Chapter 4: The Ledger’s Shadow
The clock on the mantel ticked like a bomb.
"The ledger is safe," Elena said, her voice gaining a sudden, sharp edge.
Martha stopped pacing.
"Safe where?"
"Somewhere your lawyers can’t reach. Somewhere the DA will find it if I don't check in by midnight."
Julian’s face turned a violent shade of red. He lunged.
He grabbed Elena by the throat, pinning her against the back of the sofa.
"You think you’re smart? You think you have leverage?"
"Julian, stop!" Martha barked. Not out of mercy, but out of caution. "The baby."
Julian let go. Elena slumped, gasping for air, her throat burning.
"If anything happens to me," Elena coughed, "the world sees the Sterling corruption. The murders. The bribes. Everything."
Julian leaned down, his nose touching hers.
"Then we’ll just have to make sure you stay alive long enough to tell us where it is. And not a second longer."
