Money comes first before love

he could gauge just how deep she was willing to div

people don't warn you out of kindness. Hastings showing up at your door?

r focus flitted between the highlighted transactions and the names attached to them. Shell co

to tragedies no one ever talks about. The factory collapse in Thailand, the oil spill in Alaska...h

n't illegal, and settlements like these are airtight. Even if you write the s

nce. There has to be someone out there who's willi

a whistleblower to come forward against a man who owns half the city. Do you know

at? We just let him get away with it? Let him keep rui

you need to be smarter than him. He already thi

beneath layers of corporate jargon and legal red tape. It wasn't just about money; it was about people. Famil

in Hastings's inner circle. Others were victims who had taken settlements

factory collapse in Thailand. Elena ran a quick search on her laptop, finding a scattering of articles about the tragedy. Most were vague, but on

from the public ey

yboard. If Sophia was still alive,

ut of her thoughts. She glanced

t. But curiosity-and an underlying s

e," she said

other end for a moment.

d. "I told you to be careful,

her throat. "How did

e replied evenly. "Including the fact tha

came to my apartment uninvited, Hastin

ou're getting into, do you? This isn't just about business, E

s about a few bad deals and some buried tragedies? Af

ame? You think exposing me will make you a hero? You have no idea

let him intimidate her. "And you have no id

could almost feel it pressing down on her.

"But bravery won't save you. Walk

dead before sh

ords weren't just a warning-they were a promise. But

s, a modest apartment complex in Queens. It had taken hours of r

brick facade weathered by time. She knocked on

ad expected, her face lined with worry and exhaustion.

" Elena aske

ssion hardened

journalist. I'm looking into the factory collapse in

nced down the hallway as if checking for witness

ngs is covering up what really happened, and I know you tri

ring with fear and uncertainty. F

But if you're smart, you'll st

dn't know what Sophia was about to reveal, but

me, she wondered if

lly was playi