?Chapter 1285:


    Murderous fire burned in Sadie’s reddened eyes as she turned, pinning the shivering manager with a re that could freeze blood. “Restore the surveince footage within one day. If not, you might as well shut this ce down for good.”


    Her words, though quietly spoken, brooked no argument.


    Panic flickered across the manager’s face. He nodded furiously, too afraid to protest, and hurried away to do her bidding.


    Determination kept Sadie upright, even as her clenched fists left crescent marks in her palms and her eyes threatened to spill tears.


    Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone cut through the air.


    ine’s name shed on the screen, bringing a fresh wave of anxiety. Answering with trembling hands, she pressed the phone to her ear. The moment the call…


    ine’s voice broke through the connection, thick with anxiety. “Sadie, what’s going on? Has anyone found Tina yet?”


    Sadie remained silent. Her throat tightened, and no words woulde. She couldn’t bring herself to deliver such heartbreaking news—not yet.


    ine stayed quiet on the line, listening to the endless silence, a heavy dread tightening in his chest as if he already knew what wasing.


    When he finally forced the words out, his voice wavered. The smile he tried to summon sounded fragile. “Sadie, please. Don’t do this. Just tell me what’s happening.”


    Sadie’s strength gave out and she copsed to her knees, the grief too heavy to bear. One trembling hand reached out to brush the chill from Tina’s still face, lingering on the stubborn spark of life that had once been there. Tears blurred her vision, spilling down her cheeks as herposure shattered.


    Sadie closed her eyes and whispered, “ine, stay calm… Tina… she’s gone.”


    Words left Sadie’s lips ragged and raw, each one a wound for herself and for ine, who could only listen in agony on the other end. Not far away, shadows concealed Alex as he stood with his security detail, his eyes tracking every heartbreaking moment.


    The moment he caught sight of Sadie on the ground, clutching Tina’s lifeless body as sobs racked through her, something inside him twisted tight. It was as if an invisible hand had wrapped around his heart, crushing it until he could barely breathe from the weight of it. His fists tightened, knuckles pale and veins prominent, until he finally turned away, unable to stomach the sight any longer.


    “You were supposed to keep her under control. How did you end up killing her?” His voice came out low and tense, heavy with barely contained fury and a trace of regret he didn’t try to hide.


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    Terror overtook the nearest guard, who fell to his knees. His words trembled. “Mr. Howe, I failed you. She fought so desperately—our team couldn’t hold on, and she slipped into the river. I tried to jump in after her, but themotion drew attention, and we had to abandon the rescue.”


    Alex listened in grim silence, exhaustion settling into his bones as he exhaled a weary sigh.


    Dwelling on what was lost seemed pointless now; the damage had been done.


    “Did you clean up everything?” Alex’s tone grew steadier, a mask of calm stretched tight over roiling anger.


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