Chapter 4 - The Midnight Visitor
The phone slipped from Julian’s numb fingers, clattering against the desk before coming to rest beside the blinking USB drive. The synthesized voice still echoed in his mind, repeating a single address in the industrial district downtown. He didn't hesitate; he grabbed his overcoat, shoved the flash drive into his pocket, and practically ran toward the private elevator.
The underground parking garage was dimly lit by flickering fluorescent bulbs that cast long, distorted shadows across the concrete floor. His black sedan sat alone in its designated slot, looking sleek and untouchable under the industrial lights. As he reached for the door handle, the crunch of footsteps echoed sharply against the concrete behind him.
Julian spun around, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Who's there?"
A tall figure stepped out from the shadow of a concrete pillar, adjusting the collar of a heavy trench coat. As the overhead light caught their face, Julian recognized Marcus’s younger sister, Clara, her expression carved from absolute stone.
"You shouldn't have watched that video, Julian," Clara said, her voice entirely devoid of the warmth he remembered from family dinners past.
"Clara? What are you doing here? Where is Marcus?" Julian demanded, taking a cautious step forward while keeping his hand buried in his coat pocket near the flash drive.
"Marcus is safe, far away from whatever mess you and Elena are dragging my family into," Clara replied, stepping closer until the amber light illuminated the dark circles under her eyes. "You think Elena is just some vengeful wife? You have no idea what she did to get those accounts frozen."
Julian felt a cold sweat break out along his hairline. "Tell me what you know. If she’s setting me up, I can fix this with the board in the morning."
Clara let out a bitter, humorless laugh that echoed off the concrete walls. "The board? Julian, the board was replaced three weeks ago. Every single member answers to Elena’s holding company now. You aren't facing a corporate audit; you're facing a hostile takeover of your entire existence."
She reached into her coat pocket, pulling out a heavy manila envelope and tossing it onto the hood of his car.
May you like
"Open it," Clara commanded softly. "And then tell me if you still think you're walking into that boardroom tomorrow morning."
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