WHO AM I

UNDER PRESSURE

The air seemed to crackle with intensity as the group huddled together. Lila paced the floor while Noah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the ground. Everyone was waiting for someone—anyone—to come up with a plan.

"So, what exactly are we going to do?" Cathy finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Run," Jasper said half-jokingly, half-seriously. "Or, you know, maybe we could, uh, fake our own deaths and move to Mexico?"

Stacy threw him a look. "Not helpful."

"Okay, fine." He shrugged. "But I still think Mexico isn't the worst idea."

Noah pushed off the wall and stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor flickering for a moment. "We're not running. That's what Renzo wants—for us to feel trapped. But we're not."

Phillip's voice cut in smoothly from the corner, where he sat, casually flipping through one of Noah's magazines. "Oh, but you are. And honestly, watching you all scramble like this is pretty entertaining."

Jasper shot Phillip an annoyed look. "Bro, why are you still here? No one invited you to this apocalypse planning session."

Phillip smiled lazily. "Someone's gotta keep you on your toes."

"Is there any chance we can put Phillip in a box and mail him to Antarctica?" Lila asked, giving Jasper a knowing glance.

Jasper perked up, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes! Best idea you've had all day."

Cathy rolled her eyes. "Seriously, guys?"

Amid the jokes, the tension simmered. Noah's brow furrowed as he scanned the room, clearly deep in thought. "We need to outsmart him. He's been ahead of us for too long."

Lila paused her pacing and crossed her arms. "Renzo isn't just going to sit back and wait. Whatever he's planning, he's going to move fast."

Zara and Stacy exchanged nervous glances. "We've seen the lengths he's willing to go," Stacy said quietly. "This isn't just about secrets anymore. It's about control."

The room went silent again. They all knew the stakes were higher now. This wasn't just about Noah's hidden wealth or Phillip's manipulations. It was about something much bigger—Renzo's game, and he wasn't playing fair.

"So, what's the plan?" Zara asked, her voice tense.

Noah exhaled slowly. "We're going to hit him where it hurts."

Phillip raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And where would that be, exactly?"

"His image," Noah said, a flicker of determination sparking in his eyes. "Renzo thrives on power, status, and control. If we can expose him for what he really is, we take all of that away."

Jasper's face lit up. "Ooh, I like the sound of that. Expose the villain, take him down in front of everyone—classic move."

Cathy leaned in, her eyes narrowing. "How, though? Renzo isn't exactly walking around with a sign that says 'I'm the bad guy.'"

Noah paused, glancing at Lila. "We have to get closer. We need to find something that proves who he really is."

Lila's heart skipped a beat. "You mean... someone's going to have to get close to him."

"Not just someone," Noah said quietly. "Me."

Lila's eyes widened. "Noah, you can't. It's too dangerous."

Noah met her gaze, his expression serious. "It's the only way."

Jasper groaned dramatically. "Ugh, why do we always go with the dangerous plan? I'm just saying, there's gotta be a less life-threatening option, right? Like... I don't know, sending a strongly worded email?"

Cathy smacked him on the arm. "Jasper."

"What? I'm just trying to keep us all alive here!"

Lila's stomach churned. She knew Noah was right, but the thought of him walking straight into Renzo's web of deceit felt like a nightmare waiting to happen. Still, they didn't have many other options.

Phillip, meanwhile, looked thoroughly entertained. "Oh, this is going to be good. Renzo won't even see it coming."

Lila glared at Phillip. "Aren't you supposed to be on his side?"

Phillip shrugged. "I'm on my own side, sweetheart."

Stacy shook her head. "You're impossible."

Zara sighed. "Look, if we're really doing this, we need to be smart about it. Renzo's dangerous."

Noah nodded. "I know. But this is the only way to stop him."

Lila felt a pit form in her stomach. Everything was spiraling, and fast. And as much as she wanted to protect Noah from what was coming, there was no turning back now. Renzo had played his hand, and it was time for them to fight back.