going to be through legal means.


    Winnie took a slow, careful step backward.


    Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for her phone. She needed to tell ire now.


    She quickly ducked away from the bushes, keeping her movements light to avoid drawing attention. As soon as she was a safe distance away, she tapped ire''s number.


    It rang once.


    Twice.


    Then ire picked up.


    "Winnie?"


    Winnie kept walking, her voice urgent but hushed. "ire. I found out who Evelyn is."


    There was a pause on the other end. "... Who?"


    Winnie swallowed. "Her real name is Gretta Robertson."


    Silence.


    Then ire''s voice sharpened. "Robertson?"


    "Yes," Winnie confirmed, ncing around to make sure no one was listening. Loverheard her on the phone. The police called her about her husband''s arrest. She acted surprised, but I could tell she already knew what he did."


    There was another pause before ire asked, "Did she say anything else?"


    Winnie took a deep breath. "ire... she said she needs to free Lisa. And she wants to make you pay."


    A chilling silence filled the line.


    "...I see," ire finally said, her voice unreadable.


    "What should I do?" Winnie asked. "Should I follow her? Should I keep watching?"


    ire took a moment before responding, "No. You''ve done enough. Get out of there before she realizes someone''s onto her."


    "But-"


    "No buts," ire cut in firmly. "It''s too dangerous. If she finds out you were listening, she won''t let it slide.


    Winnie hesitated, then reluctantly nodded, even though ire couldn''t see her. "Alright."


    Before ire hung up, she added, "Winnie... thank you."


    Winnie managed a small smile. "Of course, ire"


    "Your work here is done Winnie. You are free to go. I will took care of your things.


    Don'' worry about it."


    She ended the call and let out a slow breath.


    "I hope ire will be careful facing Gretta."


    ire sat in her office at Cryptonic, the phone still in her hand, her expression unreadable.


    Matthew, who had been standing near the window, noticed the tension in ire''s face. "What is it?"


    ire put her phone down and exhaled sharply. "Evelyn isn''t Evelyn. Her real name is Gretta Robertson."


    Matthew''s brows furrowed. "Robertson... as in Robert?"


    ire nodded.


    "That''s not good. I did not expect Gretta to do this type of shit."


    "No," ire agreed. "And it gets worse. She wanted to break Lisa out of the ward.


    And she mes me for Robert''s arrest."


    Matthew let out a low curse. "That means she''s going to retaliate."


    ire leaned back in her chair, her mind calcting. "She won''te for me directly. Not yet. She''ll go after Lisa first."


    Matthew crossed his arms. "So what''s the n?"


    ire tapped her fingers against the desk. "We need to move fast. If Gretta is


    nning something, she won''t wait long."


    She looked up at Matthew, her blue eyes sharp.


    "Get me everything we have on Gretta Robertson-now. I think she won''t see this


    Gretta Robertson strode confidently


    into hervish mansion, feeling rather pleased with herself after her visit to the police station. She had done her part-yed her cards well and now all she had to do was sit back and let the pieces fall into ce.


    After all, Lisa was almost free.


    Gretta shrugged off her coat and tossed her designer handbag onto the marble counter. She had just finished a fancy dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town, celebrating in advance for what she considered a victory. She poured herself a ss of red wine humming softly as she swirled the liquid inside the ss.


    But as she turned toward the living room, her movements halted.


    A figure sat casually on the plush velvet couch, legs crossed, hands resting lightly


    on the armrest. The woman slowly turned her head, a wicked smile curling her


    lips.


    ire Peterson.


    Gretta''s grip on her wine ss tightened as an icy chill ran down her spine.


    ire stood up gracefully, her heels clicking against the polished wooden floor.


    She tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement.


    "What are you doing here, ire?"