Celestina sat in the dim light of the secret room, her fingers trembling as she sifted through the stack of yellowed documents on the desk. The pages detailed decades of her father’s shadowy dealings—alliances forged in betrayal, bribes given to keep rivals quiet, and assassination plots against those who dared to oppose him.

She picked up one file marked with her father’s personal seal and flipped it open. Inside, a detailed ledger showed payments to foreign leaders in exchange for their silence on Alvada’s brutal crackdowns. Another file contained a chilling report on political rivals who had mysteriously disappeared.

Her stomach churned as she read a note in her father’s handwriting: “Control is everything. If we lose it, we lose the nation.”

Celestina leaned back in the chair, pressing a hand to her forehead. “What kind of legacy am I standing on?” she whispered to herself, the words heavy with disbelief.

Hours passed, but Celestina couldn’t tear herself away from the documents. She found a letter addressed to one of her father’s closest allies.

“Ensure she doesn’t learn the full truth,” it read. “Celestina is the face of a new era, but she must never question the foundation it was built on.”

Celestina threw the letter down, her breath quickening. She felt as though the walls of the small room were closing in on her. Her father had not only manipulated the nation but also her. He had positioned her as the savior of a corrupt dynasty, knowing she would inherit the sins he’d left behind.

When she finally emerged from the passage, the weight of the knowledge pressed on her chest like a stone. She returned to her quarters, pacing as questions swirled in her mind. Could she continue the Alvada legacy, knowing what she knew now? Or would dismantling it mean unraveling everything she had worked so hard to build?

The next morning, Liora burst into Celestina’s office, a rare smile on her face. “You’ll want to see this,” she said, holding up a tablet.

Celestina took the device and scrolled through a series of headlines and social media posts. “Celestina Alvada: A Leader for the People” one article read. Another post featured images of her meeting with farmers and addressing citizens at relief camps, accompanied by messages of support.

“Your approval ratings are climbing again,” Liora said. “The campaign is working. People are starting to see you as the leader they need, not just Alvada’s daughter.”

Celestina allowed herself a small smile, though it felt hollow. “That’s good news,” she said, handing the tablet back. “Thank you for your hard work, Liora.”

Liora hesitated, studying her. “What’s wrong? You don’t seem… relieved.”

Celestina shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

“More like haunted,” Liora said bluntly. “Whatever it is, you’ll have to face it eventually. You can’t carry the weight of this nation if you don’t deal with what’s weighing on you.”

Celestina gave her a curt nod, unwilling to say more.

Later that day, Anton, her chief of security, arrived in her office looking pale and uneasy.

“We have a situation,” he said, his voice low.

“What now?” Celestina asked, already bracing for bad news.

Anton hesitated before sliding a folder onto her desk. “It’s about Advisor Malik. We’ve found evidence that he’s been funneling information and funds to individuals tied to your father’s regime.”

Celestina’s stomach dropped. Malik had been one of her most trusted advisors, someone who had guided her through the early days of her presidency. “Are you certain?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Anton nodded grimly. “There’s no doubt. We’ve intercepted communications, and his accounts show transactions that can’t be explained.”

Rage and betrayal surged through Celestina. “Bring him to me,” she said through clenched teeth.

Minutes later, Malik stood before her, flanked by guards. His usually calm demeanor was replaced with a look of fear.

“Madam President,” he began, but Celestina cut him off.

“Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t try to justify this. I trusted you, Malik. You were supposed to help me rebuild this nation, not tear it down from within.”

Malik lowered his head. “I did what I thought was necessary. The old regime… it was powerful. I thought if I stayed in contact with them, I could protect you—”

“Protect me?” Celestina’s voice rose. “You endangered everything we’ve worked for. Do you realize how fragile this government is right now? Your betrayal could destroy us!”

Malik had no defense, and Celestina turned to Anton. “Get him out of my sight. I don’t care what you do—just make sure he can never hurt this country again.”

As the guards dragged Malik away, Celestina sank into her chair, feeling the weight of yet another betrayal.

That night, as Celestina prepared for bed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She glanced around her room, her eyes scanning every corner.

Her gaze landed on a small, inconspicuous vent near the ceiling. Something about it caught her attention. Standing on a chair, she inspected it closer and noticed a tiny, blinking light.

Her breath caught as she realized what it was—a hidden camera. Someone had been watching her.