“Using Adrian’s company as collateral,” I realized.

“Exactly,” Sarah said. “She’s presenting fake letters of credit from London to get local banks to release immediate cash to Bennett Urban Systems.”

“But if those banks find out the London trust is a shell, they’ll call the loans immediately.”

“They won’t just call them, Claire. They’ll freeze every asset Adrian has left.”

I thanked Sarah and ended the call.

The silence of the apartment felt heavier now.

I sat back down at my desk and stared at my drawings for Julian’s waterfront project.

The structural columns were designed to withstand the highest wind loads Chicago could throw at them.

I had spent years perfecting that math, only for Adrian to claim the intellectual property belonged to Bennett Urban Systems.

If Adrian’s company collapsed under the weight of Serena’s fraud, my patents would be dragged into the bankruptcy court.

The next morning, the Chicago sky was a pale, flat gray.

I arrived at the National Urban Renewal Foundation office at eight.

Margaret Hale was already in her office, pouring black coffee into a ceramic mug.