Chapter 14 - The Missing Ledger
Nathan’s mind raced. The ledger. Marcus hadn't just kept bank statements; he had kept a master record of blackmail. And if Eleanor believed Lily had it, the children were still in mortal danger, court order or not.
"Lily was five years old when she walked through a blizzard with two babies," Nathan said, keeping his voice entirely level to mask his rising panic. "She didn't carry a book. She carried a blanket and her brothers."
"Are you sure about that?" Eleanor tilted her head, her gray eyes narrowing. "Children absorb more than you think. And even if she didn't carry it physically, she was living in that house for years. The authorities found a hidden compartment in Sarah's bedroom closet completely emptied out the morning after the murder. Someone took it, Nathan. And the only people who survived that house are currently sitting in your fortress."
Maya stepped forward, sliding a legal document onto the desk. "If you make one move against Nathan or the children, Eleanor, we won't just fight you in family court. We will submit your personal communications with Marcus Kane to the federal grand jury by tomorrow morning. Your firm, your license, and your freedom will vanish before the ink dries."
Eleanor’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, the mask of corporate invincibility slipping to reveal a flash of pure venom. "You're playing a very dangerous game, little brother. The syndicate doesn't negotiate with surgeons."
"Then it's a good thing I'm done operating," Nathan replied coldly, turning on his heel. "See you in court."
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As they rode the elevator back down to the ground floor, Maya looked over at Nathan, her expression grim. "She's bluffing about the ledger, right? Lily couldn't possibly know where something like that is."
"I don't know," Nathan muttered, staring at his reflection in the mirrored elevator doors. "But we're going to search every inch of the estate the second we get back. Because if Eleanor wants that book, she isn't going to wait for a judge to give it to her."
