CHAPTER 420: THE BURNT ROOM

As Lauretta approached the building, she saw police cars with sirens blaring, officers swarming the area, and yellow tape cordoning off the entrance. Her heart pounded as she tried to make sense of the chaos. She pushed forward, only to be stopped by a stern-faced cop. "Ma'am, this area is restricted," he said firmly. "Please step back." "This is my company," Lauretta insisted, panic creeping into her voice. "I need to know what's happening." Just then, she saw a handcuffed woman being led out of the building. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized her brother, Stanley, looking battered and sitting in the back of a police car. She turned back to the officer, desperation in her eyes. "Please, I need to talk to my brother. Just for a minute," she begged. The officer hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. "Make it quick." Lauretta hurried to the police car, her heart aching at the sight of Stanley's bruised face. "Stanley, what happened?" she asked, her voice trembling. S