Graham Hale spent the entire night staring at the final page of the original agreement.His name was not there.He had spent twelve years acting as the Principal Trustee, signing instructions, approving administrative changes, and directing the movement of assets connected to Blackhaven.But the document in front of him showed that Edward Hale's successor had to be selected by at least four of the six original intermediaries.Graham had never received those four signatures.Instead, he had received a letter from a private office instructing him to assume the position after Edward's death.He had followed that instruction without questioning it.Now he wondered whether he had been appointed to protect the agreement or to help someone destroy it.He turned the page.At the bottom was a name he had not seen in years.Nathaniel Cross.Graham immediately reached for his phone.~At the Montclair estate, Vireya was reviewing the report from the police.Derek Shaw had refused to identify his

The rain had been falling for nearly an hour when Evren received the message.It contained only one sentence.If you want to know who controls the Principal Trustee's Office, come to Pier 19 tonight. Come alone.Evren read it twice before placing his phone on the table.Vireya noticed his expression."What's wrong?"He handed her the phone.She read the message and immediately shook her head."No.""I haven't said anything yet.""You don't need to. You're thinking about going."Evren leaned back."Someone wants me there. That means they have something.""Or they want you injured.""Possibly."Vireya placed the phone down."We have enough people trying to attack us. You don't need to walk into another trap."Evren looked at his shoulder. The bruising had improved, but the joint still felt stiff. The doctor had advised him to avoid heavy combat until it recovered completely.He knew Vireya was right.But the message mentioned the Principal Trustee's Office. Whoever sent it might know so

The truck carrying the Blackhaven shipping records left the storage compound at 11:40 p.m.Three security vehicles followed it.The convoy was heading toward an industrial port outside Boston, where the containers would be transferred to a private vessel before sunrise.The man supervising the operation checked his watch."How long until the transfer?""Twenty minutes," the driver answered."Good. Once the containers are loaded, destroy the remaining paperwork."The man turned toward the second vehicle.Inside sat four trained fighters. Their leader was a broad-shouldered man named Marcus Doyle, a former professional combatant who had spent several years working as a private security instructor.He had been hired for one reason.If anyone tried to stop the shipment, he was to make sure they never reached the containers.Daniel Reyes received the location from Vireya shortly before midnight."Are you

The metal case remained open on the table.Bianca had ended the call, but nobody in the room moved. The document inside the case was old, its edges yellowed and its ink faded. Still, the name written beneath the heading was clear enough.Vireya looked at Evren."Victor Wu."Evren studied the page again. "The same Victor Wu Joseph Tan and Victor Chen told us about?""Yes," Charles answered. He leaned closer to the document. "He attended meetings with Daniel Chen and Eastbridge. We knew he was connected to the shipping and investment side of the network, but we never had proof that he was one of the original six.""Now we do," Vireya said.Bianca turned the page toward them. "This is more than a list of names. Look at the wording."Evren read the paragraph beneath Victor's name.“Upon the death or incapacity of the sitting Principal Trustee, Victor Wu shall assume responsibility for the central office and maintai

Victor Wu's residence stood on a quiet road outside Greenwich. Tall trees surrounded the property, and a high stone wall separated the house from the road. Two security vehicles were parked near the entrance.Evren studied the building from the passenger seat."He's expecting us," Vireya said."That doesn't mean he'll welcome us."Charles checked the documents on his tablet. "Victor Wu was selected before Edward Hale died. If he was supposed to take over the office, he should know what happened to the original agreement."Evren opened the car door."Then let's ask him."They were escorted inside by two guards. The house was quiet, but Evren noticed the security arrangement immediately. The men weren't ordinary guards. Their movements were controlled, and both kept their distance while watching his hands.Victor Wu was waiting in a private study.He was in his late sixties, with silver hair and a calm expression. He wore a dark suit without a tie."Evren Valcero," Victor said. "I wonde