Tristan had thought blaming Sara would be his golden ticket out of this mess.But now, ironically, his only hope of survival was to stay locked behind the very bars he had been desperately trying to escape.Meanwhile, just a few corridors away, Sara was finishing up her official statement to Agent Vance.The air in the interrogation room was heavy with the scent of cheap coffee and ink."And that's the absolute truth," Sara whispered, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. "Every offshore account, every distribution permit—Tristan brought them to me pre-signed. I was just... I was so desperate to prove myself to my family, to show them I could make the Connor Group a global empire, that I never questioned him."Agent Vance reviewed the notes his subordinate had been typing, nodding slowly. "Your statement matches everything that Miss Stacy said. That's a good thing for you, Miss Connor. All goes well, and you should be released on probation tomorrow. But don't think that gives you the ri

Tristan’s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. ‘They caught them. They were already at the airport.’"The Iron Blood Triad doesn't like being played, Mister Cole," the man continued smoothly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the metal table. "Your family took twenty million from our Southern branch and instead of paying what you owe, you dared to try and play with us. Do you really think we are that easy to fool?”"I can fix it!" Tristan shrieked, throwing himself toward the table, only for one of the burly bodyguards to step forward, his massive hand instantly clamping onto Tristan’s fractured shoulder.Tristan let out a sharp, agonized scream as the bodyguard squeezed, forcing him down to his knees on the cold linoleum floor.“Oh, you absolutely will, so tell me, how will you fix this? You see, we are more than okay with selling the organs of your entire family but we'll give you a chance to save them. So tell me, how will you pay back the twenty million you

Sara slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were dull, entirely vacant of the fire that usually defined her.She looked at the cup, then up at Mira.For a split second, a faint instinct in the back of Sara's mind flared—a strange sense of lingering unease—but her overwhelming grief and guilt crushed it instantly.She didn't deserve her sister’s kindness, yet here Mira was, looking out for her."Thank you, Mira," Sara whispered hoarsely, taking the warm porcelain cup between her trembling hands and taking several deep swallows.Mira turned her back on the room, pretending to sip from her own cup—which contained only pure water she had poured beforehand. Her heart was hammering with absolute ecstasy. ‘They drank it. Every single one of them.’Outside, parked half a block down the street under the shadow of a sprawling oak tree, Tristan sat in a cheap, stolen sedan.His eyes were bloodshot, glued to the grand entrance of the Connor manor.He kept checking his phone.1:15 PM."Come on, come o

Tristan remembered the absolute terror of the police cell.He remembered his own parents telling him that it was better he rot in a cell than try to get out.These hypocritical bastards had completely abandoned him to face the butcher's knife alone, and now they wanted to play the loving family?"Quiet," a smooth, authoritative voice commanded from the shadows.The middle-aged Triad leader stepped forward into the ring of light, exhaling a thick cloud of mint vapor from his vape pen.He looked at Tristan, then down at his watch, raising an eyebrow. "You came earlier than expected, Mister Cole. I hope for your sake you aren't empty-handed."Tristan quickly averted his eyes from his family, forcing a compliant, respectful nod toward the gangster. "I have them. All five of them are unconscious in the sedan parked right outside. Drug sedated and completely restrained."The Triad leader’s eyes flashed with twisted amusement.He gestured to four heavily tattooed subordinates standing by the

"Tristan..." Gerard growled, his face turning a furious shade of crimson as he glared up at his former prospective son-in-law. "We treated you like a son! I was going to give you my daughter's hand! How dare you do this to us?!"Tristan burst out laughing, a sharp, manic sound that made Jocelyn flinch.He walked over, standing directly over the patriarch of the Connor family, and looked down with utter disdain."Treated me like a son, Gerard? Don't make me laugh," Tristan sneered, tapping the toe of his shoe against Gerard's shoulder."You treated me like a prestigious accessory for your failing company. And Sara?" Tristan turned to face her, his eyes darkening with that foul, lingering malice. "She treated me like a dog on a leash. Proud, untouchable, always looking down on me from her high horse."He leaned down, grabbing Sara by the chin and forcing her to look at him.Sara didn't pull away, nor did she blink. Her gaze was entirely dead, which only infuriated Tristan further."Look