[INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT]
Julien, wrists tied to a chair, watches Clara as she slowly circles him like a predator savoring its prey. The room is cold and dark, dimly lit by a flickering lamp.
CLARA(with a sly smile)You know, Julien, I never really understood why you thought you could just forget me… erase me so easily.
JULIEN(trying to stay calm)Clara, nothing you're doing will bring back what we lost.
Clara stops abruptly, her gaze darkening.
CLARAWhat we lost? You're the one who took everything, Julien. My future, my reputation… my life!
She slams her hand on the metal table in front of her, making Julien flinch.
CLARA(sarcastic)But of course, you're the hero. The one who always comes out on top, moving forward, succeeding.
JULIENClara, I never wanted this. If you blame me for what happened back then… talk to me. We can resolve this another way.
CLARA(bitterly laughing)You really think I'm here to talk?
She pulls a USB drive from her pocket and holds it up.
CLARASee this? All the evidence I've gathered against you. Documents, messages… They paint a very compelling story, Julien: your involvement in shady deals, embezzlement, sabotaging projects.
JULIEN(shocked)That's not true!
CLARA(smirking)Of course it isn't. But who do you think people will believe? Me, with tangible evidence, or you, the perfect man who always seems to have something to hide?
[INT. JULIEN'S APARTMENT – AT THE SAME TIME]
Thomas, still recovering, sits on the couch, nervously glancing at his phone. Julien isn't answering his calls. Something feels wrong.
He dials Sophie's number.
THOMASSophie, Julien's missing. He mentioned that warehouse, but he didn't tell me exactly where it is.
SOPHIE(concerned)He didn't tell me either. But if Clara's behind this, she wouldn't let him go easily.
THOMASWe have to find him.
Sophie pauses, thinking quickly.
SOPHIEI'll call the inspector and see if we've got any information on Clara. In the meantime, stay ready. I'm sending a driver to bring you to me.
[INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – LATER]
Julien tries to buy time, searching for a weakness in the ropes binding his wrists.
JULIENClara, think about what you're risking. The police are on your trail. What you're doing will only lead to another cell.
CLARA(cutting)So what? At least I'll take you down with me.
She leans in closer, her eyes intense.
CLARABut you know what? I'm not just going to ruin your career. I want to see you lose everything you care about.
JULIEN(firmly)You won't scare me.
Clara chuckles softly, but the gleam in her eyes betrays her frustration.
CLARAOh, Julien… It's not you I'm targeting.
She steps away, leaving her words hanging in the air. Julien feels a cold sweat run down his back.
[EXT. WAREHOUSE STREET – NIGHT]
Thomas, Sophie, and a group of police officers arrive at the warehouse identified in the decrypted files. The area is eerily silent, almost too quiet.
INSPECTOR(gesturing discreetly)Stay behind us.
The officers advance, weapons drawn, while Thomas and Sophie follow at a distance.
[INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – CONTINUATION]
Clara looks at her phone. A notification pops up: an alert from an external camera.
CLARA(with a sinister smile)Looks like your friends are here.
JULIEN(pleading)Clara, stop this before it's too late.
CLARA(extending her arm)Too late? Julien, it's been too late for years.
She pulls out a remote and presses a button. A series of metallic clanging sounds echo through the building, reverberating down the corridors.
[EXT. WAREHOUSE – CONTINUATION]
The officers move through the warehouse, but a series of doors suddenly slam shut, separating them into smaller groups.
INSPECTOR(shouting)She's set a trap for us!
Thomas, who stayed at the rear, is separated from Sophie. He tries to navigate around the obstacles, but his concern for Julien pushes him to move forward alone.
[INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – CONTINUATION]
Julien sees an opportunity as Clara becomes distracted by the cameras. With a desperate effort, he manages to free one of his hands and begins discreetly working on the other.
CLARA(ironically, without turning around)You can try, but you won't leave this place alive, Julien.
Julien freezes, surprised that she noticed, but he doesn't stop trying to free himself.
[INT. WAREHOUSE CORRIDOR – CONTINUATION]
Thomas, cautiously moving forward, hears voices in the distance.
THOMAS(shouting)Julien!
CLARA(off, mockingly)Oh, look who's come to the rescue.
Julien feels his heart stop for a moment.
JULIEN(to Clara)Leave him out of this!
CLARA(laughing)It's too late for that.
She heads for the door, ready to confront Thomas. Julien, finally free of his restraints, rises quickly.
[INT. WAREHOUSE CORRIDOR – FACE-OFF]
Clara and Thomas come face to face. She holds a metallic object in her hand, threateningly.
CLARA(with a cold smile)So, you're Julien's great love. What a shame…
THOMAS(firmly)Clara, you won't get away with this.
CLARAOh, but I'm not trying to. My goal is to make you suffer.
She raises the weapon, but Julien suddenly appears behind her and disarms her with strength he didn't know he had.
They struggle, and Julien finally manages to pin her down.
[INT. WAREHOUSE – LATER]
The police arrive, apprehending Clara once again.
Thomas rushes to Julien, pulling him into a tight embrace.
THOMAS(emotionally)I thought I lost you.
JULIEN(exhausted)Not this time.
As Clara is led away, she turns to Julien one last time, her gaze icy.
CLARA(in a menacing voice)You'll never win.