In the dimly lit party room, shadows danced across the walls as the lights flickered and died, plunging the space into darkness. In that moment of uncertainty, instinct took over as I pulled Alice close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. Her arms wrapped around my neck, seeking solace in the chaos.

"Stay close to me," I whispered urgently, my heart racing with a mix of fear and determination.

As the sounds of panic filled the air—shouts, screams, and the frantic patter of feet—I felt a sudden, sharp tug, ripping Alice from my embrace.

My eyes strained against the darkness, only to be met with the chilling sight of Ron, his silhouette illuminated by the eerie flashes of emergency lights, holding a knife perilously close to Alice's throat.

Anger surged through me, hot and consuming, but before I could react, a wave of relief washed over as I saw the officers and detectives flood into the room, their presence a beacon of hope in the chaos. They moved swiftly, their training evident as they apprehended the drug dealers with precision.

Amidst the chaos, two officers advanced towards Ron, their guns drawn with steely resolve. Ron, his hands trembling with fear as he clutched the weapon, issued a desperate ultimatum.

"If you take one step closer, she will die," he threatened, his voice quivering with desperation.

My gaze darted around the room, searching for an opening, a way to end this nightmare. And then, in a moment of sheer brilliance, I saw it—the opportunity to distract Ron, to give Alice a chance to escape.

"Ron, behind you!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the tense silence.

Ron's head snapped around, his grip on Alice faltering for a split second. It was all she needed. With a swift, decisive strike, she delivered an elbow to his stomach, causing him to double over in pain.

With a gasp of pain, he dropped his weapon, and she sprinted into my waiting arms.

As the officers closed in, Ron was swiftly subdued, his reign of terror brought to an end. In that moment, amidst the chaos and danger, love had prevailed, and Alice was safe in my arms once more.

In the aftermath of the ordeal, as the adrenaline began to ebb away, I held Alice close, her trembling form a testament to the terror we had both endured. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one question still lingered unanswered: where was Elizabeth?

As Alice trembled in my arms, her fear radiating through her trembling body, I held her close, my own heart racing with a mixture of worry and determination. The chaos of the party room seemed to swirl around us, but in that moment, my focus was solely on comforting Alice, on shielding her from the terror that threatened to engulf us.

Through the haze of panic, I caught sight of Rachel darting towards us, her expression a blend of concern and urgency. With a quick exchange of words, I entrusted Alice into Rachel's capable hands, the weight of responsibility momentarily lifted as I pressed a tender kiss to Alice's forehead, a silent promise of protection.

With Alice safe for the moment, I plunged back into the fray, my senses on high alert as I scoured the room for any sign of Elizabeth. But despite my frantic search, she remained elusive, her absence a stark reminder of the danger still lurking in the shadows.

With a sigh of resignation, I made my way to the waiting lift, the metallic doors sliding open to welcome me. Stepping inside, I jabbed at the button for the ground floor, the lift whirring to life as it began its descent.

Thoughts raced through my mind, pondering how Elizabeth could have slipped away so effortlessly.

Suddenly, the lift jerked to a halt, mid-floor, the doors sliding open with a soft hiss. And there she stood, Elizabeth, her presence both surprising and alarming.

Aww, looks like the prey came to me instead! SURPRISE!

Without hesitation, I reacted, delivering a swift, decisive blow that sent Elizabeth crashing to the ground. With a surge of adrenaline, I pulled her limp form into the confines of the elevator, my hands trembling with a mix of rage and relief.

Phew! That was easy.

The doors closed behind us, sealing us in a cocoon of silence. Then the lift shuddered to a halt, its mechanical whirring echoing through the confined space as the doors slid open. In the dim light of the top floor, I found myself face-to-face with a figure cloaked in familiarity—Robert. His piercing gaze bore into mine, the glint of handcuffs catching my eye as he extended them towards me.

"Here you go, tie her up," he instructed, his voice calm but firm.

My heart raced as I braced myself, ready to defend against any trickery. "You think I will fall for that?" I retorted, a hint of defiance in my voice.

Ignoring my protest, Robert pressed forward, his movements deliberate as he knelt beside Elizabeth's prone body. With practiced ease, he secured the handcuffs around her wrists, lifting her effortlessly as he spoke.

"Let's go. Our job is done," he declared, gratitude lacing his words. "Thanks for catching her. She escaped as soon as I tried to apprehend her. Looks like she already figured out that I'm a cop."

