He clicked through more files. Financial records showing millions of dollars moving through shell corporations. Emails discussing bribes to judges, politicians, police officers.
Photos of Blake family members meeting with known criminals.
And then we found the file labeled "SARAH CHEN - FINAL RECORDING."
Adrian looked at me. "Do you want to see this?"
"I have to," I said, even though every instinct screamed at me to run.
He played it.
The video was from inside a car Sarah's car, based on the dashboard. It was nighttime, raining. Sarah was driving, and she looked scared.
"If you're watching this, Emma," Sarah said into the camera, "it means I didn't make it. It means they got to me." Her voice shook. "I've gathered enough evidence to destroy the Blake family. Everything you need is on this drive. But Emma, you have to be careful.
They have people everywhere. Police, judges, FBI agents they're all bought. You can't trust the system."
She took a shaky breath. "There's only one person at Riverside you can trust. Adrian Blake. I know, I know he's one of them. But little sis, he's different. He hates what his family does. He's been helping me gather this evidence. And if something happens to me, he's the only one who can protect you."
My eyes flew to Adrian. He was staring at the screen, his jaw clenched, tears in his eyes.
"Adrian will keep you safe," Sarah continued. "But Emma, you have to make him care about you. Really care about you. Because that's the only way he'll risk everything to protect you. The Blake family… they're monsters. But Adrian? He's trying so hard to be different. He's trying to be good. Help him. And let him help you."
Sarah wiped tears from her eyes. "I love you so much, little sis. I'm sorry I lied about college. I'm sorry I put you in danger by leaving this for you. But someone has to stop them. Someone has to make them pay for all the lives they've destroyed. And if I can't do it, then you will. I believe in you, Emma. I always have."
The video cut out suddenly. Static. Then nothing.
Adrian was on his phone immediately, typing rapidly. "The timestamp. The video cuts off at 11:47 PM. Emma, what time did Sarah die?"
"Just after midnight," I whispered. "The police said the accident happened around 12:15 AM."
"So this was recorded right before." His face was grim. "She knew they were coming for her. She was scared, and she recorded this message for you."
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Sarah had known she was going to die. She'd known, and she'd faced it anyway. Because she believed the evidence mattered more than her life.
"Emma." Adrian's hand was on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I tried to protect her. I warned her to be careful, to not go anywhere alone. But she insisted on meeting a source that night. She said it was urgent. And I…" His voice broke. "I should have gone with her. I should have been there."
"It's not your fault," I said automatically.
"It is," he said fiercely. "She died because of my family. Because of me. And I've spent two years trying to make it right. Trying to finish what she started."
I looked at him really looked at him. The pain in his eyes was real. The guilt was real. He'd cared about Sarah. Maybe even loved her.
"Did you…?" I couldn't finish the question.
"Did I love her?" He understood immediately. "Not romantically. But I cared about her. She was brilliant and brave and she made me believe I could be better than my family. She was my friend. One of the only real friends I've ever had."
My phone buzzed: "You've seen the truth now. Sarah died for that evidence. The question is: what will you do with it? You have 38 hours to decide. Option 1: Take the evidence to the FBI (50% chance they're bought by the Blakes). Option 2: Make it public (100% chance the Blakes kill you). Option 3: Use Adrian Blake to destroy his family from the inside. Trust him, Emma. Your sister did. 38 hours."
I showed Adrian the message. His expression darkened. "Someone's been helping you. Guiding you. Who?"
"I don't know. They're anonymous. But Adrian…" I met his eyes. "They keep telling me to trust you. Just like Sarah did."
"Then trust me," he said softly, moving closer. "Emma, I swear on everything I have on Sarah's memory I will protect you. I will help you bring down my family. And I won't let what happened to her happen to you."
"Why?" I asked. "Why risk everything for me? You barely know me."
"Because Sarah asked me to," he said simply. "Because you're brave enough to come here seeking truth. Because when I look at you, I see someone who could actually make a difference. Because…" He stopped, something shifting in his expression.
"Because what?"
"Because from the moment I saw you, I knew you were going to change everything," he admitted. "I knew my carefully controlled life was about to explode. And Emma? I'm ready for it. I'm ready to burn down my family's empire. I just need you to let me."
We stood inches apart, the air between us charged with something electric. Dangerous. Inevitable.
"This is crazy," I whispered.
"Completely," he agreed.
"I barely know you."
"You know the most important thing I'm on your side."
"Am I supposed to trust the son of my sister's killer?"
"No," he said honestly. "You're supposed to trust the man who's been trying to avenge her death for two years. The man who's about to commit treason against his own family. The man who…" He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers through me. "The man who's falling for you way too fast and knows it's a terrible idea."
My breath caught. "Adrian"
"I know," he said. "Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong everything. But Emma, I need you to know this isn't about Sarah anymore. This isn't just about finishing what she started. You matter. To me. Already."
My phone buzzed. Reality crashed back. "Touching. But save the romance for after you survive. Right now, you need to focus.
Maxwell Blake knows you're alive. He knows you're at Riverside. And he knows Adrian is with you right now. You have company coming. Leave. Now. 37 hours, 52 minutes."
"We need to go," I said, showing Adrian the message.
He was already moving, grabbing a laptop, shoving files into a bag. "They're tracking us. Damn it, I should have known. My father has my apartment monitored."
"What do we do?"
"We run," he said, grabbing my hand. "And we don't stop until we're somewhere safe."
We made it to the elevator just as the apartment door burst open. Men in dark suits poured in Blake family security.
The elevator doors closed just in time. Adrian was on his phone, typing rapidly.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Somewhere they can't follow," he said grimly.