“Move her out,” one guard muttered.
But before they could reach her, she lifted her chin and locked eyes with Daniel.
Something about her gaze unsettled him—more than any rival ever had.
“Sir,” she said, her voice shaky but determined, “please don’t get on. You can’t go today.”
A few people nearby chuckled.
Daniel gave a faint smile. “And why not?”
“I saw it,” she whispered. “In my dream. The boat… the water… and you. It was dark and loud… and you couldn’t get out.”
Her small fists tightened. There was no playfulness in her face—only fear.
Daniel almost dismissed her. He didn’t believe in dreams or superstition. His world was built on logic, numbers, control.
But something in her eyes—pure, desperate honesty—made his chest tighten.
“Remove her,” a guard said again.
Daniel raised his hand. “Wait.”
The dock fell silent.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Lily,” she replied softly.
“Well, Lily,” he said gently, “boats don’t sink because of dreams.”
She swallowed hard. “My dad said they give warnings before something bad happens… you just have to listen.”
For a split second, a memory flickered in Daniel’s mind—old reports, ignored warnings, an engineer he once dismissed as overly cautious.
He shook it off.