Chapter Twenty-ThreeThe Breaking Point
The threat stopped being theoretical on a Thursday afternoon. Amara was in a meeting with a nonprofit legal advisory group — one of the organizations now working to ensure the exposed financial victims received restitution — when her phone began vibrating repeatedly against the conference table. She ignored it the first time. Then again. By the fourth vibration, something in her chest tightened. Julian. Five missed calls. Then a message. Call me. Now. Her stomach dropped. She excused herself calmly, stepping into the hallway before dialing him back. He answered immediately. “Where are you?” His voice was controlled — too controlled. “At the advisory office. What’s wrong?” A pause. Then— “They filed a civil suit.” Her mind tried to catch up. “Against who?” “Against you.”
- Writer
