The meeting with the accountant never happened.
Because on his way there…
His car exploded.
The news spread instantly.
Attempted assassination.
Aria's blood ran cold.
This wasn't corporate politics anymore.
This was life or death.
Ethan found her shaking in her apartment.
"They're escalating," she whispered.
"Yes."
"Your mother—"
"We don't have proof."
"But we both know."
Ethan pulled her into his arms.
"I won't let them touch you."
For the first time, fear overtook anger.
Margaret had crossed a line.
But desperation makes people reckless.
And reckless people make mistakes.
Later that night, security footage from a private garage surfaced.
A familiar figure speaking to a mechanic hours before the explosion.
Victor Hale.
From prison.
Smiling.
Is Victor working alone… or with Margaret?
ALONE or TOGETHER?