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Chapter 144
Ethan was leaving work. His briefcase was in his hand. His mind was at rest for the first time in weeks. Eleanor had promised to handle the audit. She had people. She had connections. She would make it disappear. He was halfway to his car when his phone rang. "Mr. Cross." A woman's voice. Professional. Controlled. "This is Detective Harris from the Special Investigations Unit. We need you to come downtown for questioning regarding illegal activities within Cross Industries." Ethan's blood went cold. "What are you talking about?" "We have reason to believe that illegal shipments and financial irregularities have been conducted under the Cross Industries banner. As the current CEO, you are the responsible party." Ethan's hands were shaking. "I don't know anything about that." "Then you can explain that to us when you come in." The line went dead. Ethan stared at his phone. Andrew and Richard had started to move. They weren't waiting. They were accelerating. The audit evidence w
Chapter 143
Ethan was in his office when the courier arrived.A man in a grey suit handed him a sealed envelope and left without a word. The envelope was thick, the paper heavy. Ethan turned it over in his hands for a moment before opening it. The letterhead was Cross Industries Legal Department. His stomach dropped before he even read the first line."Re: Forensic Audit of AK Holdings Financial Records. By order of the Cross Industries Board."He read it twice. Then a third time. The words didn't change. They were auditing his company. Andrew was making his move. Not in 48 hours. Now.Ethan set the letter down on his desk and stared at it. His mind was racing, trying to find a way out. There was no way out. The audit would find the Volkov shipments. They'd find the manifests he signed. They'd find the irregularities in the accounts. And then they'd hand everything to the police.He picked up his phone and called his lawyer. The man answered on the second ring."Ethan.""They're auditing AK Holdi
Chapter 142
Ethan stared at Eleanor across the booth. His mind was spinning, trying to catch up with what she had just said. The words hung in the air between them, heavy and sharp, like a blade waiting to fall."What do you mean?" he asked again. His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. He could feel the sweat on his palms, the tightness in his chest. He had walked into this meeting expecting to make a deal, not to have his entire understanding of the past few weeks torn apart.Eleanor leaned back in the booth, her fingers wrapped around her wine glass. She took a slow, deliberate sip before setting it down. She was in no hurry. She had all the time in the world, and she wanted him to know it. The ice in her glass clinked softly. The sound seemed too loud in the quiet corner of the bar."I mean Mira has been playing you from the moment she walked into your life." Eleanor's voice was calm, measured, like she was explaining something simple to a child. "She didn't find that evidence on her ow
Chapter 141
Ethan sat in his car outside the office, staring at his phone.Three hundred and fifty million dollars. Or prison. Those were his choices. Stay in the merger and go to jail for his father's crimes. Or leave and owe a debt he could never repay.He needed another option.He thought about Eleanor Graves. She had resources. She had connections. She had offered him a way out before, but he had refused. He had been too proud. Too stubborn. Too convinced he could do it alone.He couldn't do it alone.He called her.She answered on the second ring. "Ethan Cross. I was wondering when you'd call.""I need to meet with you.""I'm busy.""Make time."A pause. Then she said, "The Dockside Bar. One hour. Don't be late."The line went dead.Ethan started the engine and drove.---The Dockside Bar was quiet for a Wednesday afternoon.Ethan had arrived early and taken a booth in the back corner. The same booth where she had first laid out her plan. The same booth where she had threatened him with pris
chapter 140
Ethan woke up on the floor of a motel room.His back ached. His head pounded. The carpet was cheap and rough against his cheek. He pushed himself up slowly, his muscles screaming in protest. A bruise on his jaw. A cut on his knuckles that he didn't remember getting.He had collapsed here last night. After the gunfire. After the escape. After splitting up with Volkov and Mira. He had driven until he couldn't drive anymore, found this place, and passed out on the floor before he even made it to the bed.He stood up and walked to the sink. The mirror showed him a man he barely recognized. Dark circles under his eyes. Hollow cheeks. A man who hadn't slept in weeks. He splashed water on his face and stared at his reflection.He needed to get to the office. He needed to know what was happening.Seraphina was gone.He hadn't fired her. She hadn't resigned. They had fought. He had accused her. She had denied it. And then she had walked out. That was the last time he saw her. The evidence agai
Chapter 139
Ethan's phone buzzed on the table. Claire's name lit up the screen. He stared at it for a moment, his hand hovering over the answer button. Volkov was across the room. Mira was sitting at the table, watching him with those cold, patient eyes. The evidence was spread out between them. Seraphina's name on every page.He picked up the phone and answered."Hey.""Ethan." Her voice was tired, but steady. "It's been days. You said you'd call. You said you'd keep me updated.""I know. I'm sorry.""Sorry doesn't help me sleep at night." There was a pause. "I've been sitting in this house for weeks. I can't go anywhere without someone following me. I can't walk to the corner store without asking permission. And you keep telling me you're going to find out who did this, but nothing changes."Ethan ran his hand through his hair. "I know. I'm trying.""Trying isn't the same as doing.""You're right. It's not.""So tell me something real. Tell me you found something. Tell me you're close. Give me
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