The city streets pulsed with mid-morning energy, a stark contrast to the hushed tension Linsy carried within her. The confrontation at Kairo's estate lingered like a bad taste, and the colossal image of Violet Bento seemed to leer from every other billboard. This supply run was a necessary distraction.

Their first stop was a bustling wholesale store for the office provisions. Sarah, ever efficient, had the cart loaded with an assortment of teas, creamers, and sparkling waters in minutes, her ...