"I’m running out of time," Savannah muttered to herself.
She closed Leo’s text and called Mia immediately.
"Tell me," she said, her voice full of urgency, "if someone wanted to trace money through a shell company...how would they do it?"
Mia who was almost at the door of the apartment opened the door and looked at her.
"Good afternoon to you too," she said.
"Good afternoon," Savannah replied and hung up.
"What’s happening?" Mia asked, putting her bag on the couch and pouring herself a glass of water.
"I really need your help regarding a money trail problem," Savannah explained.
"Well...regarding the money trail you would need access to bank records, corporate filings, and probably a forensic accountant. Why?"
"I need you to look up a company called Harlow Holdings."
Mia raised her eyebrows in suspicion. She wanted to ask her the reason. But she also knew something was happening in Savannah’s life that she didn’t want to share with anyone. Mia trusted her. So she didn’t push her further.
"Give me the name again," Mia said.
"Harlow Holdings. I think it is connected to Victor Locke."
"Victor Locke," Mia said, already sitting on the couch and opening her laptop. "The one who has been trying to gain the control of Locke Group for years?"
"Yes."
Mia started typing while Savannah sat down across from her and watched. Mia dug through corporate registries, business filings, and news archives. But found nothing substantial, even after hours.
When Savannah realized neither of them had eaten, she ordered takeout while Mia made coffee. Mia took a short break, then kept searching.
Finally, at midnight, she looked at Savannah with tired eyes.
"Harlow Holdings is clean," she said.
"What?" Savannah sat up straight.
Mia nodded.
"It is registered in Delaware and has a legitimate business address. It files its annual reports on time and pays its taxes," Mia said, rubbing her temples. "There are no lawsuits, and no red flags. If this is a shell company, it’s the cleanest one I’ve ever seen."
"There has to be something."
"There isn’t...at least not on paper," Mia turned the laptop toward her. "Look. The directors are listed. The shareholders are listed. The money flows in and out like any normal investment firm."
Savannah stared at the screen in disbelief.
But I remember the article. Harlow Holdings was Victor’s weapon. It drained the Locke accounts for years, and no one found out until it was too late.
She closed her eyes in frustration.
"I need proof," she said quietly.
"Where would you get it?" Mia asked.
"I need resources and access," she replied.
She looked around and realized she was sitting in her best friend’s apartment with no job and no money. There was no way she could get near the Locke family on her own.
The only people who could help her were the ones who had just thrown her out. The Quinn family was still elite. It still had connections and resources she needed.
"The Quinns," she said.
"What?"
"I need the Quinns."
"Savannah...your father himself kicked you out."
"I know," Savannah stood up. "But they have money, connections and access to Victor Locke."
"And you think they’ll just hand it over to you?"
"No," Savannah smiled. "I need to think of something."
It was already morning and Savannah had no plan. She knew her father wouldn’t let her inside the mansion until she apologizes to Ethan’s mother. And she didn’t want to do that. Apologizing to Ethan’s mother meant giving Ethan another chance. And she absolutely didn’t want to involve herself with Ethan now.
She was still deep in her thoughts when her phone buzzed. It was her mother.
"Mom...why is she calling me?"
She hesitated a little then answered.
"Savannah..." Diane said softly. "How are you, darling?"
"I’m fine."
"Good. Good," she paused. "Listen, I know things have been difficult. Your father was harsh, and I told him so. But you know how difficult he gets sometimes."
Savannah didn’t answer.
"Anyway," Diane continued, "we’re having a small dinner for Celeste tomorrow. We are preparing for her engagement announcement. And I thought...we all thought...it would be great if you came."
Savannah’s grip tightened on the phone.
"You want me to come to Celeste’s engagement preparation dinner?"
"Yes. The elders are going to discuss the arrangements, that’s all," her mother replied. "And Savannah...I want to be honest. Celeste was very hurt by what happened at the Locke lunch."
"What happened?"
"Ansel didn’t show up...because of you."
"Because of me?"
"Victor said Ansel was still upset about the slap. And then there were headlines, and that awful video with Margaret Moore!" Diane sighed. "It’s been a lot for everyone, Savannah. Especially for Celeste."
