Arizona woke up before Ethan, her gaze lingering on his face as he slept. The dim light of sunrise filtered through the curtains. Her hand still rested in his, the warmth of his grip comforting and reassuring.

She carefully extracted her hand from his without disturbing his slumber, feeling a pang of worry. She moved quietly to avoid waking him, her movements deliberate and soft as he turned way mumbling. As she slipped out of bed, she felt the coolness of the morning air against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth she had just left behind.

Arizona moved to her wardrobe and she chose a simple yet elegant outfit: a tailored navy-blue blazer over a crisp white blouse, paired with dark trousers.

She carefully dressed, buttoning her blouse with practiced ease before slipping on the blazer. As she adjusted her outfit in the mirror, she ran a brush through her hair, gathering it into a neat bun.She tried to show the fact that the French sun left marks on her delicate skin,an intricate lie she tried to tell today.

Her gaze lingered once more on Ethan's form beneath the sheet. The echoes of last night's moments clung to her mind like a persistent fog. With a practiced hand, she lit a cigarette and drew in a slow, deliberate puff, letting the smoke curl upwards as she studied him. She marveled at how easily she had revealed herself, her vulnerability laid bare in the quiet aftermath.

She left the room quietly as a cat went down the stairs quickly.

She approached Thatcher, her expression tense. "I need to know what exactly you told my father about me being in Paris."

Thatcher met her gaze calmly. "I told him that you were upset about the incident at the docks and needed some time to get over this. I said you were in Paris to unwind and that you might be involved with new romantic interests there."

She raised an eyebrow. "You implied that I might be seeing other people?"

Thatcher nodded. "Yes, I added that detail to make the story more believable and to keep him from digging deeper.You know he doesn't care about the things you do there.It seemed like a plausible reason for your absence."

She exhaled, trying to absorb the full impact of the lie. "Alright. I need to be careful about how this is handled to avoid any further complications."

Thatcher gave a reassuring nod. "I'll ensure that any future questions align with what I've said. Let me know if you need anything else."

She thanked him and walked away, her mind already working through the implications of maintaining the carefully constructed lie.

She glided through the streets, her gaze absorbing each building as though she were seeing them for the first time. The familiar sights blurred into a backdrop for her turbulent thoughts. Her mind was clouded with a mixture of emotions and fear, the prospect of confronting her father tightening its grip around her heart.

Arizona's footsteps were light b as she navigated the city's maze-like streets. The morning sun cast long shadows, and the bustling sounds of the city seemed distant, beneath her anxious thoughts. Each corner she turned brought a new reminder of her father's influence, his presence lurking in every familiar landmark
As she neared the docks, the smell of saltwater mingled with the faint aroma of machinery and shipping crates.
The vast expanse of the harbor stretched out before her, the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the piers offering a strange sense of calm amidst her turmoil.

Her heart raced with every step closer to the office. The dock workers moved with practiced ease, their casual chatter contrasting sharply with her inner dread.
She tried to steady her breath, reminding herself of the purpose behind this visit. Today was not just about confronting her father; it was about finding answers that had eluded her for so long.

She searched her pocket for the small key as she tried to steady her breathing.Arizona’s fingers tightened around the small key in her pocket, her heart pounding as she steeled herself for the confrontation with her father. The investigation's gravity weighed heavily on her, each step toward the truth fraught with tension.

The abrupt sound of footsteps startled her. Harold gripped her arms, his face ashen and eyes frantic. “Arizona! I’ve been searching everywhere. Ethan and Diana are missing! I went to Ethan’s place—he’s not there. I left him in a bad state after the docks incident, and I’m afraid something terrible might have happened. I don’t know where they could be. Please, you have to help me find them.”

Arizona's mind raced. She needed to keep her composure and manage Harold’s panic while ensuring her plans remained discreet. Stepping closer, she lowered her voice to a low whisper. “Harold, Ethan and Diana are safe. They’re at my apartment. I didn’t want you to worry, and I can’t risk being exposed. Come to 25 Nob Hill tonight, after dark.”

Harold's expression shifted from desperation to relief, though confusion lingered. Before he could respond, Arizona gripped his arm, her voice sharp and commanding. “Get back to work, Harold, unless you want to share Ethan’s fate. I can’t offer help without a price.”

Harold, understanding the gravity of her words, nodded quickly. With a last glance of gratitude and concern, he hurried out, leaving Arizona alone to face the daunting task ahead.

Arizona unlocked the door and slipped inside, moving with the stealth of a thief. The dim light cast long shadows, making the office appear softer, almost welcoming—a stark contrast to how she had left it weeks ago. Her gaze swept over the room until it landed on the stern figure seated in the armchair, his sharp eyes tracking her every movement.

As her father rose from the chair, a cold smirk played on his lips. “Long time, no see, my dear,” he said, his voice dripping with a mix of mockery and expectation. He stood tall and imposing, his presence as commanding as ever.

"I’m ready to work now, Father," Arizona said firmly, her resolve unshaken despite the tension.

Her father’s smirk widened. “Well, well, let’s not push things too quickly. You’ve just returned. Surely, you need to rest.”

“I think I’ve rested well enough,” Arizona shot back, her voice unwavering.

