BEYOND THE CONTRACT
“It doesn’t look accidental.”
Sophia took a shaky step forward. “What about Ma Rachel?” she asked, her voice trembling. “She—she owns the place. Is she okay?”
The officer exchanged glances with another policeman before answering carefully. “We haven’t found her yet, ma’am. She’s missing.”
Sophia’s stomach twisted. “Missing?” she echoed.
Before the officer could respond, a voice came from behind them—cool, familiar, and edged with tension.
“Of course she’s missing,” said Jason, Julian’s closest friend and business partner, as he strode toward them. His shirt was half-tucked, as if he’d come straight from bed. “This isn’t random, Julian. This is a message.”