As his words sank in, a realization dawned upon me. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, aligning with what the DCS had hinted at—a detective undercover within Elizabeth's mansion. It all made sense now; Robert was the missing link, the covert operative tasked with bringing Elizabeth to justice.

Looks like I was wrong about him.

With a nod of understanding, I fell into step beside Robert, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.

Walking alongside Robert, a sense of relief washed over me as we entered the party room, where a tangled web of deceit had finally unraveled. The drug dealers, including Elizabeth's own relatives, stood subdued, their faces a portrait of defeat. It was a moment of triumph, a culmination of tireless effort and unwavering determination.

But amidst the sea of victory, a familiar tap on my shoulder jolted me back to reality. Turning, I found Shoyo standing beside me, his presence a welcome sight amidst the chaos.

"Hey, you good?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Surprised by his sudden appearance, I couldn't help but inquire, "Shoyo, what are you doing here?"

With a casual shrug, Shoyo explained his role in the operation, his words infused with a sense of pride.

"Nothing much, just playing my part. My job was to ensure no one left the mansion. With my speed, I was basically a human roadblock!"

A smile tugged at my lips as I absorbed his words, grateful for his steadfast support. But amidst our exchange, concern for his sister lingered in the back of my mind.

"What about your little sister? Did they find her? Is she okay?" I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

Shoyo's smile brightened, illuminating his face with a radiant joy. "Yes, they did. They saved her. She was inside the mansion all this time, and they even promised to cure her illness. They rescued others too; their identities will soon be revealed."

Relief flooded through me, a weight lifted from my shoulders as I exhaled deeply.

"That's great," I murmured, genuine happiness coloring my words. "I'm glad everything worked out well."

With a nod of farewell, I parted ways with Shoyo, my thoughts turning to Alice. Moments later, I found her amidst the crowd, her presence a beacon of warmth in the tumultuous room. Without hesitation, I approached, a wide smile gracing my lips as I lifted her gently into a spin. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she protested, "Alvin, stop! Everyone's looking at us."

Awareness washed over me as I glanced around, met with a sea of incredulous stares from the surrounding officers. Heat rose to my cheeks as I gently set Alice back on her feet, a sheepish grin betraying my embarrassment. Amidst the chaos of the moment, one thing remained certain—victory was ours, and in each other's arms, we found solace amidst the storm.

As Alice delicately tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Robert's approach interrupted our moment of quiet reflection. His words, though simple, carried a weight of urgency.

"Let's go DCS is calling us in HQ," he instructed, his demeanor conveying the gravity of the situation.

With a nod of agreement, I assured him, "Okay, sure."

Turning back to Alice, I offered her a reassuring smile. Finally, it was over. We were liberated from the clutches of Elizabeth, free to move forward without the shadow of her influence looming over us.

As Alice and I stepped out of the mansion, Robert awaited us beside a sleek Honda Accord. With a sense of anticipation, we settled into the car, the engine humming to life as Robert skillfully navigated the streets toward the hotel.

Upon arrival, we navigated the familiar halls until we reached the elevator, its metallic doors opening to welcome us into the sanctuary of the detectives' office.

As we stepped out onto the ground floor, Robert halted us before the door to the DCS's office.

"Okay, Alvin you go inside. DCS wants to speak with you. It's really important and private," he directed, his tone conveying a sense of solemnity. "Alice, you wait here with me, okay?"

Alice nodded in understanding, her expression a blend of apprehension and trust. With a reassuring squeeze of her hand, I ventured into the office, the weight of anticipation heavy upon my shoulders.

I stepped into the office, where the DCS sat engrossed in conversation, her presence commanding yet welcoming.

Motioning for me to take a seat, she acknowledged my arrival with a nod, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination. Settling into the chair opposite her, I braced myself for the conversation that awaited, knowing that whatever revelations emerged would shape our future in ways unforeseen.

DCS gently set her phone aside, her attention now solely focused on me.

"I called you here to thank you personally," she began, her voice carrying a mix of respect and gratitude. "I heard that you caught Elizabeth. Thank you for catching her."

My response was humble, almost hesitant. "Um... I was just doing my job."

A soft chuckle escaped DCS as she leaned forward, her eyes warm with appreciation.

