Her words were hushed, but the fear in her voice was unmistakable.


    Hannahforted her with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.


    “Don’t worry, I’m here now.


    You’re sitting out the game today, so you’ll be safe.


    ”


    Dotson and Maloney approached, their faces more somber than the day before.


    “Boss, there was an attempt to break into Miss Philips’s roomst night.


    I arrived just as the intruder fled.


    This kind of trouble concerns me.


    If I spot anyone suspicious, I might just take them down on the spot!” Dotson dered.


    Maloney warned, “Remember, our enemy is concealed while we are out in the open.


    We can’t predict their next move.


    Let’s not act hastily.


    ”


    “He’s right,” Hannah agreed.


    “No rash moves.


    We need to evaluate the situation carefully.


    ”Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Their conversation wasn’t the only one about the disturbances.


    Others in the hall were also sharing their experiences.


    Anyone who wasn’t sound asleep would have heard the noise from the second floor.


    “Did you hear all that noisest night? Someone was pounding on doors.


    This ce might as well have paper walls!”


    “I heard it too.


    I went out to check, but there was no one.


    I wanted to curse them out, but I couldn’t find anyone!”


    “Howe I heard nothing? Were you all just dreaming?”


    “You sleep so soundly, it’d be a miracle if you heard anything at all.


    ”


    Each remark added ayer to the chaotic chorus, filling the air with questions and usations.


    Meanwhile, Coen, perched at the front, betrayed his impatience through nces at his phone, frustration etched on his features.


    “Why hasn’t the game started yet?” He grumbled, his toneced with irritation.


    A nearby voice, seeking to soothe the tension, chimed in, “Why so impatient, Mr.


    Pearson? Already figured out how to win those billions?”


    Coen, the epitome of self-assurance, shed a wide grin, radiating confidence and ambition.


    “When ites to games, I never lose.


    Even if I don’t win the ind, making a few billion would be just fine.


    ”


    His words sparked a chorus of agreement, echoing his sentiments with fervor.


    Among them, those who hadmitted to the contract shared a unified anticipation for the promised rewards.


    Amidst the fervor, a lone staff member entered from outside, casting a hush over the room.


    “Everyone, quiet down.


    Our boss has arrived.


    ”


    Hannah turned her gaze towards the entrance, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic figure orchestrating the event.


    A figure cloaked in darkness, adorned with a rabbit-headed mask, stepped into the room, casting an eerie aura that unsettled Hannah.


    The mask, an unsettling amalgamation of the familiar and the grotesque, emitted an uncanny presence, stirring a sense of difort within her.


    Yet, her surprise peaked as she recognized the figure trailing behind.


    Atticus.


    His customary arrogance was gone, reced by a subdued demeanor as he followed silently.


    His eyes, however, betrayed a glimmer of excitement as they met Hannah’s and Bryson’s, almost prompting an eager wave from him.