Chapter 198

Lyra’s expression shifted the moment she noticed where Damon was looking. A flicker of panic crossed her face. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed his arm, her fingers tightening slightly as if afraid he might drift further away. “Let’s go,” she said quickly, forcing a lightness into her voice that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We shouldn’t keep Director waiting.” Only then did Damon look away. Slowly. Reluctantly. As if something invisible had been pulling at him. Before leaving, he paused for just a second, took out his phone, and raised it toward the display board. A soft click. The image was captured. In the photo Sloane stood poised and composed, her white coat immaculate, her smile bright and effortless. There was a quiet confidence in her gaze, something steady and untouchable, as though nothing in the world could truly shake her. Damon lowered his phone. But his heartbeat didn’t settle. If anything it grew more unsteady. Meanwhile, across the city. Sloane had already