When Zashery tells Anthony about Shayla and her mom next plan!

The rain tapped lightly on the windows of Anthony’s apartment, as if nature itself was warning him. He stood by the glass, staring at the misty city skyline, deep in thought. It had been weeks since he had seen Shayla — the girl he once trusted more than anyone. But things had changed. Drastically.

Behind him, the door clicked shut.

"Anthony," came a familiar voice — low, urgent.
He turned quickly. "Zashery?"

Zashery looked soaked from the rain, eyes wild with a mix of fear and determination. He walked forward without waiting for an invitation and placed a sealed envelope on the table.

"It's time you knew everything," he said. "About Shayla. And her mother."

Anthony’s heart skipped. “What are you talking about?”

Zashery pulled out a crumpled photo from his pocket — a surveillance shot. Shayla and her mother, whispering to a man in a gray suit. The man’s face was partially hidden, but Anthony recognized him instantly. Kai.

"Shayla and her mom aren’t who you think they are," Zashery said. “They’ve been planning something. And you were the target from the beginning.”

Anthony froze.

Zashery continued, “Her mother works for an underground intelligence ring. They manipulate people with money, secrets, and lies. Shayla? She was sent to you for a reason — to get access to your father's encrypted files.”

"My father died five years ago," Anthony said, voice cracking. “He had nothing left.”

“That’s what they wanted you to believe,” Zashery said, voice lowering. “But your father had a vault. One that can only be opened with your DNA and voice recognition. Shayla’s mother found out — and now they’re making their move.”

Anthony stared at the photo again, now trembling. “So… all of it? Shayla pretending to care about me? That was fake?”

Zashery hesitated. “Maybe not entirely. But right now, feelings don’t matter. They’re moving tonight. I overheard Shayla talking to her mom in the alley behind The Velvet Room. They plan to lure you there — make it seem like a coincidence. And then drug you.”

Anthony’s mind was spinning. “Why are you helping me?”

Zashery stepped closer, eyes steady. “Because I used to work for them. And I know what happens to people who get in their way. I couldn’t let that happen to you.”

He handed Anthony a small flash drive. “This has everything — intercepted messages, voice recordings, even footage of Shayla copying your apartment keys.”

There was a long pause.

“Do you still trust her?” Zashery asked quietly.

Anthony swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

Just then, Anthony's phone buzzed.

Shayla: Hey… random idea. Want to meet for coffee at The Velvet Room? Just us. Like old times.

Anthony looked up at Zashery. “She’s texting me. Right on schedule.”

Zashery nodded grimly. “Then you’ve got a choice to make. Walk into the trap... or turn the tables.”

Anthony stared at the message for a moment longer, then typed out a reply:

"Sure. Let’s talk."

But in his other hand, he was already reaching for the flash drive.