Chapter 8: The Unraveling

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When the town mayor began his speech, Lucas stepped forward, clutching the ledger tightly. "Stop!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the crowd's murmur.

All eyes turned to him as he climbed onto the stage. "The people of this town deserve to know the truth," Lucas declared, holding up the ledger. "This book contains records of the corruption and betrayal that have plagued our community for years."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. The leaders on stage exchanged nervous glances, their composure faltering. Lucas opened the ledger and began to read aloud, detailing the illegal dealings and exploitation carried out by the town's elite.

The reaction was immediate. The crowd erupted in outrage, and shouts of "Lies!" and "Traitors!" filled the air. The leaders tried to regain control, but it was too late. The townspeople surged forward, demanding justice.

In the chaos, Lucas and Sarah slipped away, knowing they had ignited a fire that couldn't be extinguished. They headed towards the old church, where they had arranged to meet their allies.

But when they arrived, they found the church eerily silent. Lucas's heart sank as he realized something was wrong. They entered cautiously, only to find Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Johnson bound and gagged, surrounded by the town's enforcers.

"Welcome, Lucas," a voice sneered from the shadows. It was one of the town leaders, a sinister smile on his face. "You didn't really think we'd let you get away with this, did you?"

Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. They had walked into a trap.

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