Chapter 1 - The Red Light of TruthMarcus froze. That tiny, blinking red light on the dark hedge wasn't just a gadget; it was a silent witness. Victoria’s breathing hitched beside him, a microscopic shudder that didn't escape his peripheral vision.

"What... what is that?" Victoria stammered, her voice suddenly losing its theatrical weepiness.
"That," Marcus whispered, his voice dropping into a dangerous, icy register, "is the estate’s perimeter security camera. The one I had installed last month to watch the back gate."
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He turned his head slowly, his eyes locking onto Victoria's pale face. Elena remained on the ground, wiping a smear of blood from her lip, her eyes cold, steady, and terrifyingly calm. She didn't need to speak anymore. The camera had already done it for her.
Marcus strode past Victoria, his jaw clenched so tight a muscle ticked. He didn't look back as he marched toward the smart-hub panel inside the back porch, leaving Victoria frozen like a statue carved out of guilt.