Giving up

Alicia's memory stirred, a soft sigh escaping her lips as realization slowly dawned upon her. She blinked, her gaze unfocused for a moment, before focusing on the present. "Why would he be interested in me?" she murmured to herself, her brow furrowing in thought. "And... I didn't even know there was someone called Hunter in the Cooper family tree—"

Her contemplation was abruptly interrupted when the door behind her swung open with a rude force. The sudden intrusion of the director and his entourage sent a jolt through the room. Alicia and Mabel turned, their expressions shifting from confusion to surprise.

The director entered with an air of exuberance, flanked by his followers, some of whom carried bouquets of flowers, while one held a professional camera. His unsettling smile was as prominent as ever, directed solely at Alicia. Mabel, despite her presence, seemed to fade into the background.