CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE – THE LIGHTHOUSE PROTOCOL

"Joan, I need help," Zoe's voice trembled. "It's Mark. He's... he's stalking me." Joan's voice was calm but firm. "Come to the clinic right now. We'll handle this together." Thirty minutes later, Zoe sat in Joan's office, recounting every unsettling incident. Joan listened intently, her face a mask of concern and determination. "Zoe, I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this alone," Joan said, reaching out to squeeze Zoe's hand. "We're going to take care of this, I promise." Joan picked up her phone, dialing a number she rarely used. "Alessandro? It's Joan. I need your help." Within an hour, Alessandro arrived at the clinic, his presence commanding even in the late hour. "Tell me everything," he said, his dark eyes scanning Zoe's tear-stained face. As Zoe recounted her story again, Alessandro's expression hardened. When she finished, he turned to Joan. "We'll handle this. Zoe, from this moment on, you have our full protection." Joan nodded in agreement. "Zoe, I want you to doc