Chapter 17
The Man Who Bought the Banks
Victor had not bought the claims to collect them.
He had bought them to place a second hand around Mara’s throat.
Daniel confirmed it in the acquisition room. The new portfolio belonged to a private vehicle controlled by Victor through three nominee companies.
“He can reactivate the claims whenever he wants,” Daniel said.
“Unless the contract protects me,” Mara replied.
“Your contract protects you only from the claims Adrian owns.”
Adrian stood at the window. “Victor wants her to break the agreement.”
“Why?”
“Because the penalty would restore every claim at the highest interest rate.”
Mara understood. Victor did not need to defeat Adrian in court. He needed Mara to run, fight, or expose the wrong secret.
Her phone vibrated.
A photograph showed Julian outside St. Augustine Medical Center, surrounded by hospital security.
The message contained one sentence:
Tell the doctor to stop looking.
Mara showed Adrian.
His face went cold.
“Where is Q-17?” he asked.
“Julian said the basement.”
“Then we go there.”
“You said you wouldn’t interfere with his work.”
“This is not work.”
“It is his patient.”
“It is Victor’s leverage.”
They reached the hospital at midnight. The basement corridor had been sealed by a fire door.
On the other side, a child was crying.
Julian’s voice called through the metal.
“Mara, don’t let Adrian open this.”
Adrian placed his hand on the access panel.
The lock recognized his security code.
Mara caught his wrist.
“Why doesn’t he want you inside?”
Adrian looked at the door.
“Because Nathan’s key may have been used to lock the room.”