The tires squealed on the asphalt as Albert sped through the dark streets, cutting between cars with a desperation that caused Joan's heart to pound.
"What in the world just happened?" Albert asked, his fingers clenched on the wheel.
Joan barely had time to take in the words. Her own heart was still racing with the ambush, her wrists rubbed raw by the restraints. Alex sat beside her, gasping, his hands clenched.
"Davis betrayed us," she managed at last, her voice rough. "He ambushed us. He wanted us dead."
Albert cursed under his breath. "I knew he was against you, but I never thought he'd go so far."
"It's worse than that," Alex added. "Your father gave the order. He doesn't just want to keep us apart—he wants to eradicate us."
A heavy silence fell in the car.
"Then we have to attack him first," Joan whispered.
Albert shot her a glance in the rearview mirror. "How?"
Joan stood tall. "We don't expose him—we deprive him. His reputation, his authority, his empire. We stop this before he can harm us again."
Albert took a quick breath. "That's a dangerous gamble, Joan."
"So is letting him kill us."
Albert remained quiet for a long, long time. Then, after some time, he nodded. "Okay. Let's bring him down."
The Fractured Family
Mrs. Swan was in the dim study, her fists wrapping tightly around the base of her wine glass. She had been on the telephone for the last hour with Davis, trying to get an understanding of his motives.
"You did not need to take this route," she told him. "This is not merely about your father's reputation any longer—you nearly got your sister murdered."
"She's the one who bullied me," Davis snapped on the other end. "She's too stubborn to see that she's playing a losing game."
"And you?" Mrs. Swan retorted. "Do you think taking your father's part will get you out of this when everything comes tumbling down?"
Davis was silent.
Mrs. Swan sighed. "I hope, for your own sake, you come to your senses before it's too late."
She hung up before he could respond.
A minute after the words had run across the screens, Ruth burst into the study, her complexion ashen.
"Mom… you need to read this."
She handed over a telephone, and Mrs. Swan's breath was halted by the lines on the display.
"Uncovering the Harris Empire: Bribery, Scandals, and Corruption Unveiled."
The media fury had erupted.
The Fallout Starts
The following morning, Mr. Harris's name was on every news channel and social media. His corruption stories went viral—money laundering, bribery, election manipulation. All the illegal things he had hidden during years of service were now exposed.
At the Harris residence, the atmosphere was heavy.
Mr. Harris scowled at the TV, his face a mask as news anchors dissected his downfall.
"Who dropped this?" he was cold and calm, but his hands trembled with rage.
Davis hovered beside him, stiff and wordless.
"It was Joan," he finally confessed.
Mr. Harris's face went dark.
"Bring her here. Now."
The Safehouse
Joan paced up and down the small safehouse living room, her nerves tight as a wire. Albert had taken no chances—no telephones, no tracking devices—and she knew her father would not sleep until they were caught.
"Do you think it's working?" she asked, glancing over at Alex.
He nodded. "The media won't let up. We hit where it hurts him."
"But it won't stop him," Albert added. "We need to be ready for whatever he does next."
A knock at the door caused them all to freeze.
Albert exchanged a wary glance with Alex before rising and walking to the door. He peered through the peephole, then stepped back quietly.
"It's Chelsea."
He opened the door, inviting her inside.
Chelsea's face was flushed, her phone clenched in her hand.
"It's bad," she said starkly. "Dad's furious. He's already trying to bribe his way out of this, but the evidence is too strong. The public is turning against him."
Joan breathed out. "Good. Then we keep pushing."
Chelsea hesitated. "There's something else. Davis… he's looking for you. And I don't think he's visiting to chat."
Joan's blood chilled.
"Then we ensure he doesn't track us down first."
Brother Against Brother
Davis stood before the empty warehouse, his gun held firmly in his grip.
"Are you certain they're here?" he asked his informant.
The man nodded. "They've been on the move, but this is their last known location."
Davis took a deep breath.
He had told himself this was about the family, about keeping things in order. But deep within his heart, he knew better.
All this was about power.
And he did not want to lose.
He walked in, gun raised—only to find himself faced with Albert.
"Going somewhere?" Albert blocked his path.
Davis tensed. "Move, Albert."
"Or what?" Albert's eyes narrowed. "You gonna shoot me too?"
Davis hesitated.
Albert took a step forward. "You don't have to do this, Davis. It's not too late to switch sides."
"You don't get it," Davis sneered. "Dad built everything we have. If he goes down, we go down with him."
"No," Albert said. "If he goes down, we get to be free at last."
Davis's grip on the gun wavered.
For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes.
But before he could answer, a voice came from behind them.
"I knew you'd stall."
They turned—to find Mr. Harris himself standing in the doorway, two bodyguards flanking him.
Joan and Alex stood behind Albert, their expressions hardened.
A standoff.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
And then, Mr. Harris smiled.
"Let's see how far you're really willing to go."