Chapter 6: The Car Crash That Killed Your Parents...

The sales office for Billionaires' Row Luxury Residences smelled of expensive espresso and quiet arrogance.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Manhattan.

Marble floors reflected the afternoon sunlight.

Everything in the building screamed wealth.

The real estate agent looked June up and down.

His gaze lingered on her simple black coat.

No designer logos.

No visible jewelry.

No obvious signs of wealth.

His smile became politely dismissive.

"Ladies," he said slowly, as though speaking to children, "the entry-level units in this building start at twenty million dollars."

"Perhaps you're looking for something in a different neighborhood."

Vera immediately bristled.

"Excuse me?"

She took a step forward.

Ready to unleash her temper.

But June simply reached into her purse.

Without a word, she placed her titanium Centurion card onto the glass desk.

The heavy metal card landed with a sharp metallic clink.

The agent's eyes dropped to it.

His face instantly lost all color.

The dismissiveness vanished.

Replaced by panic.

Then excitement.

"I want to see the penthouse," June said calmly.

"Right now."

"Of course, ma'am!"

The agent nearly tripped over his own shoes rushing toward the private elevator.

"Please follow me."

Minutes later, the elevator shot upward.

Higher.

Higher.

Higher.

Finally, the doors opened on the ninetieth floor.

The view stole the air from Vera's lungs.

Glass walls wrapped around the entire residence.

The Manhattan skyline stretched endlessly in every direction.

Central Park looked like a painting.

The city glittered beneath the afternoon sun.

June slowly walked toward the windows.

Far in the distance, she could see the neighborhood where the Compton estate sat.

From up here, it looked insignificant.

Small.

Powerless.

Just like Cole would soon become.

"The penthouse is listed at forty-five million dollars," the agent babbled nervously.

"Private elevator access, rooftop infinity pool, executive office, wine vault, smart security system—"

"I'll take it," June interrupted.

The agent stopped speaking.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said I'll take it."

"The purchase will be completed through a private LLC."

"I want complete confidentiality."

The agent looked as though he might faint.

"Absolutely, Miss Erickson."

"Whatever you require."

"There's only one condition," June continued.

"I move in today."

"Get the paperwork prepared immediately."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The agent practically sprinted back toward the elevator.

Leaving June and Vera alone inside the massive penthouse.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then Vera finally turned toward her.

"You just bought a forty-five-million-dollar apartment."

"Cash."

"How are you still acting normal?"

"Practice," June replied.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

Unknown number.

June answered immediately.

"Hello?"

A weak, raspy voice emerged from the speaker.

"Miss June?"

"It's Arthur."

"Arthur Benson."

June froze.

Her pulse skipped.

"Arthur?"

"My father's driver?"

"You've been missing for ten years."

"I've been hiding," Arthur replied.

His voice trembled with fear.

"I saw the news about your divorce."

"You're no longer living under the Compton roof."

"I think it's finally time you learned the truth."

A cold feeling settled into June's chest.

She stepped out onto the massive outdoor terrace.

The wind whipped through her hair.

"What truth?"

There was a long pause.

Then Arthur spoke.

"The car accident that killed your parents wasn't an accident."

June's entire body went rigid.

"What?"

"I inspected the vehicle the day before the crash."

"The brake lines had been deliberately cut."

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

June gripped the glass railing tightly.

"Who did it?"

"I don't know for certain," Arthur whispered.

"But I saw your uncle Richard Erickson in the garage that night."

"And he wasn't alone."

June's heartbeat thundered in her ears.

"Who was with him?"

"Someone from a powerful family."

"I couldn't see his face."

"But I saw the car."

"It carried the Compton family emblem."

The blood drained from June's face.

A Compton.

The name echoed inside her head.

Her marriage suddenly felt different.

Darker.

More sinister.

"I have proof," Arthur continued urgently.

"Documents."

"Photographs."

"Records."

"But they've found me."

"I'm being watched."

"I need money if I'm going to disappear."

"How much?" June asked immediately.

"One hundred thousand dollars."

"Cash."

"Meet me tonight."

"Midnight."

"Brooklyn Navy Yard docks."

"Come alone."

Before June could ask another question, the call disconnected.

Silence filled the terrace.

The city stretched endlessly beneath her.

But suddenly it felt much darker.

Much more dangerous.

For years she believed her parents died in a tragic accident.

Now she was learning it might have been murder.

And somehow, the Compton family might be connected.

Vera stepped onto the terrace.

"June?"

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

Slowly, June lowered the phone.

Her eyes remained fixed on the skyline.

The warmth she had felt after leaving Cole was gone.

Something colder had replaced it.

Something far more dangerous.

"Everything okay?" Vera asked quietly.

June finally turned.

"No."

"Not even close."

"What happened?"

June's expression hardened.

"This isn't about divorce anymore."

"This isn't about revenge."

"Then what is it about?"

June looked toward the distant horizon.

"War."

The word hung heavily in the air.

At that exact moment, the elevator doors opened again.

The real estate agent rushed out carrying a thick leather folder.

"Congratulations, Miss Erickson," he said breathlessly.

"The paperwork is complete."

"Welcome to your new home."

June accepted the keys.

The cold metal felt heavy in her palm.

Not like house keys.

Like weapons.

For years she had been a victim.

A grieving daughter.

A neglected wife.

A woman who endured.

That version of June Erickson was gone.

Now she had money.

Power.

Resources.

And a target.

Somewhere in New York, someone knew the truth about her parents.

And before this was over, she intended to uncover every secret.

No matter who had to fall.