He couldn''t let Evangeline take that risk with Glenn''s future.


    Glenn had no idea what Theo was thinking. After hanging up, he stepped out of the small hut. In the distance, the turquoise water of the ind''s cove sparkled, meeting the horizon. The ind''s terrified residents were huddled together, held at bay by Victor''s armed guards, who were interrogating them about Theresa''s whereabouts. Children wailed in their parents'' arms.


    The guards ignored them, ransacking the small homes one by one. After a few minutes, they emerged and reported to Victor, who was strolling toward them.


    "Nothing, Mr. Lockridge."


    "My team didn''t find anything either."


    "There''s nowhere to hide a person here."


    Victor''s eyes were bloodshot, but a cruel smile yed on his lips. He held out his hand, and a guard respectfully passed him a lit torch.


    "If Tessa isn''t here," Victor said, his voice dangerously soft, "then this ce has no reason to exist."


    He raised the torch and tossed it toward a pile of dry firewood. The residents screamed, struggling against the guards, but it was no use. Victor watched, unconcerned.


    "Wait."


    Just as the mes began to lick at the wood, Glenn''s voice cut through the chaos.


    Victor nced up, his blood-red eyes glinting with cold amusement. "Glenn. What is it? Want to do the honors yourself?"


    Glenn ignored the taunt. "Leave them alone," he said, his voice steady. "I know where Tessa is."


    After his call with Glenn, Theo went to find Evangeline, determined to change her mind. He found her in her office, already poring over maps and property listings. She was bent over her desk a pen in hand her eyes fixed on theputer screen as she scribbled calctions in a notebook. Her posture was straight, her focus absolute.


    It was how she always worked,pletely absorbed. But seeing her now, Theo had a moment of déjà v?. He remembered a time when she had been too nervous to even go on Stage. Now, faced with a decision of this magnitude, she seemed


    He walked over to her desk. Sensing his presence, she looked up.


    "Director Shaw. I''ve narrowed it


    down to a few potential locatio


    based onnd price, climate,


    logistics, andbor costs..." She handed him a stack of papers filled with her neat handwriting and detailed calctions. Each location''s pros, cons, and costs wereid out with remarkable rity. It was clear she had done her homework.


    Theo was impressed, but he pushed the papers aside. "You asked me once what Glenn''s wager with the investors was," he said quietly. "I can tell you now. He made a bet with ourrgest foreign investor. If UME''s domestic revenue doesn''t surpass our international revenue within six months, he has to step down as CEO."