After leaving the hospital, Max drove to the edge of town where the Perry estate loomed, almost like a fortress. He parked at a distance, using the cover of dusk to approach unnoticed. Heavy gates and security cameras revealed the family’s concerns about their reputation rather than any real fear of external threats.

Max’s mind raced, plotting his next moves. Brad was confident, untouchable in his own eyes. He had the town’s elite wrapped around his finger, and his family’s influence ensured that the law was a flexible concept. But Max knew that arrogance was a weakness. Brad’s belief in his invulnerability was his Achilles’ heel.