AVA'S POV
Inside, it smelled of old paper and dust, but the interior was preserved, organized, even. File cabinets. Shelves of labeled binders. Boxes with cryptic markings.
"This is it," I whispered.
Ethan's eyes scanned the room like a soldier entering battle. "Grab everything we can carry. We'll sort it later."
We worked in sync, moving like we had rehearsed this a thousand times. The files revealed names, locations, transaction codes, manipulation trials and my father's personal signature on every page.
"This isn't just leverage," Ethan said grimly. "It's a death sentence to everyone involved."
"And we'll make sure it's delivered," I said. "Publicly."
As we loaded the documents into two weatherproof packs, I found a sealed envelope at the bottom of one box. It was addressed to me, in my mother's handwriting.
Hands shaking, I tore it open. Inside was a single sheet of paper.
