📖 Chapter 5: Secrets of Silence

"Zaryab’s Secret"
In the morning, the city’s atmosphere was unusually quiet. Newspapers still carried headlines about Anwar’s death. But Alia’s heart was facing a storm of its own. She hadn’t closed her eyes all night—the words of Ayan, the killer’s message, and seeing Zaryab’s name on the list… all kept circling in her mind.

Chaos in the Office
The next day, the Noorabad Gazette office was buzzing with activity. Reporters, columnists, and editors were rushing to piece their stories together.
When Alia arrived, Zaryab was already there.
“Are you okay?” Zaryab asked, concern visible in his eyes.
Alia only nodded instead of answering. She was wondering whether or not she should tell him about the list. But then she decided—for now, silence was safer.

The Mysterious Phone Call
Around noon, Zaryab’s phone rang suddenly. He stepped out of the room to answer it. Alia couldn’t help but notice the change in his expressions—shock at first, then panic, and finally complete silence.
When he returned, he looked unusually serious.
“Who was it?” Alia asked.
Zaryab lied lightly, “Just a source… nothing important.”
But Alia felt he was hiding something.

The Attack
That evening, Zaryab left the office and got into his car. Out of curiosity, Alia decided to follow him from a distance. The road was deserted.
Suddenly, a black car sped up and rammed into Zaryab’s vehicle. His car swerved off the road. Masked men jumped out, dragged Zaryab from the wreck, and pulled him away.
Alia’s eyes widened in shock and fear. Instead of calling the police—or even Ayan—she made a reckless decision: to follow them herself.

The Old Warehouse
The masked men took Zaryab to an abandoned warehouse. Quietly, Alia followed and peeked through a crack in the wall.
“Tell us everything, or we’ll bury you right here!” one of the masked men threatened.
With a broken voice, Zaryab replied,
“I haven’t hidden anything… what you want, I don’t have!”
Alia’s heartbeat raced.
Were these the same people who killed Anwar? And what secret was Zaryab holding?

The Revelation
Just then, the door burst open. Ayan entered, pistol in hand, his face red with fury.
“Let him go!” his voice thundered.
The masked men stepped back. Their leader smirked mockingly.
“Ayan, you always show up at the wrong time. But remember—you're part of this game too.”
Ayan pulled Zaryab up and dragged him out. Alia rushed after them. Together, the three escaped the warehouse and reached the car under the cover of darkness.

On the way, Alia demanded,
“What was that? What did they want from Zaryab?”
Ayan turned to Zaryab.
“You tell her. It’s no use hiding anymore.”
After a moment of silence, Zaryab spoke:
“I never told you, Alia… but I knew some of Anwar’s business secrets. He used me. I had access to his accounts and documents. I was the first to hear about his ‘hit list.’”
Alia stared at him in disbelief.
“So you were part of this game too?”
Zaryab lowered his head.
“Yes… but I tried to get out. Maybe that’s why they’re after me now.”

The Danger Grows
Ayan stopped the car and said gravely,
“Now it’s clear. The enemy isn’t just one man—it’s an entire network. Anwar was only the face of it. With him gone, they’re coming for us one by one.”
Alia took a deep breath.
“So what do we do now?”
Ayan replied firmly,
“Now we hunt down their true leader.”

End of Chapter 5
Far away, on the balcony of a tall building, the same mysterious figure stood watching through binoculars. A faint smile crossed his face as he whispered:
“The game has only just begun…”
He opened a f
When the streets turn into a trap and masked shadows close in, Alia faces her first direct attack. Fear collides with courage, and for the first time, the enemy’s face begins to surface.

But one thing is certain—
This isn’t just about Anwar’s death anymore.
The real hunt has begun.

🔥 “In the web of darkness, every move could be her last.”

ile lying on his desk. Inside was a photograph of Alia.