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FASHION AND CRIME

Chapter 4 Breathless Fears

Word Count: 2729    |    Released on: 15/06/2025

herself together. "I didn't know what they were going to do. They just took the keys and handed them to one of the others, who went straigh

ut and placed her hand gently on Amanda's, squeezing it softly for comfort. "Amanda, I'm

age. "Those cowards. How di

don't know. It's like th

dened. "Did the

couldn't found and her voice was barely audible. "No, bu

, the only sound was

nderstand. She shook her head now and t

hink they set it on purpose. The smoke... the sirens..

and. "You did the right thing, Amanda. You kept everyone s

fee. "Detective James takes these cases seri

st wish it didn't happen at all. I keep thin

red her. "We'll get through this. And m

ll," Ton

, feeling comforted by her h

he police ask y

wearing masks. They also asked why I gave them the safe keys; like it wasn't obvious I was

. "Mom, I cleaned up my toys! Aunt Anita

I finish talking to your m

Danny said, bounc

'The Best Fashion Designer Award' again!" she excla

year too, righ

nia is so talented,"

nita looked at the clock. She ne

up. "I'll be late for work if I don't

er with a sad smile. "I w

hoping you could spe

work's waiting," An

sorry, but I won't be able to p

ce fell. "

"Don't worry, Aunt Anita will com

, Aunt Anita, promise

I promise. We'll have a

h. "You don't have mu

a quick shower and get ready. In a few minutes, she w

le on her face. "Alright, I'm off. Dan

Drive safe!" Danny

to Amanda and Tony, and hurried to her

ately reached for her phone. She saw four missed calls from Russell and si

r alarm had been ringing for a while, and she quickly silenced it. Just then, she heard

breakfast. Sylvania smiled and filled his

her skin. She dried off quickly, threw on a white blouse, tied a green scarf around her neck, and slipped into a f

ffee, and she walked out of her

he drove out, joining t

he pedal, weaving through cars, dodging potholes and slow taxis. Her phone would

pulled into S

late," she breathed

and hurried to the door, not even noticing

ted her. Shiny balloons floated near the ceiling, streamers were spread out on

LATIONS,

ed, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug. Her curly brown hair bounced as she rocked Sylvania from side to s

vian's joy. "That's amazing!" she said, a

she pulled Sylvania into another hug. "Wow, Sylvania! You're a star!" she s

She placed a hand on her chest, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, guys," s

ing voice cut through the ch

ways serious, but today, there was a rare smile on her face. She opened her arms and gave Sylvania a

e shouted, clapping loudly. The sound of applause fi

se down. "Alright, everyone, back to work!

ks, but the excitement remained. Sylvania stood there for a mome

r felt so pr

or the evening. Before she could touch anything, her pho

morning, Russell! How was

immediately. "I couldn'

st be joking,"

you. Are you free toni

onight. Come if you can. I

ss it. Should

e great. Party

be t

ania typed with a

f fabric patches. "Is that Russell?"

wants to stay in touch. He's

e's serious about you. But fo

ement as she focused on the day's tasks, and she

couldn't stop smiling. His heart felt light, and he stretched his arms above his head, letting out a

sent to Sylvania. His fingers tingled, and a rush of excitement f

my day better," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. His grin widened

e woman of his dreams. Sylvania was smart, funny, and beautiful, and

ly showered with a whistle, dressed, and headed to the dining table, where his breakfast

day," Charlotte said, loo

sell smiled, sipping his co

h you, but you've been acting str

made some good sales this week," Russ

st night. The news says Sylvania Scarlett won again. She's so

was pretty amazing. I

rlotte said, standing up.

ou'll do great," Rus

find something to wear for tonight's event afterward. He qui

inded himself to stay focused on work be

d quiet conversations. There was a light scent of fresh coffee, and his team was already deep

f hope in her voice. She looked beautiful with her d

ering a polite nod.

om one foot to the other. "How was your weekend?"

ne neutral, careful not to encourage anything. He knew Natasha's feeli

ly. Then, gathering her courage, she looked up at him.

