The doorbell echoes through the tense silence like a gunshot. Edward's eyes narrow as he glances toward the front door, then back at me.
"Popular evening," he mutters.
I stand frozen, every instinct screaming danger. The mysterious messages, Edward's interrogation, and now unexpected visitors. Too many variables colliding at once.
"I'll get it," Chloe says, moving toward the hallway.
"No." Edward's command stops her cold. "Nobody moves until we know who's out there."
The bell rings again, followed by sharp knocking. Whoever it is, they're not going away.
"Mr. Lancaster?" A woman's voice calls through the door. "This is Detective Sarah Chen with the NYPD. We need to speak with you about the Vincent Sterling press conference."
The blood drains from my face. Police. Here. Now.
Amelia grabs Edward's arm. "Why would the police be interested in a family dispute?"
"Because," Edward says grimly, "it's not just a family dispute anymore."
