Alternate Solution

Angelia had noticed Callie’s departure from the corner of her eye. Curiosity and jealousy gnawed at her, and she couldn’t resist the urge to pry. She asked Wendy, who was engrossed in her romance novels and munching on cookies, where Callie was going. Wendy looked up, her eyes flickering with amusement. ‘Oh, Callie? She’s probably just going for a walk or something. You know how she enjoys stargazing.’ But Angelia was not convinced. She had a hunch that there was more to Callie’s sudden departure. *** In Elias’s private quarters, Lemuel, his loyal aide and friend, urged him to join a small group of officers for a birthday celebration, but Elias said no. ‘Come on, sir! It’s your birthday, and we’re all going to have a good time. You can’t stay cooped up here,’ Lemuel insisted, giving his superior a playful nudge. ‘Thanks, Lem, but I have other plans.’ Before Lemuel could inquire further, Elias’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was General Her