Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Annie bolted out of the yard, clutching her phone, frantically trying to call Maja. Her hands and feet felt like ice, and no matter how many times she tried, the call just wouldn't connect.

Overwhelmed by desperation, Annie found herself in tears outside the police station. She rushed out, flagging down a taxi to head to the Cedillo family's place, hoping to warn them and save someone. At the same time, she tried calling her parents back home.

"Hey, kiddo?"

"Mom! You need to warn Maja not to hurt Conner. If something happens to him, I'II....."

Before she could finish her sentence, everything went black. Right there, at the entrance of the police station, Annie was knocked out cold. Her phone slipped from her grasp as she collapsed to the ground.

"Get her in the car."

"Yes, sir."

The security guard at the police station spotted Annie and rushed out, "Hey, what are you doing? Put Officer Chapman down!"

A gunshot echoed through the air, setting everyone on high alert.

Chad hesitated for a moment, then swiftly drew his service weapon and loaded it, "Everyone check your guns and ammo. Let's move!"noveldrama

As they headed out, they crossed paths with Easton and his team, who were equally on edge and ready to respond.

"Security, it's Old Andre!"

The forensic pathologist hurried over, "Call an ambulance, now."

Examining the wound, the pathologist noted, "It's a gunshot wound."

Chad knelt beside Andre, "Uncle, what happened?"

Old Andre struggled to speak, finally managing to say, "An..."

Chad felt a wave of relief; it wasn't "Molly" he'd feared. Standing up, he asked, "Where's Annie?"

It hit them all at once: Annie was gone.

Chad stepped outside, spotting the phone still on the ground. He picked it up.

Easton, standing nearby, confirmed, "It's Annie's."

Louisa, having only caught part of the conversation, was startled by the gunshot. Her body tensed, and her voice quivered, "Hello? Kiddo, Annie? Don't scare me. What's going on? Talk to me. Annie, kiddo?"

Gabby sensed something was off and immediately approached, "What's wrong? What happened to kiddo?"

Louisa, her voice shaking, replied, "I don't know. She mentioned someone wanting to harm the head of our family, and then, I heard a gunshot."

Meanwhile, at the Dark Web base, Maja accidentally dropped her cup, shattering it on the floor. She stared at the broken pieces, lost in thought. "What's Kon up to lately?"

Chad, aware of Annie and Conner's connection and Conner's friendship with his cousin, stepped aside to call Andre.

Andre answered, "Hello?"

Simultaneously, at the library

entrance, a standoff forced Andre's men to report, "Sir, we have a situation. Henry's been taken hostage, and the lady walke@right into it and is now under control."

Andre felt an icy chill sweep over him.

At the city library, Mia and Jamie, as usual, were heading out for lunch together. Jamie, let's tackle another practice test this afternoon. Once we nail this module, I'll take a break. I won't be around tomorrow, so keep pushing forward. If you feel onely, come over to my place."

"Sure, I'll keep at it. You too, Mia."

As they stepped onto the street, Mia froze, her eyes locked on the scene of a standoff between armed groups. Jamie, equally frightened, tried to pull Mia away, but she stood rooted to the spot.

Mia's gaze was locked on the Cedillo family's nanny van. Even with the glass in the way, she felt like she could see her son, his mouth covered, eyes full of tears.