“It does not matter,” Gabriel said, stepping closer to me. “I knew the risks when I agreed to help you.”

“But if they pull your federal clearance, you will lose everything you have built,” I said.

“We finish this, Claire,” Gabriel said, his voice firm. “We do not back down.”

I looked at the table covered in financial documents.

The papers represented the wreckage of my family’s legacy. My mother’s death, Vanessa’s betrayal, and my father’s greed were all laid bare in those black-and-white figures.

“I need to call the Assistant U.S. Attorney directly,” I said. “I want to hand these files over tonight.”

“I will have Marcus prepare the secure transport,” Gabriel said.

He reached for his desk phone to call his security team.

Before he could lift the receiver, the main security console on the wall began to chime.

A yellow warning light began to pulse on the digital screen next to the elevator door.

Gabriel froze, his hand hovering over the phone.

He stepped quickly to the console and tapped the screen to activate the external cameras.