They knew Emma well. She would never let this failure stand.


    "Of course," Emma snapped. "Wait for my orders." She would definitely go after Amara again, but not right away. Her rtionship with Finnian was in tatters; she had to find a way to mend things with her son first.


    As she plotted, a cunning glint appeared in her eyes.


    Having decided to settle in Wye, Amara''s first priority was to buy a house. She hired a real estate agent, giving him a clear set of requirements: a small vi in the city center, not toorge, with four bedrooms, two living rooms, and preferably a small garden for flowers and maybe a pet.


    The agent was efficient. Just a few dayster, he called to say he had found a property for sale in a prime neighborhood that perfectly matched her criteria. The owner had left the keys with him, so they could view it anytime. Amara agreed to see it right away.


    She met the agent at the entrance to themunity and took a moment to look around. The vis had been built a couple of years ago, with beautifully manicuredwns, wide, clean roads, and a ssic European architectural style. Everything looked pristine.


    The house the agent showed her was located in the center of the development. They went inside, and Amara did a thorough walkthrough, inspecting every room. It had been renovated, but only simply Ifshe bought it, she would definitely want to redo the interior.


    The agent exined that the original owner, a local businessman, had gone bankrupt and was forced to liquidate his assets. He was desperate to sell quickly and had priced the house below market value making it a very hot property. Amara was interested, she should act fast.


    Amara simply nodded and said she needed time to think it over. She knew that agents always yed up a property''s desirability to close a sale. So, even though the house metall her requirements, she wasn''t going to be rushed. She asked the agent to keep fooking for other options. He being a savvy professional, could tell she was a serious buyer and happily agreed.


    As they were leaving the property, Amara saw two familiar women walking toward them from the other side of the street: Emma and Liliana.


    The sight of Emma made her face darken. The memory of the kidnapping and the image of Finnian''s injuries fueled a deep-seated hatred for the woman. But what were Emma and Liliana doing in this neighborhood? Were they visiting someone?


    Emma saw her at the same time, and her face contorted with fury. She leaned over and whispered something to Liliana, who nced at Amara before nodding and heading toward a nearby car. Emma, clutching her handbag, began walking straight toward Amara.


    ***