The study at Vale House smelled of old leather, cigar smoke that had long settled into the heavy mahogany paneling, and the faint, bitter scent of dried lilies.

The secondary service tunnel was narrow, choked with exposed steam pipes and old electrical conduits, leading toward the mansion’s outdoor drainage basin near the river.

Behind them, the sound of boots pounding against the concrete floor echoed through the dark pipes.

"This way!" Celeste gasped, leading Adrian through a narrow iron access door that opened out into the rain-drenched woods behind the estate.

The storm was raging at its peak. Lightning lit up the dark canopy of the hemlock trees, thunder shaking the very ground beneath their boots.

They ran through the mud, their clothes soaked through instantly, until they reached the low stone wall bordering the north estate road.

Parked in the shadows of the pine trees was Thomas Mercer's grey sedan.

Thomas unlocked the doors from inside, leaning across the passenger seat. "Get in! Quick!"

Adrian shoved Celeste into the backseat, scrambling in behind her as Thomas slammed his foot onto the accelerator, sending a spray of wet gravel flying as the car hurtled down the dark road away from Vale House.

"Where are we going?" Thomas asked frantically through the rearview mirror, his hands shaking on the steering wheel.

Adrian wiped the rain and mud from his face, looking down at the black USB drive he had grabbed from the safe.

"To the State Police Headquarters in Hartford," Adrian said, his voice cold, steady, and unyielding. "And then to the Federal District Prosecutor."

Celeste looked at him, her dark eyes filled with shock, her hand reaching out to touch his wet arm. "Adrian... if you go to the authorities with those files, Vale Global will be dismantled. The stock will collapse. The family name will be ruined."