One of the workers whispered, “Please do what she says.”
I looked at her bruised wrist and understood. This was larger than campaign fraud. They had confiscated passports, threatened families, and trapped workers on the estate.
“Where are their documents?” I asked.
The room went silent.
Damian stepped close enough for me to smell whiskey. “You ask too many questions.”
“And you answer them when you are angry.”
His eyes hardened. “After tomorrow, the police chief answers to me. Inspectors answer to me. Everyone answers to me.”
The watch captured every word.
Adrian suddenly noticed the green pulse beneath my sleeve. He ripped the watch away and smashed it against the counter.
Celeste smiled. “Now call your precious brother.”
“I already did.”
For one second, no one moved.
Then Damian grabbed the blue ledger and shoved it into the open oven. I lunged, but the guard pinned my arms. Smoke curled from the leather as pages blackened.
