Chapter 1

A sleek black car stopped at a discreet, ultra-modern high-rise.

Sarah Miller stepped out, dressed elegantly but practically.

She glanced back at the car, at her best friend Maria.

"If I'm not out in an hour, just go," Sarah said.

Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled slightly.

"Pick me up in the morning."

Maria leaned forward, her face tight with worry.

"Sarah, are you sure? Meeting him alone... Maybe wait for David to get back from his conference?"

Sarah shook her head, her jaw set.

"Dad's arraignment is in a few days. I can't wait."

She turned and walked towards the building's entrance.

The heavy glass doors slid open silently.

Her father, John Miller, had been arrested a week ago.

Economic espionage, they called it. Selling classified technology.

Ethan Hayes was the lead prosecutor.

Sarah had tried to meet him officially, through lawyers.

Each attempt failed.

Then, a cryptic message, an "invitation" to his private penthouse, late at night.

Desperation had brought her here.

A silent security guard escorted her up in a private elevator.

The doors opened into a large study, not a bedroom.

Relief, small but sharp, pricked through her anxiety.

Ethan Hayes stood by a wide desk, reviewing documents.

He wore casual, expensive clothes.

He looked up as she entered. His eyes were cold, assessing.

"Ms. Miller," he said. His voice was smooth, deep.

Sarah managed a formal greeting.

"Mr. Hayes. Thank you for seeing me."

He almost smiled. "Such formality, Sarah. I remember you differently from university events."

He gestured to a chair. "You were much more... confident then."

She sat, her back straight.

"I was naive," she admitted, her voice low.

She had grown up privileged. Daughter of a celebrated CEO, John Miller, a man lauded for patriotic contributions to defense technology.

Her friend, David Chen, son of a prominent judge, was part of her world.

Ethan Hayes, then a scholarship student, brilliant but distant, had always seemed intimidating.

She barely noticed him back then. He, apparently, had noticed her.

"My father is innocent," Sarah said, the words rushing out.

She had to make him believe it.

"He's a patriot. He would never betray his country, his company."

Ethan Hayes listened, his expression unreadable.

"The evidence," he said coolly, "is compelling."

Sarah felt a chill. "What evidence?"

"Encrypted communications," Ethan stated. "Financial trails. They seem to lead directly to your father."

He paused, his gaze unwavering.

"And a specific, rare encrypted flash drive found in his possession."

Sarah stared at him, her world tilting. Her strong, honorable father, accused of this. It was impossible.