Blackridge looked smaller than Richard remembered. Perhaps it was because he was no longer entering it as an heir. The building stood at the edge of an industrial district, surrounded by warehouses and empty lots. Years ago, the place had terrified him. Now he simply saw an old building with too many secrets.Grant parked two streets away.Sophia checked the rearview mirror. "Are you sure this is legal?"Richard looked at her. "No."She stared.He smiled. "I mean, we're not breaking in."Grant opened the glove compartment. "I brought the documents proving the businesses have a legitimate interest in the records."Sophia looked at him. "You prepared this without telling me?"Grant shrugged. "You two were busy arguing.""We weren't arguing.""You were."Richard ignored them.They approached the building from the rear. The main entrance was sealed. A security camera turned toward them.Richard stopped. "Don't move."Sophia froze. Grant looked up. The camera rotated away. Richard waited.

Richard read his mother's letter one more time before sunrise. He had memorized most of it already, but he kept returning to the same sentence.Make it unnecessary.For years, he had believed that defeating the people behind Northstar meant taking control of what they owned. He had fought for Black Group, chased the hidden assets, accepted the succession, and nearly sacrificed everything trying to understand why his father had disappeared.Now he was beginning to understand the mistake. He had been trying to win a game that rewarded whoever controlled the rules. Evelyn had wanted him to change the game.Richard folded the letter and placed it inside his jacket.When he entered the office, Grant was already waiting with three cups of coffee and a laptop open on the table. Sophia sat beside him, reading the copies they had made at Meridian House."Before you say anything," Grant began, "I want you to understand what publishing these documents could do."Richard pulled out a chair. "I'm