Chapter 49 Late Night Revelation

• Aemilio sat in his home workspace, the glow of the computer screen illuminating the lines of worry etched across his face. The night had turned quiet, the rest of the mansion tucked away in slumber, but his mind was anything but restful. Reports of the recent attack still loomed large, and he had buried himself in work, trying to manage the aftermath of the chaos that threatened to engulf him.
• He was focused on a particularly dense document when he heard the soft padding of footsteps outside the door. At first, he thought it might be one of the staff, perhaps coming to check on him or offer assistance. But the footsteps grew faint, and curiosity got the better of him. Aemilio stood, stretching his limbs, and stepped out into the hallway, drawn by the sound.
• As he made his way through the darkened corridors, he turned a corner and stopped short, his breath catching in his throat. There stood Evangelina, her silhouette barely discernible in the low light, a water jug clutched awkwardly in her hands. She appeared confused, glancing around as if trying to navigate a maze in the shadows.