Chapter 4 - Whispers in the Dark
The downfall of the Mercer Global Board made international headlines within hours. News cameras swarmed the plaza outside Mercer Tower as federal agents escorted Arthur Vance and seven executive board members out in handcuffs. The stock price plummeted by 18% in mid-day trading, sparking a frenzy on Wall Street.
Inside Rowan’s private penthouse suite atop the tower, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Clara Sterling lay in a plush, state-of-the-art hospital bed installed in the master bedroom. She was hooked up to IV fluids, her breathing steady now. Lily sat on the edge of the bed, carefully peeling the bruised apple from her paper lunch bag and handing small slices to her mother.
Rowan stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, watching the rain wash over the city skyline. Marcus stepped up beside him, holding a encrypted tablet.
“Arthur Vance paid his two-million-dollar bail thirty minutes ago,” Marcus reported softly. “His lawyers pulled strings through the state supreme court.”
Rowan didn't turn around. “I expected as much. Arthur has roots deeper than this building’s foundations. Where is he now?”
“He disappeared from his estate ten minutes after posting bail. But that’s not the biggest problem, Rowan.” Marcus tapped the screen, showing an encrypted signal pinging from an offshore server. “Vance didn't act alone four years ago. The missing $400 million wasn't just greed. It was funneled into a syndicate known as the Aegis Group.”
Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “The defense contractor syndicate?”
“Yes. And Clara didn't just find a financial leak, Rowan. She found evidence that Aegis was using Mercer Global’s shipping lines to transport unregistered military tech through international waters. Vance isn't just trying to save his money now—he’s trying to eliminate the witness who can put him in prison for life.”
Suddenly, the lights in the penthouse flickered once, twice, and then plunged into total darkness.
The emergency backup generators failed to kick in.
“Marcus!” Rowan yelled, drawing a concealed firearm from his desk drawer.
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“Primary power cut from the basement level,” Marcus whispered, drawing his own weapon. “They’re inside the building.”
From the hallway outside the penthouse, the muffled thud of silenced weapons echoed through the heavy steel doors. Lily shrieked in the dark.
