Chapter 23 Collateral

• Chapter 23: The Grip Tightens
• Vicktor’s icy stare bore into Amanda as the tension in the room became unbearable. She felt like she was suffocating under the weight of his suspicion, and no matter what she said, it didn’t seem to change the dark thoughts brewing in his mind. He was more than just angry—he was suspicious, and that was far more dangerous.
• “Vicktor, you have to believe me,” Amanda pleaded, her voice trembling. She could feel the desperation clawing at her throat, but she tried to stay calm. “I didn’t know about my father’s past. I didn’t even know he had any connection to them!”