Chapter 10 - The Interrogation and the Secret Heir
Claire woke up tied to a heavy wooden chair inside an abandoned warehouse at Berth 14. The scent of saltwater and rust hung heavy in the air.
Warren Pike stood before her, smoking a cigar, while Vance Sterling paced nervously.
“Wake up, linguist,” Pike sneered, blowing smoke into her face. “You cost me fifty million dollars last night.”
Claire didn't cry. She raised her head, staring at Pike with cold contempt. “You’re already dead, Pike. You just haven't stopped breathing yet.”
Sterling yelled, “Where are the original translation notes?! Did Mercer send them to the federal prosecutor?!”
Claire laughed—a calm, mocking laugh that echoed through the cavernous warehouse.
“You think Gabriel Mercer needed those notes to destroy you?” Claire said in chilling, fluent Japanese, deliberately taunting them. “He already owns your shell companies. He bought your bank debts three hours ago. You aren't criminals—you’re bankrupt fools waiting for the executioner.”
May you like
Pike raised his hand to strike her.
Suddenly, the roof of the warehouse exploded inward with a deafening crash.
