Favors.
Debts.
Names.
Threats.
Guard schedules.
People she had manipulated.
People who owed her.
People who had helped her.
"Why?"
"Insurance."
Claire's expression changed.
"If she has evidence against people..."
"Exactly."
Claire understood.
Victoria's power wasn't just fear.
It was information.
"Where is it?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"Nobody knows."
Claire looked toward the security camera.
"Someone does."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"What are you planning?"
Claire stood.
"Finding it."
Chapter 4 — The Night Everything Broke
The storm arrived just after midnight.
Rain hammered against the prison windows.
Thunder shook the old building.
The lights flickered.
Then went out.
The entire unit plunged into darkness.
Women shouted.
Doors slammed.
A guard yelled for everyone to remain calm.
Emergency lights flickered on.
Victoria emerged from her cell.
She wasn't frightened.
She looked prepared.
Claire noticed.
Victoria walked directly toward the administration corridor.
Claire followed from a distance.
Evelyn grabbed her arm.
"Don't."
Claire whispered.
"She's going somewhere."
"Let her."
"No."
They followed.
At the end of the corridor, Victoria stopped beside a maintenance door.
She pulled something from her pocket.
A key.
Claire's eyes narrowed.
Victoria unlocked the door.
Claire waited until she disappeared inside.
Then she followed.
The room was small.
Shelves lined the walls.
Old files covered a desk.
Victoria opened a metal box.
Inside was a thick black notebook.
The ledger.
Claire stepped into the doorway.
"Looking for this?"
Victoria froze.
Slowly, she turned.
Claire stood behind her.
Victoria smiled.
"You should have stayed in your cell."
Claire looked at the notebook.
"How many people have you controlled with this?"
Victoria's smile disappeared.
"More than you can imagine."
"Then give it to me."
Victoria laughed.
"You don't understand."
She lifted the notebook.
"This isn't evidence."
She tapped the cover.
"It's power."
Claire took a step forward.
"No."
She shook her head.
"It's proof."
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"Proof of what?"
"That you were never as powerful as everyone thought."
Victoria lunged.