Chapter 7 - The Unravelling of the SyndicateDown in the federal detention center downtown, Serena Montigue sat in a stark, stainless-steel interrogation room, staring at the cold concrete walls.
The illusion of grandeur was completely gone. Stripped of her designer clothes, her expensive cosmetics, and her fabricated identity, Sarah Miller—formerly known as Serena—realized how utterly trapped she was.
The heavy steel door swung open, and two men in dark federal suits stepped into the room. They weren't marshals. They wore the silver lapel pins of the United States Department of Justice, Organized Crime Division.
"Miss Miller," the lead agent greeted smoothly, sitting down across from her and opening a thick dossier stamped CLASSIFIED. "Let's talk about your associates in New York. Specifically, the syndicate network that financed your infiltration of the Blackwood estate."
Serena’s eyes widened in sheer horror. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. I acted alone."
The agent slid a photograph across the table. It showed Serena dining at an exclusive Manhattan restaurant six months ago with a notorious international money launderer linked to European syndicates.
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"You didn't target Victor Blackwood for social standing," the agent said coldly, leaning forward. "You targeted him because your handlers wanted backdoor access to the Blackwood shipping logistics network for illicit cargo transport. And when little Ethan started crying in the east wing... you nearly blew the entire operation because of your own personal cruelty."
Serena’s jaw trembled. The walls were closing in, and there was no escape left.