For Celeste...always for Celeste.
"I think, if you came to dinner and apologized to Celeste properly...it would make things better."
Savannah closed her eyes in frustration. Her awful family had to make everything about Celeste. She wanted to say no. But she wanted Quinn’s family resources as well. Right now, they mattered more than her pride.
"Okay," she said.
"Really?" Diane asked, not believing Savannah agreed so easily.
"I’ll come...and I’ll apologize."
"Oh, Savannah. That’s wonderful. I knew you’d..."
"But not because I owe Celeste anything."
"What..."
"I’ll be there at seven," Savannah said and hung up before her mother could say anything.
Mia, who had been listening everything from the kitchen doorway, crossed her arms.
"That is what you needed. Isn’t it?"
Savannah nodded and smiled.
Savannah reached the Quinn mansion exactly at seven and rang the doorbell. Diane opened the door with a bright smile.
"Savannah! You came!"
"I said I would."
"You look lovely," Diane said, taking her coat. "Everyone is in the dining room. Celeste is so excited to see you."
I’m sure she is.
Savannah walked into the dining room and the first person she saw was Victor Locke. He was sitting at the head of the table, on her father’s seat holding a glass of red wine and was smiling at something her father had said.
Beside him sat a young woman Savannah recognized in an instant. She was Sienna Locke.
Victor’s daughter and Celeste’s most loyal fan. In her previous life, Sienna had been one of the people who constantly tormented her by spreading vicious rumours about her.
"Well," Sienna said, looking at her. "Look who decided to show up."
The room fell silent.
"Savannah! You came!" Celeste said, smiling warmly.
"I told mom I would."
"I’m so glad," Celeste stood and walked towards her with open arms. Savannah hugged her back with a fake smile.
"Sit next to me. I saved you a seat," Celeste said, pulling back.
Savannah nodded and sat. Sienna leaned across the table and smiled sharply.
"So you’re the one who slapped my cousin."
"Yes," Savannah replied, looking into her eyes.
"And then dumped your boyfriend in public," Sienna laughed. "Quite a week. What’s next? Running over a puppy?"
"Sienna," Victor said calmly. "Be polite."
"I’m just saying," Sienna said picking up her wine glass. "It’s a lot of drama for one person. Makes you wonder what she’s really after."
Savannah smiled and picked up her own wine glass.
"You know...I’ve been wondering the same thing about you."
Sienna’s smile disappeared.
"Excuse me?"
"You’ve been glued to Celeste for years. You’ve been following her around, copying her style, and even mimicking the way she talks and laugh," Savannah paused taking a sip of wine. "What exactly are you after?"
Sienna’s face turned red.
"I..."
"Ladies," Victor’s voice cut through the tension. "This is a celebration. Let’s not spoil it."
Savannah turned to look at him and found him watching her with interest and calculation.
"To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass to her.
"To new beginnings," Savannah replied, raising her glass in return.
After dinner, Savannah excused herself to use the bathroom. But instead, she walked down the hallway and reached her father’s study. The only place where she could find something useful. The door was closed, but its light was on inside. Savannah stopped and heard faint voices coming from inside.
"It’s just a matter of paperwork," Victor was saying. "The birth record can be adjusted. It’s been done before."
Birth record? Whose birth record? Mine or Celeste’s?
"I don’t know," her father said. "It feels risky."
"Richard." Victor said. ""We’ve been doing this for years. You trust me, don’t you?"
"Of course I trust you. It’s just if someone finds out..."
"They won’t," Victor cut him off. "The consulting fees will go through Harlow Holdings, as always. It’s clean."
Savannah immediately pulled out her phone, held it close to the door and start recording.
"Consulting fees?" Richard asked.
"For your continued discretion," Victor replied.
Then continued talking.
Finally, I have proof that Victor and my father are working together on something and Harlow Holdings...
Ring. Ring
Her phone rang. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway like a gunshot. Savannah froze.
The voices inside stopped and the door swung open.
Victor Locke stood in the doorway, smiling warmly.
"Savannah...How long have you been standing there?"