Chapter 50

• The night stretched on endlessly as I tossed and turned, each tick of the clock serving as a relentless reminder of the chaos that had engulfed my life. 3:27 AM blinked accusingly on the bedside clock, its red digits slicing through the darkness like sharp accusations. Sleep was a distant memory, chased away by the relentless onslaught of thoughts racing through my mind.
• The morning light began to filter through the blinds, casting a cold, unwelcome glow across the room. Dawn brought no relief, only the harsh reality of the nightmare that had unfolded just hours before.
• I sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by scattered papers and my laptop, trying to make sense of the chaos that had consumed my life. My phone vibrated, and I saw Henderson Rhodes's name flashing on the screen. He was the closest thing I had to an ally in this mess, and despite my racing heart, his voice was a reassuring presence amidst the turmoil.