The door handle moved again. Daniel stood between the door and Martin. His eyes remained fixed on the handle. Martin was breathing heavily behind him."Daniel," he whispered."Stay behind me."Another knock came. This time, it was harder."Martin, open the door."Daniel glanced at the window. Third floor. Too high to jump. There was no other obvious exit. He looked around the apartment. Kitchen. Bedroom. Bathroom. Nothing.The person outside knocked again. "We know you're inside."Daniel lowered his voice. "How many?"Martin shook his head. "I don't know.""You said they would kill you.""They will.""Then start talking."Martin stared at him. "You don't understand who you're dealing with.""Then tell me."Martin swallowed. Before he could answer, the door suddenly shook. Someone had kicked it.Daniel moved closer. The second kick was harder. The old lock began to crack.Daniel grabbed a heavy wooden chair and positioned it against the door.Martin looked terrified. "What are you doin

Daniel stared at the photograph on his phone. His father. Victor Hale. Three days before his arrest.The image had been taken outside a restaurant in the city. His father stood beside Victor, both men looking serious.Daniel zoomed in. There was nothing unusual about the photograph itself. But the date was impossible to ignore. Three days before his arrest. He had spent seven years believing that his father's business problems had nothing to do with his case. Now he wasn't so sure.His phone vibrated again. Another message.You are looking in the wrong direction.Daniel frowned. He typed back.Who are you?No response. He tried calling the number. It was unavailable.Daniel slipped the phone into his pocket. Whoever had sent the photographs wanted him to ask questions. But they also wanted to control which questions he asked. That worried him.When Daniel returned home, Emma was in the living room. She looked relieved to see him."You've been gone for hours.""I had something to deal

Daniel drove like a man with nothing left to lose. His phone was still in his hand. He called Emma again. Nothing. He tried his father's number. No answer. His heart pounded harder.The black SUV had disappeared into traffic, but Daniel knew whoever was behind it had planned everything. They had watched his house. They had watched him. They knew where he went. They even knew when he visited the law firm.Daniel tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Someone was feeding them information. But who?He called Adrian. "Daniel?""They took Emma."There was silence. "What?""Someone followed her from the house.""Are you sure?""I received a photograph of her inside her car."Adrian's voice became serious. "Where are you?""Driving.""Send me your location.""I don't have time.""Daniel, listen to me. Don't go anywhere alone.""They told me to come alone.""That's exactly why you shouldn't."Daniel ignored him. "Find Emma.""We'll find her.""No." Daniel's voice hardened. "I need you to f

Daniel remained seated in his office long after the call ended. The room was silent. The name on his laptop screen refused to leave his mind. Someone close to his family had been moving money through Victor Hale's companies. Someone who had access to his father's business. Someone who had been around his family while Daniel was in prison.He closed the laptop. He wasn't going to accuse anyone without proof. Seven years had taught him one thing. Never act on emotion when the truth was still hiding.Daniel picked up his phone and called Elena. "I need another favor.""That sounds serious.""Don't tell anyone about the information you sent me."There was a pause. "Why?""Because I think someone inside my family is involved."Elena's voice became serious. "Are you sure?""No.""Then be careful.""I will.""Daniel?""Yes?""There's something you should know.""What?""The person who requested the information about Victor's companies wasn't you."Daniel frowned. "What do you mean?""Someone

Daniel remained in his father's office, staring at the name on the paper. He read it again. Then again. His mind refused to accept it.The person named on the paper was not some distant relative or old employee. It was someone who had stood beside his family for years. Someone Daniel had trusted. Someone who had helped his father when the business was struggling. Someone who had welcomed Daniel home after prison.Daniel folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket. He wasn't going to confront him. Not yet. A name on a piece of paper wasn't proof. And Daniel had learned the hard way that acting without proof could destroy a person's life.He turned off the office light and left. But before closing the door, he noticed something strange. The drawer beneath his father's desk was slightly open.Daniel walked back. He pulled it open. Inside were several old files. Most were ordinary business documents. One was different. It had no label.Daniel opened it. The first page contained a list