Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2021

Estelle nodded, the gun in her hand unwavering as she directed the woman to sit on the edge of the bed.

The woman, fearful yet compliant, obeyed and perched nervously on the mattress.

Moments later, Bernard rushed back in a flurry of concern.

Entering the room, his eyes immediately landed on the seated woman, and with a voice filled with worry, he asked, "Darling, what's wrong?"

Before the woman could muster a reply, a shadow flickered behind him. A heavy blow to the neck sent Bernard crashing into unconsciousness.

The woman, startled, clapped her hands over her mouth in shock.

Estelle watched Bernard's limp form, hearing Amiee's voice in her ear, "Take him to the study. Only his touch can wake the computer. Maybe there I'll find something new."

With a slight nod, Estelle hoisted Bernard up and headed toward the study.

Glancing back at the trembling woman, she kept the gun trained on her. "Come with me!"

The woman, shaking, stood and followed Estelle.

In the study, Estelle propped the unconscious Bernard in a chair and placed his hand on the mouse, booting up the computer.

The alarm remained silent, only a faint glimmer flashed inside the dark mouse, nearly imperceptible.

The computer churned to life, agonizingly slower than the usual startup.

Finally, the screen lit up. Amiee decrypted the password, and Estelle tapped it in, gaining access to the system.

The computer flickered, and a dialog box popped up.

Codes within it leaped rapidly, as if launching some program. Estelle frowned. "Are we accessing the database?"

"I'm not sure," Amiee's voice was tense. "It's an abnormal run code; I can't make it out yet!"

After about thirty seconds, the code halted, the dialog box disappeared, and a new system emerged.

"Estelle, shut it down, now!" Amiee's voice was urgent.

But it was too late.

The new system unveiled a torrent of images that flooded Estelle's vision, revealing the abandoned factory.

Estelle stepped back, panic setting in.

The woman pressed forward, reaching out to peel away the latex mask from Estelle's face. "How long will you wear this facade, deceiving even yourself? You are Stella; don't forget the duty you carry!"

"No!" Estelle's face twisted in conflict, retreating until she bumped into the chair, knocking Bernard to the ground. He grunted, stirring back to consciousness.

Seeing Estelle, he scrambled back in terror. "Who are you?"

Who was she?

Estelle's face was a mask of confusion. Was she Stella or Estelle?

"Ella!"

"Make a wish, and never leave my side!"

Another voice called out to her. The necklace she wore tinkled softly. In a sudden move, she picked up the gun from the floor, aiming it at Bernard.

Her face was pale, her resolve steel-hard, and her eyes as cold as ice. "No matter who I am, you betrayed your comrades, betrayed your country. You must die!"