2025-12-31 21:25:51
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CHAPTER 173
"Read it," Peterson urged, his voice breaking slightly. "Read what they're saying about her, Master West. Read the lies they're already spreading. See how they're trying to control the narrative, to shape public perception before anyone can ask the real questions."Victor Langeston West forced his eyes to focus on the text below the headline, made himself read even though every instinct was screaming at him to throw the paper away, to refuse to accept what it was telling him. His eyes tracked across the lines of print, each sentence landing like a physical blow.Abigail Clark, 34, an investigative journalist previously employed by the Metropolitan Tribune before her dismissal last year, was discovered early this morning in a motel room on the outskirts of the city, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Police report that Ms. Clark was found by motel staff during a routine room check after she failed to respond to wake-up calls.Multiple gunshot wounds.Not one shot fired in panic du
CHAPTER 172
"Master West…" Peterson immediately interrupted."It's actually about Ms Abigail Clark." Peterson immediately said, his voice reeking with shock and bewilderment.Victor Langeston West immediately sat up from his bed, his laptop still in his hand, the research documents about dismantling the Hartwell empire suddenly seeming insignificant compared to whatever news Peterson was bringing. His heart had already begun to accelerate, that primal instinct that warned of danger before the conscious mind could fully process what was happening."What about her?" Victor Langeston West asked, his voice tight with sudden apprehension. A cold dread was already beginning to form in the pit of his stomach, the kind of premonition that came from having spent too many years surrounded by danger and loss. It was the same feeling he'd had the night his father died, the same sick certainty that something terrible had happened and his life was about to change forever."Did something bad happen to her?" Vic
CHAPTER 171
Victor Langeston West immediately stared at Nanny Louis and replied almost immediately."She stays hidden until we're ready to move," Victor Langeston West immediately said."Once we start filing lawsuits, submitting evidence to authorities, going public with accusations at that point, her safety actually increases because she becomes a known quantity. Right now, while everything is secret, she's vulnerable. But once it's public, killing her serves no purpose. The evidence is out there, she's testified, the damage is done.""Unless they kill her for revenge," Mr. Freeman pointed out darkly."Which is why we'll arrange protection for her when the time comes," Victor said. "Safe house, security detail, everything necessary. But first, we need to verify her evidence and build our cases. We can't protect her effectively until we're ready to act, and we can't act until we know exactly what we're working with."He immediately looked at each of them in turn. "I won't lie to you. This is dang
CHAPTER 170
Abigail Clark immediately smiled at Victor Langston West, something she hadn't done since she had arrived at the West family mansion."I'll do my best," she said. Then, with a final nod, she turned and walked through the gates, disappearing into the darkness beyond with the kind of practiced stealth that came from months of hiding.Victor Langeston West immediately watched her go, his hand unconsciously closing around the USB drive in his pocket. Then he activated the gate controls, watching as the iron barriers swung shut again, sealing off the estate from the outside world.But even as the gates closed, Victor Langeston West knew that something fundamental had changed tonight. For years, he'd been planning, preparing, gathering resources, but without a clear path to actually destroying the Hartwells. Now he had that path. Now he had the ammunition he needed.The war was about to begin.He turned and walked back toward the mansion, his mind already racing with plans and strategies.
CHAPTER 169
"They're probably concerned about how long you've been here," Victor Langeston West immediately said. "The longer you stay, the greater the risk of the Hartwells somehow learning about this meeting.""I know. I should go soon. But Master West, I need to know—are you in? Are you willing to work with me to bring down the Hartwells? I need to hear you say it clearly because once we start this, there's no backing out. For either of us."Victor Langeston West looked at her intently, this brave, damaged, determined woman who had risked everything in pursuit of justice.Then he looked out beyond the gates, toward the darkness that held both danger and opportunity."Before I give you my final answer," Victor Langeston West immediately said slowly, "I need to ask a few more questions. About you, about your motivations, about whether I can truly trust you with something this important.""Ask anything," Abigail immediately said."First—and to be completely honest—is there any possibility that
CHAPTER 168
For the first time, Abigail Clark's professional mask slipped slightly, revealing something more personal underneath. "I wanted to tell stories that mattered. I wanted to expose injustice, to give voice to people who couldn't advocate for themselves. Journalism seemed like a way to do that, to be a watchdog, to hold powerful people accountable, to make a difference.""And was it? Did journalism live up to that ideal?” Victor Langston West immediately asked, his voice was laced with a mixture of authority and determination as he asked."Sometimes," Abigail Clark said quietly. "When I was allowed to do real journalism, yes. I broke stories about local corruption, about environmental violations, about consumer fraud.”“Small stories, mostly, but they mattered. They resulted in changes in accountability. That's what I thought working for Hartwell Media would be, a chance to do investigative journalism on a bigger scale, with more resources and a wider reach.""Instead, you found yourself
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