The paper slid across the polished mahogany table like a cold steel blade. Tyler Brooks stared down at the black legal print, his small eyes widening in complete horror. His greasy forehead broke out in heavy beads of sweat, ruining his smug, arrogant smile in a single second.

"Your insider at the city hall lied to you, Mr. Brooks," Julian spoke in a low, dangerous tone that made the air in the room feel heavy and suffocating. "He took your dirty money and handed you an illegal title. Because the former owner filed for bankruptcy under federal court protection three years ago, that land cannot be sold through private deals....