Realization crashed into them all at once. Faces went pale, lips trembled, and shock froze them in place.
"It was Ryan…" someone finally whispered, their voice shaking.
The name spread like wildfire.
"Right! Right! It was Ryan!"
"Where's Ryan?"
They spun around, scanning the villa in panic. But no matter where they looked, Ryan was nowhere to be found. At some point, unnoticed and silent, he had slipped away.
A heavy silence followed.
Lana smiled faintly, utterly unbothered.
"Don't look so shocked," she said lightly. "Did you really think he acted alone?"
Her eyes narrowed, sharp as blades.
"There was someone else in this group who helped him carry everything out."
Her gaze lingered deliberately.
"So if you can't find Ryan," she added, her tone calm but merciless, "find the one closest to him."
As if guided by an invisible hand, every head turned in the same direction.
Mark.
