Elara's POV
"She claims it was research funding. Nothing more. Says they never met before that day outside the apartment. So in her version, the three hundred grand Celeste wired her proves nothing. But the Council judges still want to charge her with attempted murder. Life in prison."
He talked fast, still rattled, hands tight on the wheel. I let it sink in before I said anything.
"Wait. Celeste sent this woman money before France? Before the three of you were ever standing outside that apartment together? When exactly did the money go through?"
Then it clicked. That's why he needed me. If the transfer happened while Celeste was standing somewhere with me, she had an alibi. Proof she never met the impostor face to face. It was thin. But it was the only version where any of this held t
