Chapter 116: The Timeline That Breaks Illusion
The night did not stretch quietly.
It moved.
Fast.
Deliberate.
Like everything had shifted into motion at once.
---
Scarlett had not changed her position by the window for a long time.
Not because she was frozen.
But because she was thinking.
Connecting.
Rebuilding something that had just been torn apart in public.
---
Behind her, Rachel's fingers moved quickly across the tablet, lines of data reflecting in her focused eyes.
Julian stood near the desk, phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and controlled as he spoke to someone on the other end.
"Pull the archive," he said.
A pause.
"I do not care how long it has been. I want full access."
Another pause.
"Tonight."
---
He ended the call without another word.
---
Scarlett turned slightly.
"Hotel records?"
---
Julian nodded once.
"Yes."
---
Scarlett exhaled slowly.
"That is one piece."
---
Julian stepped closer.
"It is the foundation."
---
