The Devious Games | Englot | GirlxGirl

Chapter 23 - Pawn

Engfa stood tall in the center of the lavish room, her face betraying no hint of fear. It was as if she had been expecting this.

"I'm well aware of my rights," she replied, her tone calm, almost dismissive, as if the weight of the charges meant nothing.

Then, as one of the SWAT agents approached to cuff her, Charlotte-who had been frozen near the door-snapped. The sight of those cuffs being pulled from the agent's belt lit a fire inside her.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" she yelled, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and fury.

The agent barely glanced at her, continuing his approach, but Charlotte lunged forward, putting herself directly between them and Engfa. "I said stop! You can't do this!"

Agent Callaway's gaze shot to Charlotte, sharp as a knife. "This doesn't concern you. Back off."

Charlotte's heart raced, but she didn't budge. "It concerns me when you're arresting her! You know she didn't do anything!"

Engfa's gaze softened for a moment, and she took a step forward. "Charlotte, don't. It's fine. Let them do their job," she said quietly, though her voice carried the weight of control.

But Charlotte wasn't listening. She planted her feet, eyes blazing with defiance. "No. I'm not letting them take you." Her voice, usually soft, was laced with steel.

Another SWAT member stepped up, his face a mask of impatience. "We have orders, miss. Don't interfere."

Charlotte didn't back down. "And I'm telling you-if you lay a hand on her, you'll have to go through me first." Her stance was rigid, trembling with adrenaline.

The room felt like it was vibrating with tension. The younger SWAT agent shifted nervously. "This is official business. You really don't want to get in the way."

Charlotte's glare could've cut through stone. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."

Engfa's eyes flicked to Charlotte, something unreadable flickering in her usually guarded expression. She stepped forward again, her cuffs clinking softly as she moved. "Charlotte. Enough. I can handle this," she said softly, her voice laced with a strange calm.

But Charlotte was past the point of reasoning. "They can't take you without proof. This is wrong!"

Agent Callaway moved toward Charlotte with deliberate steps, his presence looming. "We have proof, Miss Austin," he said, his tone lower, more dangerous now.

"I understand you're personally involved. Your article-you're lucky I didn't have stronger evidence yet-but don't make this harder than it needs to be. Cooperate, or... let's just say, things won't go well for you." He reached out, grabbing Charlotte's arm firmly.

"Get your hands off her!" Engfa's voice cut through the air like a whip, her composure cracking as she struggled against her cuffs.

Callaway smirked, ignoring her. But Charlotte wasn't having it. She yanked her arm free, stepping forward until she was right in his face. "Touch me again, and you'll regret it," she hissed, her voice low and full of menace.

Agent Callaway stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he sized her up. "Search the place," he ordered sharply, signaling the SWAT team with a nod.

In a flurry of movement, the officers scattered, pulling open drawers, tearing through closets, and flipping over furniture. The sound of items crashing to the floor echoed around the room, while the steady hum of scanning devices and whispered commands created an almost suffocating atmosphere.

Engfa didn't move. She watched them with an unnerving stillness, her expression unchanged, as if this chaos was beneath her.

The SWAT team continued their chaotic search, rifling through drawers and overturning furniture. After what felt like an eternity, they regrouped in the living room.