hrough his nose. He didn't want to hurt her, but he also couldn't lead

es before she quickly hid it with a small nod. "Of cou

turn her feelings, but that person wasn't him. Pushing the thought aside, he continued tow

is seat at the head of the table. "Good

ning," th

, starting the meeting. "Our clients expect

A slender woman in her early thirties held up he

ase inform me if there are any pro

ussell ended the meeting. "Let's give our best. I know we can ach

othing yet. He knew she was busy, so he didn't worry. Deciding to head to his restaurant

ar smell of food hit him as soon as he walked in, and he smiled at the sigh

oothly?" he asked Mrs.

he replied. "Your u

Russell said, c

shed potatoes. He checked his phone again; still no message from Sylvania.

urant, making sure everything was running smoothly. "Keep up the goo

strict and tried on several outfits until he found one he liked; dark jeans

en with Wendy. "I'll skip dinner toni

Charlotte asked, cra

h some friends," Russell

e mirror, he smiled, and he took a deep breath. He pictured Sylvania'

ell grabbed his k

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1 Chapter 1 A City on Edge2 Chapter 2 The Sound of Applause3 Chapter 3 A Heartbeat Away4 Chapter 4 Breathless Fears5 Chapter 5 The Spotlight6 Chapter 6 The Bank Heist7 Chapter 7 A Fatal Error8 Chapter 8 A Ring of Commitment9 Chapter 9 The Wedding Heist10 Chapter 10 A Fragile Rebuild11 Chapter 11 The Don's Design12 Chapter 12 Winds of Change13 Chapter 13 Shadows of the Mafia14 Chapter 14 Chasing Ghosts15 Chapter 15 The Waiting Game16 Chapter 16 A Turn of Fate17 Chapter 17 The Bait and the Beast18 Chapter 18 Lines of Power19 Chapter 19 The Unforgiven Past20 Chapter 20 The Breaking Point21 Chapter 21 Beyond the Fabric22 Chapter 22 Needles and Nightfall23 Chapter 23 The Duty Between24 Chapter 24 The Radiant Queen25 Chapter 25 Through the Lens26 Chapter 26 The Perfect Distraction27 Chapter 27 The Art of Balance28 Chapter 28 Moments of Recovery29 Chapter 29 Into the Habit30 Chapter 30 Wired for War31 Chapter 31 Paths of Duty32 Chapter 32 Operation La Villa33 Chapter 33 Hope Under Surveillance34 Chapter 34 Pieces of the Puzzle35 Chapter 35 Into the Den36 Chapter 36 The Raid37 Chapter 37 Silent Maneuvers38 Chapter 38 The Name That Haunts39 Chapter 39 The Box of Promises40 Chapter 40 Pieces in Motion41 Chapter 41 The First Flame42 Chapter 42 Transaction of Fates43 Chapter 43 Smoke Signals44 Chapter 44 Vanishing Point45 Chapter 45 The Iron Flames46 Chapter 46 Calculated Risks47 Chapter 47 The Needle Plan48 Chapter 48 Bait on Cotton49 Chapter 49 Dancing with a Ghost50 Chapter 50 Strangers with Secrets51 Chapter 51 Moving Pieces52 Chapter 52 The Curtain Falls53 Chapter 53 Silent Exit54 Chapter 54 Crossed Lines55 Chapter 55 Red Flags56 Chapter 56 Check Mate57 Chapter 57 The Morano Vault58 Chapter 58 To Catch a Mogul59 Chapter 59 Scarlet Cloud60 Chapter 60 The Visit61 Chapter 61 Her Own Now62 Chapter 62 Welcome Aboard63 Chapter 63 Game in Motion64 Chapter 64 The Scarlet Vision65 Chapter 65 The Grand Entrance66 Chapter 66 Beauty and the Gunman67 Chapter 67 The Don's Invitation68 Chapter 68 Imperial Dreams69 Chapter 69 The Bitter Rival70 Chapter 70 Silent Rage71 Chapter 71 Unmasking Truths72 Chapter 72 The Watcher's Sin73 Chapter 73 The Ghost's Guardian74 Chapter 74 Life Reborn