Sebastian woke before the alarm.For several seconds, he remained still beneath the thin blanket, staring at the pale morning light spreading across the ceiling. His mind returned to the previous evening in fragments: David's letter, Arthur's discovery about the independent audit unit, the altered photograph, and Evelyn's call about the storage unit.But one thought stayed with him longer than the others.He needed money.Not because he wanted a luxurious life.Because every investigation had a cost.Records required access. Lawyers required payment. Professionals required salaries. Even obtaining reliable evidence sometimes meant spending money that he simply did not have.Sebastian sat up and rubbed his face, preparing himself for today's goal.The Debt Vision had helped him identify opportunities before, but lately he had allowed the investigation to consume most of his attention.That needed to change and as soon as he made up his mind, the familiar mechanical voice echoed inside his

Sebastian kept his hand resting on the edge of the folder without opening it.The silver interface hovered across his vision, translucent against the dim storage unit.Evidence Authentication — Level 1Available Functions:Document Age AnalysisInk and Paper ConsistencyAlteration DetectionChain-of-Custody PatternCross-Reference AssistanceSebastian read the options carefully before selecting the first three.The system did not reveal the contents of the folder.Instead, a faint outline appeared around the documents inside.Estimated creation period: 11–13 years ago.Visible alterations: None detected.Paper composition consistent with period.Ink composition consistent with estimated creation period.Sebastian released a slow breath. "It appears genuine."Evelyn leaned closer."Appears?"Sebastian looked at her realizing the system can identify inconsistencies, but it cannot magically prove who wrote something. But he couldn't reveal it to her yet so he nodded in response only instea

Sebastian remained seated at the dining table, staring at the anonymous message on his phone.You should walk away from the cold-storage property.The second message was still visible beneath it.Your father made the mistake of believing every undervalued asset was worth saving.He read both lines again before turning the phone face down.His first instinct was to call Marcus.The thought lasted only a few seconds.He reached for the property file instead."No," he murmured, opening the folder. "If I call Boss Marcus every time someone tries to frighten me, I will never learn how to handle anything myself."He spread the documents across the table.The property had three significant problems: municipal liabilities, an unresolved environmental notice, and an uncertain redevelopment timeline.None of those problems explained why someone would specifically warn him away.That left him with two possibilities.Either the property was more dangerous than the records showed, or someone wanted h

Sebastian did not open the envelope that night.He placed it inside the locked drawer of his desk, then checked the property documents one more time before turning off the light. He had already made the decision to buy Lot 19, but the decision was not final until the contracts were signed, the title was verified, and the liabilities were properly assigned.The next morning, he took a cab to Paula's office. She was waiting for him with two folders on the conference table."You look like you did not sleep much," she said, pushing one folder toward him.Sebastian pulled out the chair and sat down. "I slept enough."She raised an eyebrow. "That is not what I asked."A small smile appeared on Sebastian's face. "Then no, I did not sleep much."She opened the first folder. "The seller accepted your eighty-five-thousand-dollar offer."Sebastian nodded. "Subject to the conditions we discussed.""Exactly." she tapped the first page. "Title verification, environmental liability protection, confi

Sebastian remained on the staircase after ending the call with Paula.People passed through the lobby below him without paying attention. A delivery worker pushed a cart toward the entrance while two women stood near the reception desk discussing an appointment. The ordinary movement of the building made the document on his phone feel even more out of place.He read the clause again.In the event of either trustee's disappearance or death, the surviving trustee shall retain sole authority over the rights.His father had been one of those trustees.Edward Gray had disappeared twelve years ago.David had remained.Then David had died.Sebastian's thumb hovered over the screen."That does not make sense," he murmured.He opened the attached document again and enlarged the signature section.The signatures were genuine. Paula had already confirmed that.The clause was genuine too.So there was only one question that mattered.Who had held the development rights after David's death?Sebastian