The Warning

Judith's Apartment – 1:05 AM

Judith shut the door and leaned back against it, her breathing unsteady.

The folder Travis Walker had left with her felt heavy.

She didn't trust him. Not a bit. But what she'd discovered in this folder might change everything.

She crossed the small living room and dropped onto her couch, opening the folder.

The documents were a mess—wire transfers, property deeds, and legal contracts. But on one name mentioned and mentioned again:

Brittany Knox.

Judith's forehead creased. Thomas Chan had given her an address that led her to Travis. And now, Travis was giving her something Thomas clearly didn't want her to see.

It was a game, and she was in the middle.

Her phone vibrated, startling her. It was a text message from a number she didn't recognize.

It simply said, "Leave it alone."

Her heart constricted. She had no other guess- Thomas.

She blew out sharply, locking her phone.

He wanted her to leave it alone, but that was not going to happen.

Morning – 8:00 AM

Judith did not sleep.

Before the sun rose, she had pored over every page in the folder.

One document caught her eye—a real estate deed.

A luxurious penthouse in the name of Brittany Knox.

It was not just any penthouse.

It was one of Thomas Chan's buildings.

Judith settled back in her mind.

If Brittany was living in one of Thomas's buildings, it meant she was something to him.

The question was why.

There was only one way to find out.

The Penthouse – 10:30 AM

Judith stood before the towering glass building with her bag gripped.

This was reckless, she knew that, but she had come too far to stop now.

She walked through the revolving doors, keeping her posture confident.

The lobby was sleek, modern, and expensive. A receptionist sat behind a curved desk, barely glancing up.

Judith approached.

"Hi, I'm here to see Brittany Knox," she said smoothly.

The receptionist's fingers paused over the keyboard. She looked up, expression unreadable.

"Name?"

"Judith Tucker."

There was a pause, and then, the woman answered the phone.

Judith's heart beat faster.

Seconds suspended, then

"Miss Knox isn't available."

Liar.

Judith forced a courteous smile onto her face.

"Can I leave a message?"

The receptionist's eyes flashed with something—wariness.

She knew Judith.

She knew that Judith wasn't supposed to be there.

"Of course," the woman said.

She gave Judith a blank card.

Judith took it, scribbling down her number and a quick message:

I know where the penthouse is. Call me.

She slid the card back onto the desk.

"Thank you," she said, turning to leave.

She had barely made it past the revolving doors when she felt it—

Someone was watching her.

She kept walking, resisting the urge to turn around.

As she left, her phone buzzed.

It was a single text from another unknown number that read "You just made a mistake."

Her stomach dropped.

Just when she was getting curious about why it was taking so long, a black SUV pulled up against the curb.

The back door opened, to reveal Thomas Chan sitting inside, Waiting.

"Get in, Miss Tucker."

Her heart was pounding. She didn't have an option.

Inside the Car – 10:45 AM

The door closed, holding Judith captive with him inside.

Thomas said nothing for a moment. He simply eyed her dark suit, sharp features, and collected, controlled, and lethal demeanor.

Finally, he breathed out.

"You don't listen, do you?"

Judith strained herself to glance up at him.

"You expected me to?"

Thomas emitted a low chuckle.

"No," he admitted. "But I did hope you'd be smarter." Judith clenched her fists.

"Who is Brittany Knox?"

Thomas didn't alter his expression.

"She's not your concern."

"Linked to you," Judith continued. "And Travis Walker needs me to dig up dirt on her."

There were a few seconds of silence, then, sitting forward slightly, Thomas said,.

"Travis gave you that folder for a reason," he said. "And it wasn't to help you."

Judith swallowed hard.

"Then what does he want?"

Thomas's eyes darkened.

"To use you."

That chilled her to the bone.

She had suspected it. But having Thomas say it made it real.

"If that's the case, why not just be honest?" she asked. "Who is Brittany?"

Thomas released a breath, looking out the window.

For the first time, he seemed. Annoyed.

"Some secrets," he whispered, "are better left buried."

Judith wasn't deceived.

"I don't stop digging just because someone tells me to."

Thomas's lips twisted into something almost amused.

"That," he said, "is exactly what makes you dangerous."

The car pulled over, and then Judith gazed out the window. It was her building.

Thomas turned to her.

"Drop this, Miss Tucker."

She didn't move.

"Or what?"

His face was still impassive.

"Or you'll wish you had."

It was a cold threat.

Judith's gaze met his, her heart racing.

Then, slowly, she reached out her hand to the door handle.

The minute she stepped out into the street, the car pulled away.

She stood on the sidewalk, watching it go down the street.

The message was clear.

She had just crossed the line, and there was no turning back.

Judith entered her apartment, locking the door.

Her hands shook.

She had hardly put down her bag when her phone rang. It was from an unknown number.

She paused, then picked up.

Silence.

Then, "Judith Tucker?"

A woman's voice on the other end: low and tense

Judith's breath quickened.

"Yes."

A pause.

Then, hardly above a whisper—

"You need to stop. Before it's too late."

Judith's hand clenched around the phone.

"Who is this?"

A tremulous exhalation.

Then came the reply, "Brittany Knox."