A cleaning lady approached a millionaire and told him not to travel with his wife. The next morning, there was a luxury car next to her humble house…

But the impact of his words hit Emily and James like a tidal wave. Sitting there in the dim, smoky bar, with the hum of conversations around them, Emily could hardly believe what she was hearing. The full extent of Amanda’s crimes was deeper, more insidious than even she had imagined.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, his eyes darting nervously around the room as if Amanda might appear at any moment. You don’t get it, he said, his voice trembling slightly. Amanda doesn’t just protect herself, she erases problems.

People who cross her, they don’t just disappear, they’re destroyed. Emily swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. What do you mean, she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. She’s ruthless. Her father taught her everything.

They’ve been running scams, frauds, backdoor deals for years, all under the radar. And when someone threatens to expose them, they make sure that person isn’t around to cause trouble. Your father, he wasn’t the first.

James clenched his jaw, the anger in his eyes palpable. And you were okay with that, he asked, his voice low and controlled. You were okay with helping her cover up murder.

Ryan flinched, guilt flashing across his face. I didn’t know how far it went at first. I thought, I thought it was just about the money.

But once I was in, there was no way out. Amanda made sure of that. Emily stared at Ryan, feeling a sickening mixture of anger and pity.

He was weak, but at least he was talking now. She couldn’t let her emotions cloud the mission. You need to give us something we can use against her, she said, her voice firm.

Something solid, something that ties her directly to my father’s death. Ryan nodded, glancing around the bar again. There are files, he said after a moment.

Amanda’s kept records of everything. It’s how she controls people, blackmail, leverage. If you get those files, you can bury her.

Where are they? James asked, leaning in closer. Ryan hesitated, then lowered his voice even further. She keeps them in a safe at her family’s estate upstate.

No one goes there anymore except her. The place is practically abandoned, but she still uses it to hide anything she doesn’t want anyone finding. Emily felt a surge of hope.

This was the break they needed. If they could get their hands on those files, they’d have everything they needed to take Amanda down for her father’s death, for the fraud, for everything. Can you get us in? James asked.

Ryan shook his head quickly. No way. If she even suspects I’m involved, I’m dead.

But the estate isn’t heavily guarded. Amanda thinks no one knows about it. If you’re careful, you could get in without anyone noticing.

James nodded, already thinking through the logistics. We’ll handle it. But you need to stay out of sight.

If Amanda finds out you flipped, she’ll come after you too. Ryan didn’t argue. He looked like a man on the edge, barely holding it together.

Emily wondered if, deep down, he regretted ever getting involved with Amanda in the first place. But now wasn’t the time for sympathy. They had a mission.

After leaving the bar, Emily and James walked down the street in silence. The cool night air sharp against their skin. The enormity of what they were about to do hung between them like a storm cloud.

Breaking into Amanda’s family estate was dangerous. If they were caught, there was no telling what Amanda might do. But it was the only way to end this.

We have to be smart about this, James said after a while, breaking the silence. If we go in unprepared, we’re done. Emily nodded, though her nerves were frayed.

I know. But we can’t wait. The longer we wait, the more time Amanda has to figure out we’re onto her.

We need to act fast. James stopped walking, turning to face her. His eyes were intense, filled with both concern and determination.

Emily, I don’t want you anywhere near that estate. It’s too dangerous. Emily bristled at his words, shaking her head.

I’m not staying behind, James. This is about my father. I deserve to be there.

James opened his mouth to protest. But one look at her face, and he knew it was no use. Emily wasn’t backing down.

She had come too far, learned too much, and she wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines now. All right, he said finally. But we do this carefully.

No risks. If anything feels off, we pull back. Emily nodded, though she knew deep down that pulling back wasn’t an option.

Not for her. Not when they were so close to getting the justice her father deserved. The drive to Amanda’s family estate the next evening was tense.

The silence between Emily and James thick with anticipation. The estate was far from the city, nestled in the quiet, sprawling hills of upstate New York. The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time they pulled up to the long, winding driveway, the shadow of the massive estate looming in the distance.

The estate was exactly how Ryan had described it. Abandoned, but still intimidating. The old mansion sat at the end of the driveway, its tall iron gate slightly ajar as if no one had cared to properly lock them.

Overgrown vines snaked their way up the stone walls, and the windows were dark, giving the place an eerie, forgotten feel. James parked the car a safe distance from the gates, killing the engine as they sat in the dark, watching for any signs of movement. But the estate was quiet.

No guards, no cameras that they could see. Are you ready? James asked, his voice low. Emily nodded, though her heart was pounding.

Let’s do this. They slipped out of the car, keeping low as they made their way toward the gates. The air was crisp, the night still, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig set Emily on edge…