Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace ( Dexter )

Zoe's body had vanished. Finn and Robin scoured the area but came up empty-handed. It was likely Annora who had taken it, but with Annora now dead, no one knew where Zoe's remains had ended up.

"Annora was part of the Rebellion Syndicate. The organization was bound to take her out. She purposely let the syndicate's goons snatch her, aiming for the cops to trace them back to their hideout and rescue those kidnapped 'prodigies,"" I whispered, setting my cup of coffee on the table. "That move tore a hole in the organization's operations."

The organization had a sprawling criminalwork that spanned from human trafficking to hical medical experiments, including gene cloning, and even a global supply chain for organ transplants, surrogate pregnancies, and various substances used in the beauty and anti-aging industry.

Every day, tens of thousands of people disappeared worldwide, becoming like lambs led to slaughter, eventually served up as a feast for those at the top of the societal pyramid.

They 'feasted' on human blood, 'gnawed' on human bones, trampling over life and human rights.

Finally, a group of people emerged, ready to fight back against the darkness and the organization. This group, starting with a series of serial killings, set the stage for a deadly game.

Entering the game meant facing a dead end.

Dylan had said as much in the ruins of an old building.

Every rebel against the organization was both a victim and a murderer. From the moment they joined the fight, they were stepping into a deadly trap.

Annora was no different.

She knew she was marked for death, so she threw herself into the fray, using her fragile body to tear a corner off the Gene-Forge Collective's veil of deceit, exposing the darkness underneath.

"The police will continue to investigate, it's going to be a long process, but with the rescued 'prodigies,' they're bound to uncover more leads and keep digging," Bran shrugged. "So, it's time for us to get back on track. I need to focus on my college entrance exams, and you guys need to get on with your lives. We'll leave the rest to the cops."

What Bran meant was, we've done our part, now it's up to the police to take over the investigation.

"If darkness is dense, sunlight struggles to prate," I murmured, glancing at Colin.

Though it seemed we had made a crack in the clouds, achieving clear skies was an even tougher battle.

"Sir, Matthew has acquired a 15%

stake in the Langley Group and has entered its board. Moreover, he's

established his own company, Matthew Rising Co., in Sea City, focusing on cultural media, business management, and tourism, among others. He's got a wide coverage and managed to secure investments in record time, allowing his branches to expand rapidly," Eric reported to Colin as he walked in.

I took a sip of my coffee, deep in thought.

Matthew was a smart one, knowing how to mize his intellect and skills. He was showing off his power.

Now with tangible assets, although

l

his new ventures couldn't yet compete with the likes of the Fitzgerald family and other established enterprises, his future looked promising, setting him up for a potential fortune.

"People outside are laughing at you, thinking you sold the Langley Group for peanuts without gaining any advantage from the All-Stars Consortium," Bran said with a raised

"They're calling you a fool,"

eyebrow, a smirk directed at

"Selling it off might be for the best," I replied instinctively, gripping Colin's hand tightly.

I was becoming... selfish, not wanting him to be a pawn at the top of the food chain.

The so-called entry into the game being a dead end, I didn't want Colin to get entangled in it.

"Henry's here," the old gardener stuttered, gesturing from the yard. Eric glanced over, then back at Colin.

Here we go again, Henry and his entourage of Langley family vampires were at our doorstep.