Chapter 52: The Bait is Set

The tension in the safe house was palpable. Ava could feel it radiating from everyone as they prepared for what was to come. Lucas stood by the window, staring out into the night, his face unreadable. Ava knew he was grappling with the decision they had just made—to use himself as bait to draw out his father. Jess’s fingers tapped furiously on her keyboard, creating a digital trail convincing enough to lure Leon to the designated location. "I'm crafting the leak now," she announced, her voice steady but intense. "It’ll look like you’re holed up at a safe house near the industrial district, with minimal backup. I’m using some older data points to make it seem believable, but this needs to be perfect." Lydia crossed her arms, watching Jess work. “Make sure it looks like Lucas is there alone,” she suggested. “If Leon suspects it’s a trap, he’ll bring the whole Meridian force down on us.” Lucas finally turned from the window, his expression hard but resolute. “I know my father. He won’t