Chapter 8 · The Girl and the Bodyguard

Chapter 8

The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.Blake took a step forward, but Harlan raised one hand to stop him."You think you can threaten me?" Harlan said."Not a threat," I said. "It's a deal. Hands off Clara and Nina, and I destroy the file. We both get what we need.""And what if I say no?" Harlan asked."Then your 1.5 billion dollar deal goes up in smoke," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "And it's not just the deal. Smith's case is still wide open, and the authorities are all over his network."Once this transfer record leaks, you really think they won't trace it straight back to you?"A chill flickered in Harlan's eyes.He didn't answer—just turned and shot a look at his lawyer.The lawyer leaned in close and murmured something in his ear.Once he finished listening, Harlan turned his gaze back to me."What's your name?" he asked."Hank Lowe," I replied."Hank Lowe," he repeated, his tone laced with a mocking amusement that made one's skin crawl. "You really think you can bargain with me just because you've got a file?"Do you have any idea what happens to people who try to make deals with me in this city? They never walk away in one piece.""I don't care what happens to me," I said.I locked eyes with him."Let me tell you something, Harlan. Three years ago, a guy fell for a woman, wanted to marry her. His old man said no. One week later, the guy was dead—car crash."His expression darkened."And now, that woman's dying, her kid's just five. And the old man? He's back for more." I stood up, leaned over the table, staring him down."Harlan, you already had your own son killed. Are you really going to let your granddaughter die, too?"The room went dead silent.Harlan's face went from livid to ashen.His lips were trembling.Blake and Ethan exchanged a glance, both of them in utter shock.Even they had no idea about this.Harlan stayed silent for a long time.Then he stood up, straightened his coat collar, and turned toward the door.When he reached the door, he stopped."You got me," he said.His voice was barely above a whisper, as if he were forcing the words out through clenched teeth."But only this time," he added.He pushed the door open and walked out.The lawyer and Blake followed behind, and Ethan was the last to leave. Right before he stepped out, he gave me a hard look.The door closed.I stood there, letting out a long breath.My palms were slick with sweat.Half of what I said was true, and the other half was just a bluff.Smith's transfer records were legit. Quint handed them over to me.But the whole "scheduled send" thing? That was pure bluff.I was betting Harlan wouldn't have the guts to gamble on this.With a 1.5-billion-dollar project hanging in the balance, plus the threat of the authorities breathing down his neck, there was no way he could stomach the fallout.So he backed off.He was right about that.Only this time.Harlan wasn't someone who'd ever accept losing.He might've backed down today, but tomorrow he'd be scheming to take back control.I had to get all my moves lined up before he made his next play.I stepped out of the lounge and made my way back to Room 1208.I knocked, and when the door opened, Clara was standing there, looking really tense."How did it go?" she asked."He's gone. He won't be coming back anytime soon," I said.Clara swayed a little, grabbing the doorframe to steady herself."Really?" Her voice was shaky."Yeah. But it's just temporary."I walked into the hospital room and took a seat in the chair by the bed."Ms. Lynn, I need you to be straight with me about something.""What is it?""Did Merrill leave you anything before he died? Documents, audio, videos—anything at all?"Clara froze for a second, looking stunned."Why are you asking?""Just because Harlan backed off today doesn't mean he'll stay out of the game for good. I need more ammo."Clara was quiet for a moment, then walked over to the nightstand, pulled open the bottom drawer, and took out an old envelope.The envelope was yellowed with age, its seal wrapped in several layers of tape.

Chapter 8