CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT - An Unexpected Encounter

As midnight approached, Claire stood at the lookout point, the Golden Gate Bridge looming in the darkness before her. The wind whipped around her, and she pulled her jacket tighter. Mason was hidden nearby, ready to intervene if needed. A figure emerged from the shadows, and Claire's breath caught in her throat. It was Evelyn, her supervisor. "Evelyn?" Claire gasped. "What are you doing here?" Evelyn's face was grim. "I'm the one who sent you the anonymous tip, Claire. And I'm here to tell you the truth about what's really going on." Claire's mind reeled. "You? But why? What do you know?" Evelyn glanced around nervously before speaking. "Veronica approached me a few months ago. She offered me a substantial amount of money to feed her information about Universe X's financial dealings. At first, I refused, but then she threatened to expose some... mistakes I made early in my career. Mistakes that could ruin me." Claire felt a mix of anger and sympathy. "So you've been spying for he