"Yes, you were doing your job," she agreed, her tone soft but sincere. "Still, thank you. I want to reward you for your efforts. That's the main reason I called you here. I would have simply given you money as a reward, but since you are so young and under 18, I can't give you that. I hope you understand that. So tell me, is there any wish you have or something that you would like me to do? I will do anything."

I shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet her gaze as I spoke. "To be honest," I admitted quietly, "I didn't do anything. I was just lucky that I found Elizabeth and knocked her down as soon as I saw her. It was just luck. I really don't deserve any of this."

DCS's eyes widened in surprise, a glimmer of admiration shining through. "I am shocked," she remarked, her voice soft but genuine. "You are very honest and aren't selfish at all. If another person were in your shoes, they would've accepted the reward easily."

I am actually very selfish," I confessed, the weight of my words heavy on my heart.

"All I ever did is to follow my own way. I only did what I thought was right without caring how others felt. I'm not gonna lie, ever since this all started to happen, all I did was lie to Alice about love. I didn't even give her my attention that much. When I arrived in Miami, I had the chance to call her, talk about her, ask how her day went, but I didn't. I focused only on what's in front of me."

DCS's response was unexpected, her expression a mix of surprise and understanding. "I wasn't expecting to hear that from you," she admitted softly.

Wiping away a tear with trembling hands, I apologized, feeling the weight of my confession bearing down on me.

"I am sorry for saying this in front of you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "I will just keep my mouth shut. About the reward, I don't really expect anything since I haven't done anything. I hope you understand me."

Suddenly, DCS rose from her chair, her movements deliberate as she walked toward me with purpose. "Get up," she instructed gently, her tone carrying a hint of compassion.

Obeying her command, I rose to my feet, uncertain of what was to come. Without warning, she enveloped me in a tight embrace, her arms offering solace and understanding. In that moment, her embrace felt like Alice's, wrapping me in warmth and reassurance. Her hands found their way to the back of my head, running her fingers through my hair in a comforting gesture.

"You only did what you thought was right," she reassured me, her words a soothing balm to my troubled soul. "Let's say you made some weird decisions and acted selfishly, but everything worked out alright in the end. Okay?"

Unable to find the right words, I simply surrendered to her embrace, allowing myself to be held in her comforting arms. After a few minutes, she gently pulled away, her gaze softening as she spoke again.

"And not to mention, you didn't have parents, so you didn't have someone to teach you."

There is some truth to that. Parents are the ones who guide their kids, but here I am with no one.

"That's kind of true," I admitted softly, acknowledging the truth in her words.

With a warm smile, she reached out and ruffled my hair affectionately, her touch comforting yet filled with an underlying offer of warmth.

"I heard you are an orphan, so how about this? Wanna stay with me? I would love to adopt you, and not to mention, I would love to have you as my son."

Is she serious about this?

My heart raced with a flurry of emotions, happiness mingling with disbelief at the unexpected offer.

"I appreciate the offer," I replied, my voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I always wanted parents, but unfortunately, I can't."

Sadness flickered in her eyes, a shadow of disappointment crossing her features as she asked, "But why not?"

Summoning a small smile, I met her gaze steadily, the weight of my decision heavy on my heart. "I have someone very close to my heart," I explained softly, "and I want to spend the rest of my life with that person. All I did was follow my own way, but now I want to devote myself to her."

A spark of realization lit up her eyes, followed by a mischievous twinkle dancing within them. She playfully poked my cheek and exclaimed, "Oh... I know who that person is!" Her smirk was playful as she continued, "So what if... I adopt her?"

I blushed as her playful poke grazed my cheek, feeling a rush of warmth spread across my face. With a hint of determination, I replied, "Well, if she's getting adopted, I'm tagging along! It's like – 'buy one kid, get another free! I am not gonna leave her. I want to stay by her side all the time."

She laughed, her hand patting my shoulder affectionately. "Okay, done deal," she agreed, her tone warm with acceptance. "I wouldn't mind, as long as I have kids to take care of. Anyway, you should go to your place, okay? We wkll talk about this tomorrow."

Nodding in agreement, I replied, "Okay, I will tell Alice about this as well."

After expressing my gratitude to the DCS, I turned the knob to leave her office, but a nagging curiosity made me pause. I turned back and spoke, "By the way, I didn't catch your name."

With a warm smile, she revealed, "It's Sarah Walker."

"Ah, okay," I replied, relieved to finally know her name. "Thanks for telling me. It's nice to meet you. I know it's a bit late for that."

