The city woke to rain and rumor.
By noon, every drawing room and parlor whispered the same words:
The Ministry of Justice under inquiry.
Minister Cross accused of collusion.
Evidence surfaced — documents implicating his family's bank.
The Cross name, once spoken with reverence, now carried a metallic taste of scandal.
Serena heard it first from Emily. She'd come back early, her face pale, her voice barely steady.
"They're printing it," Emily said. "The Gazette and the Herald both. Someone leaked the accounts."
Serena set down her cup slowly. "Leaked?"
Emily nodded. "Numbers, ledgers, the works. The Cross family financed both sides of the revolution. It's everywhere, Serena."
The porcelain clattered softly as Serena's hand slipped. "No… it's too soon."
Emily's eyes softened. "You knew it was coming."
She did. Charlton had warned her days ago — that the first tremor would shake the Ministry to its foundation.
But knowing hadn't prepared her for this.
