The concrete room reeked of sweat and despair. Two young women stood before their shackled father—his eyes sunken but soul still fighting.
"Papa, are you alright?" Karen asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Simon coughed, raising his chained hands slightly. "I'm fine... I'm sorry, girls. I didn't mean for any of this."
"Don't, Pops," Karen cut in, eyes glistening. "We're okay. We'll do anything to get you out of here."
Ndeshi pulled out a photo, sliding it across the table to him. "Remember her?"
Simon squinted. "Is that... Paige?"
"You know her?" Karen asked sharply.
Simon's eyes widened with a pain that dug deeper than fear. "Yes... she was one of us—our top spy. But she left the agency. Wait—she protected Nathan?"
"Yes," Ndeshi said, jaw clenched. "She's the reason our mission failed last night."
Simon sat back, defeated. "Paige... that girl's not just a spy. She's a diamond—more valuable than you can imagine."
Karen leaned forward. "Then let's sell her, Pops. Use her as leverage to buy your freedom—"
"No!" Simon roared, the chains clanging against the table. "I said no. And I command it."
The girls exchanged stubborn looks, but Simon's eyes pleaded.
"She's alive. That's a blessing. You don't betray her."
Before they could speak again, a guard barged in. "Time's up."
"It hasn't even been five minutes!" Ndeshi protested.
"You heard me," the guard snapped.
With reluctant goodbyes, they turned and left.
Outside, they entered a dimly lit chamber where their boss sat—always masked, always watching.
Karen stood tall. "That's Paige Samuels. She owns Aid. She's married to Nathan. As long as she's alive, our mission will never succeed."
"I don't care about Aid," the boss said coldly. "I want Nathan dead."
"Then you need her gone," the man beside him added. "Paige is Aid."
"Exactly," Karen said. "She'll take back the company and protect Nathan. We need her."
Ndeshi stepped forward. "We capture Paige. Use her to unlock the weapon. Kill her. Sell the weapon—it's worth N$10 billion. Then kill Nathan. In return, you release our father."
The boss's eyes gleamed behind the mask. "Are you sure about this woman?"
"Yes, Boss," the man confirmed.
"And this... Aid is truly worth N$10 billion?"
"Yes," Ndeshi nodded. "But only Paige has the passcode."
The boss stood. "Bring her to me."
"And our father?" Ndeshi asked.
"Bring me Paige," he said, already turning away, motioning for his man to find a buyer.
From his cell, Simon watched them go, his heart sinking in disappointment.
Elsewhere…
Nathan opened the door to his suite, nearly colliding with Monica, who stormed past in full uniform.
"Kiddo—"
Monica raised her middle finger without breaking stride.
He followed. "Monica, I'm sorry, okay?"
She spun around. "No, you're not. And I'm not even mad anymore. But I'll say this—whatever stunt you pulled out there? Just fuel for me to prove Catty is not your heroine."
"Can you chill? For your hero, at least. I need this."
"A hero needs a heroine, Nate. I'll find yours for you," she said, disappearing down the hall.
Nathan stood still, frowning at her shadow.
At the Resort office…
"Vicky! Thank God," Jack called out as she entered. "I was just talking about you."
"Good morning, Mr. Jack. Hope your morning was as good as your voice sounds."
He laughed. "Last night was a blast. Everyone's talking about you!"
"Told ya," Vicky smirked. "It's in my blood. Mom's a chef, Dad ran a restaurant. Culinary skills are inherited."
"Perfect timing. I've got another event, and the client wants you personally."
"Oh? What kind of event?"
"An engagement. This Friday."
Vicky paused, conflicted. "This Friday?"
"Something planned?"
"Kind of... but I'll see what I can do."
"So, I can confirm with the client?"
"Yes."
Jack dialed. Vicky returned to her cabin, shoulders tense.
"That's just great," she muttered. "I'll hand the post to Tonia and handle Kuku's event. Mom's surgery is this week… Thank you, God!"
Meanwhile, back at the intelligence office…
Robert and Natasha sifted through leads. Another officer stepped in.
"No trace of Simon yet," he said.
But in the shadows of his cell, Simon was making moves. He approached the guard.
"I need a phone."
"Not allowed."
"I forgot to tell my girls about my diabetes meds. I'll die in a few days without them. You don't want that on you."
"I'll tell the boss."
"He doesn't know where I keep them."
"Then you tell me."
"Sure, just… get me some water first?"
The guard left. Simon reached into his mouth, yanked out a golden molar. It blinked red.
He shoved it back just as the guard returned.
"Drink. I'm not undressing you."
Simon drank, letting water drip down his chin—and over the tooth. The glass returned stained with blood.
"Bathroom?" he asked innocently.
Moments later, Natasha's bracelet buzzed.
"It's Simon!" she gasped.
"Hey," Simon's voice crackled. "I don't have much time. I'm being held by the group trying to kill Nathan. They're using my daughters."
"What?" Robert said. "Who's behind this?"
"I don't know. I've seen nothing but prison walls."
"Why target Nathan?" Natasha asked.
"They think he knows something. About them. And now… they want Paige."
"Paige? But she's—"
"She's alive," Simon said. "Karen tried to kill Nathan last night. Paige protected him."
The guard's footsteps echoed nearby. Simon faked a coughing fit. The guard peeked in, recoiled, and left.
"Nathan's marrying Paige. To them, Paige is Aid. As long as she's with him, their mission fails."
"So, they have Aid?" Robert asked.
"Maybe. But only Paige can unlock it."
"We don't even know where she is," Natasha said, panicked.
"Ruben might," Simon replied. "He's close to Nathan."
Suddenly, medics entered Simon's cell.
"Uh-oh. Gotta go," Simon said, cutting the signal.
"We promised to keep you healthy," the masked boss said, watching Simon like a lab rat.
Back at headquarters, Natasha processed the info.
"Paige… Nathan's wife?"
"Ruben never mentioned it," Robert added.
"We're out of time," Natasha said. "Karen and Ndeshi are probably on their way to her. We need to find her first."