SECURED

ENEMIES.

•THIRD POINT OF VIEW•

David had been scanning the crowd, increasingly worried about Ciya's absence. He was about to go looking for her when the sound of a gunshot ripped through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. His body went on high alert, hand instinctively moving toward the concealed gun under his jacket.

And then he saw it-a girl's body dropped from the chandelier, crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. Gasps and screams filled the air as the partygoers scrambled in panic.

David's eyes locked onto the bloody words carved into her arm-Reid-a chilling message that he was still alive.

Chaos erupted inside the hall, but David's mind was on one thing-Ciya. He bolted toward the garden, fear coursing through him as he called out, forgetting to use her fake name in his worry.

David said "Ciya! Are you there?"

But instead of his daughter, he found Ray and Ivan standing near the garden table. David's eyes widened when he saw a piece of Ciya's dress in Ray's hand. He snatched it, examining it closely, his heart pounding.

David desperately asked"This-this is my daughter's dress. Did you see her?!"

Ray and Ivian were taken aback, shocked by the revelation. They exchanged a glance, their confusion deepening.

Ray quietly asked "Your daughter?"

But before any of them could respond, another gunshot echoed from inside the hall. The three men immediately snapped back to reality, their focus shifting toward the danger inside. They hurried back into the chaos, each one thinking of the person they couldn't afford to lose.

• • •

• CIYA •

(BEFORE SHOOTING STARTED)

I quickly stand up, not caring that my dress is caught on the bench. It tears a small piece of my dress, wrapping that Mr. Warmheart blazer tighter around me as I hurried back toward the ballroom. My heart pounded in my chest, and the sensation of being watched lingered long after I left the garden behind.

As soon as I stepped inside the hall, my eyes frantically searched for dad. I needed to find him, to tell him what had just happened-though I wasn't even sure how to explain it. All I knew was that the garden was no longer a place of peace, but of shadows that lurked too close for comfort.

But a sudden voice halted my steps.

"Leave me alone before I shoot you," a girl's voice with a distinct Asian accent pierced through the crowd. My concern spiked; someone might be in trouble. I followed the voice and found myself near the ladies' washroom.

The scene inside was alarming: a man had one hand gripping a woman's wrists and the other tightly holding her face. His voice was laced with menace.

"You think you can say no to me?" he growled, tightening his grip.

The woman, defiant, delivered a savage reply "Saying no to you is like breathing-natural and effortless." and kicked him in the groin, freeing herself momentarily. She scrambled to find her gun, but the man was already preparing to strike her.

Before he could land a punch, I intervened, grabbing his fist with one hand.

"What do you think you're doing, Mr." I demanded, my voice icy and dangerous.