The clock had ticked past midnight, and the mansion's silence felt more weighing heavily with every passing minute.
Victoria glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall, its rhythmic ticking the only sound accompanying her restless thoughts. Her father, Mr. Jaxon, was still not arrived yet. Anxiety gnawed at her, a relentless beast refusing to be ignored.
In her search for answers, Victoria stumbled upon an unexpected find. Behind the dusty photo album that record her family's seemingly perfect life, she found not one but two keys. She held them up to the light, their metallic glint promising secrets waiting to be uncovered.
She sighed deeply, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Why did he have to send Anthony on vacation now, of all times? Oh, right, because he's actually Blaze," she muttered to herself, the revelation of her father's deceit still fresh and bitter.
She paced back and forth, thinking about what to do outside the office in the mansion.
"Should I call him?" she wondered aloud, torn between anger and desperation. "He deceived me, made me believe in him! But I can't afford to waste time now. As much as I hate to admit it, I need his help."
With a determined frown, she pulled out her phone and dialed Anthony's number. The call rang endlessly, a mocking reminder of her growing isolation. She tried again, and again, her frustration growing with each unanswered ring.
"Okay, last attempt. Whatever happens, I'll find out everything tonight."
On the tenth attempt, her persistence yielded no response. Anthony's silence was a wall she couldn't break through. Frustrated and out of options, Victoria slipped her phone back into her pocket and turned her attention to the heavy wooden door of Mr. Jaxon's office. She took a deep breath
As she pushed the door open, her heart skipped a beat. Inside, surrounded by the dim lighting and shadows, stood a man clothed in black, his face covered by a mask. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Instinctively, Victoria's hand moved to her pocket. She drew a small, sharp knife, a habit born from years of self-defense training. With a flick of her wrist, she throw it towards the intruder. But he was quick, too quick, and dodged the blade effortlessly.
Victoria's breath came in shallow gasps as she stared at the masked man, her mind racing with possibilities. Who was he? And what did he want with her father?
"Ohhh... chill!" The mysterious man started, his voice smooth yet edged with a hint of danger.
Victoria's eyes narrowed as she tried to make out his features beneath the shadows. "Who are you? A thief? Did someone send you?" Her questions spilled out in rapid succession, each one sharper than the last.
"You're right," he said, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "And you won't escape alive."
Victoria's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to show fear. She glared at the man, her eyes blazing with bold disobedience.
"Just kidding," he suddenly laughed, the sinister tension breaking like glass.
"Funny?" she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
The man's laughter faded, his face turning serious. He reached up and removed his mask, revealing a familiar face. Victoria's eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and confusion.
"You?" she breathed, recognition dawning. "You’re always with Fiona. Tell me, what does she need?"
He grinned, a playful yet knowing look in his eyes. "I didn't come here under Fiona's orders, you know that, right?"
Victoria raised an eyebrow, suspicion mingling with curiosity. "Then why are you here?"
"I heard you talking to yourself earlier. You already know that Anthony is Blaze."
Her expression turned serious, a cold mask of composure falling over her features. "How do you know?"
"Because," he said, stepping closer, his voice soft but firm, "the truth is, I'm with him. Victoria, we are not enemies. I know you can't fully trust Mr. Jaxon. You don’t truly know him, he shows you a different side."
Victoria's mind raced. Could she trust this man? She watched him closely as he moved to Mr. Jaxon's table, rifling through the documents with ease.
"Really?" she asked, her voice cold and having doubts.
He didn't see it coming. With lightning speed, Victoria grabbed a spray from her pocket, aiming to knock him out. But he was faster. He caught her wrist mid-motion, twisting it just enough to make her drop the spray without hurting her.
"Are you underestimating me, Miss Victoria, or should I say, Miss Mae?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"Damn you!" she spat, wrenching her hands free from his grip.
Axel released her, a smirk playing on his lips as he met her glare with calm resolve. 
"Time is ticking, right? We want the same thing. If we fight, we’ll just waste time, and in a few hours, Mr. Jaxon will arrive."
Victoria rolled her eyes, frustrated but recognizing the truth in his words. "Okay, fine,"