Sarah's smile widened as she waved off my apology. "No worries," she reassured me. "Now go back, it's so late."

With a nod of understanding, I turned the doorknob and stepped outside. To my delight, Alice was waiting for me, her presence bringing an instant sense of comfort. We exchanged smiles and held hands as we exited the restaurant, making our way back to my apartment.

Once inside, after refreshing ourselves, Alice slipped into my pajamas, a familiar and comforting ritual that brought a sense of closeness between us. As we settled onto the bed, I broached the topic of adoption, my heart pounding with anticipation.

To my immense relief, Alice's eyes sparkled with joy as she readily agreed. It was all I needed to hear to fill me with happiness and reassurance.

Resting her head on my shoulder, Alice held my hand tightly, intertwining our fingers and squeezing gently. With a soft smile, she whispered, "As long as I am with you, I am happy."

In that moment, surrounded by love and acceptance, I knew that together, we could face anything that lay ahead.

I will be the person who you deserve my love.

But then I realized that I forgot to tell a poem that I made for her.

The words tumbled nervously from my lips, "Hey, wanna hear a poem I made, specially for you?" I managed to stammer out, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

With a glimmer of excitement in her eyes, she eagerly nods, her anticipation palpable. "Yes," she exclaims, her voice filled with curiosity and delight, leaning in a little closer to catch every word.

Taking a deep breath, I began to recite the verses I had crafted with care, each word carrying the weight of my feelings for her. She listened intently, her gaze never leaving mine, as if hanging on every syllable, every emotion woven into the lines.

Under the starlit sky, 
Where trust and love soar high, 
In your eyes, I find my guide, 
With you, my love, I'll abide. 

Your beauty outshines the stars, 
In your embrace, I find no scars. 
Forever in my heart, you'll stay, 
My love for you will never sway. 

I'll cherish you, my dear, each day, 
In this romantic journey, come what may. 
Together, under the sky so blue, 
Forever, I'll treasure you.

In the gentle rustle of leaves,
In the song of breeze,
Your presence lingers,
A timeless tease,
Though time may pass,
And seasons change hue,
In my heart of chambers,
I will always treasure you.

Finally, as the last words fell from my lips, I looked at her, hoping for some sign of approval, some acknowledgment of the effort I had put into expressing my love for her.

But instead of words, her hands reached out, gently cupping my cheeks, her touch sending waves of warmth cascading through me. And then, before I could even register what was happening, her lips met mine in a soft, deep kiss, sealing the moment in a rush of emotion and desire.

Time seemed to stand still as we lingered in each other's embrace, the world around us fading into insignificance. In that moment, there were no words needed, no poems or declarations necessary. Just the silent understanding that our hearts had found their home in each other's embrace.

Meanwhile inside the HQ of
'Vortex Vanguard'

Sarah stood atop the roof, the cold breeze whipping around her, but she paid it no mind. Her heart was light, filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness.

Suddenly, Robert appeared beside her, his presence breaking her reverie. "Aren't you cold out here?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Sarah's smile was radiant as she replied, "Nope, I am not. Right now, I am really happy."

Robert's expression softened as he understood the source of her joy. "About adopting those two, huh?" he guessed.

Sarah nodded eagerly. "Yeah, what else? I am just so happy. I feel like the happiest woman in the world. It's like fate brought us together, you know."

Robert smiled, but his expression grew serious as he spoke again. "You are adopting them. I hope you will take good care of them."

Sarah's gaze dropped, a solemn weight settling upon her shoulders. "I know," she murmured, her voice tinged with determination. "I will do my best to be a good mother and parent to them."

"Yes, you definitely should," Robert agreed firmly. "Not just try, be one. And don't you forget to tell Alvin about your little secret. You don't want to hide that from him any longer, do you?"

Sarah's eyes welled with tears at the mention of Alvin. "I will tell him when the time is right," she promised, her voice trembling with emotion.

Robert's gaze softened with understanding as he spoke gently, "You should, because he deserves to know the truth. He really suffered a lot and definitely did not have a good childhood."

Tears spilled down Sarah's cheeks as she nodded in agreement. "Yes, I will tell him. I had my reasons to put him in 'Little Voices' orphanage, but now he's come back to me, and that's all that matters to me."

As the weight of her past decisions hung heavy in the air, Sarah found solace in the hope of a brighter future, filled with love, understanding, and the bonds of family reunited.