Semua Bab Midnight Heat: Bab 131 - Bab 140

Maya’s POVI watched the news reports with Elena as the empire started to crack, and the changes came faster than anyone expected. Several board members resigned in public statements. Government investigators froze major Cross assets across the country. The company stock plummeted as investors pulled out in panic. Havisham finally began to lose control.Elena pointed at the screen. “Three more board members left today,” she said. “They cite ethical concerns and the leaked files. The investigators move fast after the accountant’s death. The empire feels the pressure now.”I stood up and walked to the window. “Sarah’s evidence from the vault started this,” I replied. “The money trail and the hidden witnesses turned the board against him. The countdown adds more fear. Havisham lashes out at everyone around him.”Reports showed Havisham shouting at staff in the company halls. His face looked red and unstable. He fired longtime employees on the spot. Security around him grew tighter, but t

Maya’s POVI drove with Elena toward the lakeside property following Liam’s lead, and the road grew narrower as trees closed in around us. The old house appeared through the branches, abandoned and quiet beside the water. We parked at a distance and approached carefully on foot. Liam had described the location clearly despite his injuries. This place held Sarah’s last known traces.Elena checked the perimeter first. “No recent movement visible,” she said. “The house looks empty, but we stay alert. Liam mentioned signs of struggle inside. Sarah left something for us here.”I pushed the front door open slowly. Dust covered the floors, but fresh marks showed someone had been here recently. “She was held in this house,” I replied. “Liam saw evidence before they moved him. We search every room carefully. Sarah left clues for a reason.”We moved through the main area together. Broken furniture lay scattered. Old papers covered one table. Elena pointed toward a back hallway. “The hidden room

Maya’s POVGovernment agents stormed Cross headquarters with search warrants early that morning, and the entire building filled with sudden activity. Maya and Elena had gathered the key evidence that made this possible. Board members turned against Havisham in public statements. His assets froze under immediate orders. Closest allies abandoned him as the pressure grew too strong.I stood outside the main entrance with Elena as agents moved through the halls. “The evidence from the vault and the accountant worked,” I said. “Sarah’s network brought us here. The empire falls today.”Elena watched the agents carry boxes of documents. “Board members resign one after another,” she replied. “They cite the frozen assets and the leaks. Havisham loses everything in hours. The countdown forced their hand completely.”Inside the building, Havisham shouted at the agents. “This is illegal,” he yelled. “You have no right. Julian arranged this. He planned every step.”Julian stood calmly near the boa

Maya’s POVThe silence in the room felt like it could crush us all. I kept staring at the frozen image on the screen, at that signet ring that looked exactly like the one on Liam’s finger right now. My stomach twisted into knots. Part of me wanted to pull Liam close and tell him everything would be okay. Another part wondered how many more secrets this nightmare still held.Liam stepped back from me slowly. His face had gone white. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Maya, please. Look at me.”I turned. His eyes were full of pain and fear. I had never seen him look so shaken before.“I didn’t do this,” he said, his voice rough. “I swear on everything I have. Several rings identical to mine were made years ago. My father ordered them for trusted members of the Cross inner circle. Bodyguards, advisors, even some business partners who proved their loyalty.”Elena crossed her arms. “How many rings are we talking about here?”“Five or six, maybe more,” Liam answered. He pul

Maya’s POVMy back pressed hard against a supply cabinet while Liam kept his body in front of mine. The mercenary leader’s cold voice still echoed in my head. Julian wanted me alive. That single fact gave us a narrow opening, and I was done wasting it.“Elena, check the tablet for the full tunnel layout!” I shouted. “We turn this bunker into our trap.”Liam glanced at me, sweat on his forehead. “Maya, we can still try to push out the main door.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “They expect us to run. We stay and fight smart. Damien, jam every radio signal they have. Now.”Damien fired twice more, forcing two men to duck, then nodded. “Already working on it. Thirty seconds.”Elena crawled low across the floor and grabbed the dusty tablet from the table. “Three main tunnels. One loops back under the villa. One heads toward the cliffs. The last one opens near the beach.”I wiped sweat from my palms and spoke fast. “Perfect. Liam, you and Damien take the left tunnel. Cut their communicatio