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CHAPTER- 42 Twisted Hospitality

AUTHOR'S POV

As the plane touched down in New York, Ian, Charlotte, Estella, and Ember were filled with a mix of determination and anxiety. Ian had a plan to meet with the police chief first to gain his confidence and present all the evidence they had gathered against Mia.

Then, they would confront her in front of Alaric and his family, with the police authorities present. Ian, who had coordinated everything meticulously, had arranged for a rental car to visit the police station, as he didn't want anyone to identify him or risk being followed.

Taking the keys from the rental agent, they loaded their luggage into the car.

"Alright, everyone," Ian said as they climbed into the car. "First, we'll stop at the police headquarters. We already have all the evidence we'll present to the police chief and gain his confidence before confronting Mia. That woman is dangerous; she could hurt anyone. We need to be prepared."

Charlotte nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. We should be prepared before confronting her. She surely deserves severe punishment for what she's done."

The drive to the police headquarters was tense but silent, each person lost in their thoughts.

Estella noticed Ember's tense face. "Ember, are you feeling okay? I know this is going to be tough, but you're doing the right thing."

Ember, looking exhausted but resolute, replied, "I know. I just want to see this through. For all the pain I've caused, I need to make it right."

Charlotte, trying to lighten the mood, added, "Once we get this sorted, we'll all go for a celebratory dinner. My treat."

They all managed a small smile, appreciating Charlotte's effort to keep spirits high.

After a few minutes, Charlotte asked, "How much time will it take for us to reach the headquarters?"

"Almost there," Ian muttered, just as they were nearing the police station.

Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, Ian saw a truck speeding towards them from an intersection. Before he could react, the truck slammed into their car with a deafening crash. The world spun, metal crunched, and glass shattered. The force of the collision sent the car flipping over and over, finally coming to a rest upside down on the side of the road.

Everything went black.

ESTELLA'S POV

When I open my eyes, the first thing I notice is the cold, damp floor beneath me. My head is throbbing, and I struggle to sit up, realizing that I am bound to a chair with ropes around my wrists. Panic sets in as I look around. Charlotte, Ian, and Ember are in similar conditions, their faces etched with confusion and fear.

"Estella!" Charlotte's voice is a mixture of panic and relief. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I respond, though my heart races. "Are you?"

"Yeah, just a bit disoriented," she says. "What happened?"

"Where...where are we?" I murmur, trying to shake off my disorientation.

"Looks like an abandoned house or something," Charlotte replies, her voice tense.

Before I can notice anything else, the sound of footsteps echoes through the room. The door creaks open, and Mia strides in, a cruel smile on her face.

"Well, well, well," Mia says, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Look who's all tied up. How the mighty have fallen."

"Welcome, everyone," she says, her voice dripping with malice. "I see you all finally made it to New York. Too bad your little trip to the police station was cut short."