The courier arrived at 7:00 AM.
Isla signed for the envelope. Inside was a summons.
Plaintiff: Chase Sterling.
Charge: Aggravated Assault.
He had attached a medical report claiming permanent knee damage. It was a lie, but a dangerous one.
"That bastard!" Simone yelled, reading over Isla's shoulder. "He attacked you!"
Isla went to her computer. "Get the club footage," she typed.
Simone's fingers flew across the keyboard. Then she stopped. "It's gone. The server was wiped an hour ago. Physical overwrite."
Chase had bought someone off.
Isla's phone buzzed. A text from Chase.
_Give me the ring and apologize on TV, or you go to jail. A mute girl in prison? You won't last a day._
Isla looked at the emerald ring on her finger. No.
She looked at the black phone on her desk. Julian's phone.
She picked it up. Her thumb hovered over his contact.
_I need the footage from last night._
The reply was instant.
_Cost?_
Isla closed her eyes. She knew what he wanted. Access.
_Pruitt Logistics' Q3 vulnerability report. The one my father buried._
_Done. Check your email._
A ping. The file downloaded. 4K resolution. Crystal clear audio. It showed Chase swinging the bottle. It showed Julian stepping in.
Isla forwarded it to her lawyer. Then she forwarded it to TMZ.
Ten minutes later, Chase called. Isla declined it.
The news broke within the hour. _Sterling Heir Caught in Assault Scandal._
Simone hugged Isla. "You're a genius!"
Isla didn't smile. She looked at the black phone.
It buzzed.
_Logistics isn't enough. Interest is due. Tonight. 8 PM. My office._
Isla's stomach dropped.
She dressed carefully. A high-necked blouse. Armor.
Isla stood in the elevator of Curtis Tower. The numbers climbed higher and higher. Her ears popped.
She was walking into the lion's den.
