Novel

Chapter 2: The Ledger Cost

Protagonist is pushed into a sharper version of the book's central pressure. Let pursuit of the lead expose a higher price or hidden rule instead of only adding mood. It should visibly deliver on the promise of "Before the body, record, or witness disappears into a protected system". It should also strengthen the lane promise behind "black ledger". Enforcer or the system around them should hit back harder by the end.