Chapter 7 - The Compromised Mentor
I stared at Sophia, completely unable to process the massive, devastating betrayal unfolding right in front of me.
The four tactical federal agents standing outside the glass door were completely oblivious to the silent standoff occurring inside the small office.
"Sophia, what are you doing?" I asked, keeping my voice incredibly low and calm.
"He has my daughter, Liam," she whispered, a rogue tear slipping down her hardened cheek.
"Ethan found out about the investigation weeks ago, and he kidnapped my little girl to ensure I protected his cartel money."
My heart plummeted into my stomach as the true, horrifying extent of Ethan's monstrous leverage was fully revealed.
He didn't just buy corrupt cops; he ruthlessly blackmailed the highest-ranking federal investigators to maintain his untouchable status.
"If you let him move that money, the cartel will simply kill your daughter anyway to tie up loose ends," I reasoned desperately.
"I cannot take that risk," Sophia cried, her finger tightening dangerously on the sensitive trigger of her weapon.
"Abort the sequence, or I swear to God I will put a bullet in your brain."
Before I could make a completely impossible choice, the heavy office door swung open.
Audrey stood in the doorway, pushing a heavy, metal medical supply cart directly into the room.
She took one look at the weapon pointed at my head and did not hesitate for a single, microscopic second.
Audrey shoved the heavy metal cart with absolutely every ounce of her remaining strength, slamming it violently into Sophia's side.
Sophia gasped in sudden pain, stumbling backward and dropping her federal weapon onto the linoleum floor.
I instantly lunged forward, securing the gun and kicking it safely across the sterile room.
I turned back to the glowing laptop screen just as the progress bar hit one hundred percent.
A bright, green notification flashed across the monitor, confirming that Ethan Vance's entire financial empire was officially, permanently frozen.
He was now completely broke, entirely stripped of the millions he needed to appease his violent, unforgiving cartel bosses.
I helped a sobbing Sophia off the floor, feeling a profound sense of pity for the impossible situation she had been forced into.
"We are going to get your daughter back, Sophia," I promised firmly, looking her directly in the eyes.
"How?" she wept, completely utterly defeated.
"Because Ethan has absolutely no money left, which means he only has one single piece of leverage remaining."
My secure phone buzzed violently in my pocket, displaying a blocked, untraceable number.
I answered the call and put it on speaker for everyone in the room to hear.
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"You took my money, Liam," Ethan's voice seethed with a level of pure, unadulterated rage I had never heard before.
"But I still have your sweet, estranged little sister, and I am going to make her scream until you give it back."