“And I suppose your time in Paris with those French men has cleared your head nicely?” he taunted, his gaze sharp.

“I’m still furious with you,” Arizona retorted, her anger bubbling to the surface.

“Oh, Arizona,” Conrad said dismissively, waving a hand towards the dockworkers. “You put too much heart into these unworthy dogs.”

Arizona’s eyes flared with indignation. “I’m angry because you hit me! I am your daughter!”

Her father’s expression darkened, and he stepped towards her, grabbing her wrists with an iron grip. “You’re starting to get soft!” he bellowed. “You should have never intervened between me and that bastard. I would never hurt you, darling. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Arizona’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she struggled against his hold. “How can you say that? You think you can just dismiss everything?”

Conrad’s grip tightened, his face a mask of frustration and anger. “So, tell me then, how was Paris, dear? What did you find?”

Arizona’s face hardened as she met his gaze, her voice cold. “Paris was just a distraction—a way to keep myself sane while I figured out how to deal with the mess you’ve created. But I’m here now, and I’m not going to let you brush off your actions with excuses."
Conrad’s grip tightened, his face contorted with frustration and anger. “Oh, Arizona, you’re so quick to forget your place. The world I’ve built is a delicate balance, and every misstep has consequences. I didn’t raise you to be a naive fool. I raised you to be useful.”

Arizona glared at him, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. “Useful? You think you can just use people and discard them when you’re done?”

Her father’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of genuine curiosity mingling with his disdain. “And what exactly do you plan to do about it? Do you think you can challenge me and come out on top? You’re nothing without me.”

Arizona stood quiet not sure of what the right

Conrad’s lips curled into a manipulative smile, concealing the menace beneath. “You think you’re so brave, don’t you? But remember one crucial detail: I have eyes and ears everywhere. You’re in my world now, and you can’t escape it. Now, darling, please make a strong coffee and start sorting those documents. The last few weeks have been quite dull without you. You have a lot of work ahead.”

Arizona’s eyes flashed with contempt, but she masked her fury with a faint, controlled smile. “Yes, Father. Do forgive me for my disobedience.” Her voice was a low, icy whisper, hiding the weight of her true feelings as she turned away.

As she walked towards the small kitchenette, her movements were precise and deliberate, every gesture a careful balance between defiance and obedience. She brewed the coffee with practiced efficiency, her mind racing with thoughts of her plan and the urgency of the situation.

Arizona returned with the small cup of coffee, her movements composed as she handed it to her father. Conrad accepted it with a nod and took a sip, savoring the bitterness of the brew.

“Now, darling, this is better,” he remarked, his voice tinged with satisfaction.

As Conrad sipped his coffee, he turned his attention to the window, his gaze distant and contemplative. “I need to check on the docks,” he said finally. “Make sure everything is running smoothly.”

With a dismissive wave, Conrad left the office, leaving Arizona alone with the mound of documents. As the door clicked shut, she felt a surge of urgency. She had to work quickly and quietly, knowing that being caught would spell disaster.

Her heart raced as she moved to the desk, her fingers skimming over the papers in a frantic search. Each document felt like a dead end, the weight of the investigation pressing heavily on her shoulders. Her breath quickened, and her hands trembled as she rifled through the stacks of paperwork. The ticking of the old clock on the wall seemed to grow louder, a constant reminder of the time slipping away.

Her frustration mounted with every page she examined. The documents seemed to mock her, filled with routine transactions and mundane details that led nowhere. Sweat began to bead on her forehead, and her anxiety grew. The fear of Conrad’s return and the pressing need to uncover the truth made every second feel like an eternity.

Finally, she came across a set of documents related to a tobacco shipment. Her eyes widened as she read the details—large quantities of tobacco were listed, but the weight far exceeded what would be typical for such a shipment. It was clear that something was being concealed. The shipment’s weight and the secrecy surrounding it pointed to more than just a simple cargo.

Arizona quickly located the records indicating where the crates were stored at the docks. With a sense of urgency, she gathered her coat and headed out, moving with the stealth of a thief. The streets of San Francisco felt colder and more foreboding as she made her way to the docks, her mind focused on the task at hand.

Arizona moved cautiously, slipping through shadows and avoiding the patrolling dock workers. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and adrenaline as she reached the location where the crates were stored.

She found the crates hidden in a remote corner of the dock, stacked and covered in tarpaulins to obscure them from casual view. With trembling hands, she pried open one of the crates. The lid creaked as it gave way, revealing the contents inside.

The sight was startling—inside the crate lay a large shipment of guns. The crate was filled with rifles and pistols, each wrapped in protective cloth. The sheer scale of the shipment was overwhelming, and the realization of its implications struck Arizona hard.

The contrast between the crates' carefully concealed contents and the seemingly usual tobacco shipment highlighted the depth of deception. This was no ordinary smuggling operation. The discovery of the weapons made her heart sank as she felt a cold shiver down her spine.

Arizona’s heart raced as she took in the sight, her mind racing with the potential consequences. The danger she faced now felt more tangible than ever, and the urgency to expose the truth grew stronger. She knew that whatever steps she took next could change everything.

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