chapter 1
( A humble request to all of you: please read the story patiently.
The ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ marker is used to show the current storyline.
The ////////// marker, on the other hand, is used to indicate a flashback.
My stories are very complicated, so please read them patiently. I can promise you that you will find them very interesting. )
**Weather Forecast**
A pretty news anchor on France 24 was reporting that today's weather would be very pleasant, and people all across Paris were listening, when suddenly the words "BREAKING NEWS" appeared across the entire screen in white lettering over red.
Breaking news. Breaking news.
The anchor spoke in a serious tone. "We have just received information that unidentified men opened fire indiscriminately at Café de Flore this morning. According to our correspondent, there were not many casualties in the attack. However, we are hearing that Minhal Hayat, the CEO of GID Company, is in critical condition. She was present at the café during the attack and has been taken to hospital."
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Mornings in Paris were always beautiful, but this morning was even brighter and clearer than usual. The sun's rays touched the dark old buildings, and the faint aroma of coffee and bakeries drifted through the air. Café de Flore was packed, as it always was, bustling with life on every side. In the middle of that bustle, Mehrab Sultan walked into the café with confidence. She wore a long white dress that fell below her knees, with matching trousers. In that outfit she looked like a masterpiece of Eastern modesty and modern elegance. Her silky hair fell to her shoulders, and with her long eyelashes and fair, milky complexion, her beauty was striking. She sat down at a table by the window and watched the people moving about outside.
Suddenly, her phone rang. The moment she put it to her ear, the expression on her face changed. She looked stunned and troubled, as if the person on the other end had told her something she had never expected. Just then, a waiter came up to her.
"Yes, ma'am, how can I help you?"
She quickly ended the call and turned to the waiter. "I'd like a cup of coffee."
The waiter nodded. "Would you like anything else with it?" he thought it only right to ask.
"A croissant and some pastries?"
Mehrab shook her head calmly. "No. Just a cup of coffee, please. Quickly."
"Yes, ma'am." With that, the waiter left.
She turned her phone back on and began reading articles and notifications. The more she read, the more astonished she became. The restlessness in her eyes was visible once again. Soon the waiter returned with her order and set the cup of coffee down in front of Mehrab.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked politely.
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Hiding her worry, Mehrab put a smile on her face. "No, thank you."
After the waiter left, she set her phone down on the table and picked up the cup. Lost in thought, she brought the coffee to her lips. She had barely taken a single sip when the terrifying sound of gunfire — *BOOM* — shook the whole café. Mehrab's body jerked violently, and in one instant she collapsed to the floor. The red blood flowing from her head had already stained her white dress crimson. The scene was so horrifying that the people in the café ran around wildly, desperate to save their own lives, while Mehrab's body lay on the floor, soaked in blood.
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In a grand, historic room in the city, a man sat in silence when his phone suddenly rang. The moment he saw the name on the screen, he answered at once. A heavy voice came from the other end.
"Sir, your work is done. I've killed her. Now give me the rest of my money."
The man, who had been leaning back in his chair, immediately sat up straight. "Are you telling the truth?" he asked in astonishment.
"Yes."
The short reply from the other end turned the shock on the man's face into joy.
"Now send me the remaining payment," the voice demanded.
Hiding his delight, he said, "Of course, I have no doubt about what you say, but how can I be sure? Give me proof that the girl is dead. I want a photo." It was a demand.
"Fine. I'll send you the photo, and you send me the money," the voice said flatly.
"Of course." With that, he ended the call.
A little while later, a notification arrived on his phone. The moment the man opened it, his joy knew no bounds. At the sight of Mehrab's blood-soaked body, a strange smile spread across his face, as if he had conquered the whole world. He leapt up in delight. His greatest enemy was now out of his way.
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A slap echoed across the entire room. *Smack!*
"I told you a thousand times to stick to her like a shadow! What do you take my money for?" Minhal was furious, her voice extremely loud. The elderly guards standing in front of her immediately lowered their heads in fear.
"Ma'am, we apologize. We didn't realize..." one of the guards said, gathering his courage.
But Minhal cut him off. "What are you trying to say? If anything happens to her today, you will be responsible. I spend so much money on you, and I have enough power to pull the skin off every one of you!"
She was enraged by the incident at Café de Flore, which she had been informed of only a short while ago.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
⭐✨ Thank you so much for reading the very first chapter of my book! I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for your time and support. These aren’t just words; they are my genuine feelings as an author starting this exciting journey.
If you enjoyed the story, please take a moment to leave a quick comment and share your thoughts. Your feedback, support, and encouragement mean the absolute world to me, and reading your thoughts will bring so much joy to my heart! 💖📚✨
