Chapter 15
Emma stared at the cold text message on her screen, her hands trembling as the morning sun rose over 5th Avenue.
The bright golden light reflected off the glass skyscrapers of Manhattan, but a dark cloud remained over her heart.
The message didn't mention money, legal trials, or police arrests; it mentioned a syndicate.
Victoria hadn't been acting alone when she targeted the wealthiest men across Europe and North America.
She was merely an operative working for a high-level organized criminal network specializing in elite asset liquidation.
Emma saved the text message, screenshotting the code before walking back inside to find William’s security detail.
Marcus, the newly appointed chief of Sterling Family Security, was standing near the grand staircase reviewing camera logs.
“Marcus,” Emma said, stepping up to him and showing him her phone screen.
Marcus read the encrypted text, his face instantly hardening into a mask of pure, professional focus.
“Where did you get this, Emma?” Marcus asked, his voice dropping into a low, serious tone.
“It came through ten seconds ago while I was standing on the front porch,” Emma revealed.
Marcus immediately tapped his radio headset, speaking to his perimeter team outside the front gate.
“Lock down the main gates now,” Marcus commanded sharply. “No one enters or leaves without level-one clearance.”
He looked back at Emma, his expression grave.
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“The syndicate Victoria worked for is based out of Chicago and London,” Marcus explained quietly.
“They don't leave loose ends, Emma. And right now, you are the biggest loose end in New York City.”
