You messed with someone you shouldn't have

Everyone in the room stared at her in stunned silence, disbelief written on their faces. The principal's expression twisted with contempt, certain that Alice was bluffing, just trying to make a scene. But before he could retort, his own phone rang a call that made his face go white as he listened.

"Pack up immediately you've been fired" A manly voice came through, making the principal face turn blank as he looked at Alice In shock "But...but why???"

"You've messed with someone you shouldn't have"

Only then did the principal believe that this was Alice's doing

"I understand. I'll pack up and leave immediately," his said his voice shaking, the call ended abruptly leaving the principal staring ahead shell-shocked.

"You've been fired,"

The weight of those words seemed to crush the principal's spirit, his face crumpling with regret. Mandy, who had caught fragments of the conversation, stared at him in shock. "What happened? Why are you looking at me like that?" she demanded.

The principal's eyes flashed with fury. "You!" he spat, the rage he could no longer contain spilling over. "All of this is because of you! You made me cross a line I never should have crossed!"

"What do you mean" Mandy demanded clearly stunned as to the principals word's

"What do you mean by that question do you see what you've done?" he snarled. "Because of you, I've lost my job!"

Mandy froze, looking utterly confused. "What do you mean? What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The principal's glare hardened. "You really don't get it, do you? You've just ruined me, all for your precious little girl. I messed with someone I shouldn't have, and now I'm paying the price."

Alice, who had remained silent throughout the principal's downfall, offered no sympathy. She gave him one last, cold look before turning away, holding Emily's hand firmly. Without another word, she left the office, her daughter in tow, her expression unreadable.

After taking few steps she turned to Mandy in a deep cold voice saying "Let me sound this as a warning to you and your daughter, the next time, you mess with my daughter you won't live to see another day" With that she turned and left...

Mandy who was stunned by her chilling aura called after her, after she regained her composure desperate for an explanation, but Alice did not even glance back. Fury and frustration roiled within Mandy as she watched them walk away. "You'll regret this!" she shouted at Alice's retreating figure. "No one has ever dared to defy me, and you'll pay for crossing me. I'll make sure of it!"

Alice did not stop, did not acknowledge the threat. She calmly led Emily to their car, the air of victory and power radiating off her. As they drove away, Mandy stood in the parking lot, watching the car disappear, her anger festering into something darker. Alice had won today, but she vowed it wouldn't end there.

The moon hung high in the night sky as Alice moved quietly through the hallway, stopping by Emily's room. She leaned over, brushing a gentle kiss on her daughter's forehead, the soft rise and fall of Emily's breathing reassuring her. But as she watched her sleeping child, thoughts churned in her mind. How had Helena known that Emily didn't have a father? Her brow furrowed. Emily's furious reaction to being called a "bastard" lingered painfully in Alice's mind.

Emily needed a father figure someone to anchor her, someone she could lean on when the world felt unfair. Alice's resolve, once set on finding Emily's father and taking full custody, now wavered. She couldn't deny it any longer: Emily longed for a father figure. Maybe...maybe it would be worth finding him and seeing if maybe just maybe he was responsible, if he could truly be a part of their lives. For Emily's happiness, she could consider a compromise something she'd never imagined before. And even give up her plans..

With a heavy sigh, Alice headed to her study, her thoughts a tangled web. She opened her laptop, determined to check if there had been any updates on the bounty she had placed for information. But disappointment settled in her chest as the page reflected 'Still pending'.

Meaning no one had taken up the challenge

The mystery of Emily's conception remained a frustrating enigma. She rubbed her temple, wondering how she could dig deeper.

Just as she was about to close her laptop,she noticed an unread notification, Curious, she opened the email.

"If you participate in the race you declined, I'll provide you with the clue you're looking for," it read.

Alice's eyes widened. Who was this person, and how did they know about her search? More importantly, how did they know about the race she had rejected? The message was unsettling, as if someone had been watching her every move, but she pushed her suspicions aside. For Emily, she couldn't afford to ignore any leads.

Her fingers moved over the keyboard, quickly typing a response. "Okay, I'll participate. But you must provide me with the clue I need." She hit send, determination hardening her resolve. She'd do anything if it meant clearing up the mystery of Emily's conception.

Finished with her email, Alice leaned back in her chair, the glow of the laptop screen casting shadows across her stunning face. It was time to set another plan in motion. She had to advance quickly she needed to know who Emily's father was.

Picking up her phone, she typed a message to John. "We can meet tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the SkyHigh Hotel." The message slightly portraying her cold nature

After sending it, she shut down her laptop and made her way to bed, her mind still racing.

---

John was lounging in his room when his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, a slow smile spreading across his face as he read Alice's message. "Just as I thought," he muttered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "All that attitude, all that coldness...it was just a mask. She still loves me...well he wouldn't?" He smiled widely to himself.

He reclined in his chair, the idea of their upcoming meeting exciting him. Of course, he thought, who wouldn't want me? An outstanding man like me ...!!! He smirked, already imagining how the night would unfold.

His fingers danced over his phone as he dialed a number. The line clicked, and he spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice. "Prepare the aphrodisiac for tomorrow night," he ordered. "Make sure it's done discreetly, and it's ready to be served at the SkyHigh Hotel restaurant. I'll give you the exact details later." His voice held a note of glee, his mind reveling in the image of Alice back under his control.

"Yes, I need it to be perfect," John continued, his tone eager. "No mistakes. I want her completely compliant. Understood?" He listened to the agreement on the other end of the line, feeling a rush of satisfaction.

As he ended the call, he couldn't suppress a self-satisfied grin. The thought of having Alice finally, after three long years made him go hard he didn't know she would become so attractive after this few years making him sexually drawn to her and the thought of having her was intoxicating. She had not always been this beautiful, but now she was so captivating, stronger, and more confident. He regretted not taking advantage of her back then, but now he would. Now, she would be his again.

"Tomorrow night," he whispered to himself, a predatory glint in his eye. "She won't escape this time."thinking about the next day excitement bubbled up inside him.