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"Morning, Anna. Who's on the phone?" Raymond, her husband, asked as he stepped into the bedroom, taking a bite from an apple.

Anna forced a smile, gripping the receiver a little tighter. “Just a wrong number,” she said quickly, turning her back to him.

Lucian’s voice remained steady on the line. “Anna, please. My daughter’s life could depend on this. She is gone for a week now!"

Raymond raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further, instead leaning against the doorframe as he chewed. “Alright, breakfast ready whenever you are.” he said, glancing at her with mild curiosity before walking to the kitchen.

Anna swallowed, her fingers tightening around the phone cord. She lowered her voice. “I told you, I don’t know who Julian Marlowe is.”

Lucian exhaled sharply. “You were his literary editor, Anna. I know that for a fact. And now my daughter, she has disappeared after reading his book. And Julian is dead. Tell me that’s all just a coincidence. The police are not doing anything, you are the only hope! Please! I am willing to pay you one million pound if you could just help me!”

Anna’s heart pounded. Julian is dead? The words sent a tremor through her. She turned slightly, making sure Raymond was out of earshot. “Listen, I can't help you find Amelia,” her voice trembling. She paused, still trying to process the shock of what he had just said. And... one million pound? Who is this man, what does he do, and why is he offering so much? “This isn’t something we should talk about over the phone.”

Mr. Lay didn’t hesitate. “Then tell me where to meet you.”

Anna’s mind raced, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She wasn’t sure if she had made a mistake by agreeing to meet him, but she couldn’t back out now. Her curiosity of what happened and the one million pound hung in the air like a cloud of uncertainty.

“I’ll call you back,” she said quickly, her voice shaky.

Before Mr. Lay could respond, she hung up the phone. Her hands trembled as she placed the receiver back down, the reality of the conversation settling in. She turned toward the door, her mind whirling. What am I getting into?