Glad you're Settling

Debra stepped off the car, her heart still fluttering with the memories of the serene springs and quiet moments she had shared with her girlfriend 'well technically Lean was hers' she thought. The vacation had been a much-needed escape from the chaos of her life back home. As she walked through the path way of their mansion. Debra felt a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in a long time.

But that peace was shattered the moment she walked through the front door of her home, her father was waiting for her in the living room, his expression a mix of anxiety and determination.

"Debra, we need to talk," he said, his voice unusually stern.

Debra exchanged a worried glance with her father before stepping forward. "What's going on, Dad?"

Mr Harrison took a deep breath. "You need to get back with Clarissa"

Debra's heart sank. What ever Clarissa and her father were doing to her father it was working. "Why would I do that? We broke up for a reason, in fact I never dated her... She ghosted me"

Richard's eyes darted around the room, avoiding her gaze. "She has changed Debra. She wants to make things right. And... They need our help."

"Help with what?" Debra's voice was sharp, suspicion creeping into her mind.

Mr Harrison hesitated, then finally met her eyes. "they're in financial trouble. Mr Aries wants to invest in the family business before his money runs out."

Debra felt a cold chill run down her spine. "Dad, you can't be serious. Aries is a con artist. He'll ruin us."

Mrs Harrison who had been listening the whole time stepped forward, her hand squeezing Debra's reassuringly. "honey our daughter is right. This doesn't sound right."

Richard's face hardened. "You don't understand. We don't have a choice."

" why... Its not like we need anything from them, they're the ones that are going bankrupt... So they need us.. Unless if there's something you are not telling us". Mrs Harrison said looking at her husband with a frown..

" umm.. Aries knows people who know people in our circle of work.. Rich people who can partner with us for this project at Tech Haven.. So him being part of the company means we get to have our new gadgets all over the world in no time"

Debra's mind raced. She knew Aries and his daughter too well. This wasn't about asking for help from the family; it was about control and manipulation.

Debra was not going to watch her family legacy go down the drain.. She was gojng to use all her resources and all the best tech resources to find dirt on Aries.

----------

Debra found it hard to sleep, knowing very well that Aries was planning to subotage her father's hardwork. Deb sat at the edge of her bed, clutching her phone tightly. The dim glow of her bedroom lamp cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the tense atmosphere. Her fingers trembled as she dialed the number scribbled hastily on a scrap of paper. With each ring, her heart pounded louder, echoing in her ears.

Finally, the call connected, and a deep, distorted voice answered, "Who is this?"

Deb took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. "you dont need to know my name. I need your help to investigate someone."

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a low chuckle. "And who might that be?"

"My father's business partner, Hale Aries," she replied, her voice firm despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I have reasons to believe he's hiding something, and I need to know what it is, before he signs the partnership with my dad's company"

The voice on the other end remained silent for a moment, then responded, "Very well, Miss... Whatever I'll look into Mr. Aries But remember, information comes at a price."

"I understand, name your price," Deb said, determination seeping into her words. "Just find out everything you can."

With that, the call ended, leaving Deb in the quiet stillness of her room, her mind racing with possibilities of what secrets Aries might be hiding...