Chapter 10 - The Betrayal Within
Grant’s eyes narrowed as he walked toward the window, looking out over the expansive manicured lawn of his estate. Rain continued to pour, but everything seemed quiet on the surface.
"Are you threatening me in my own home, Vance?" Grant asked quietly.
"I’m telling you the reality of the situation," Richard Vance replied smoothly. "You have until noon to bring that drive to my penthouse in downtown Columbus. Come alone, or I start pulling levers that will destroy your company, freeze your assets, and ensure Leah Reed spends the rest of her life in a federal prison for accomplice to extortion. You have four hours, Mercer."
The line went dead.
Grant lowered the receiver, his heart pounding against his ribs. Marcus walked into the room, his phone in hand, looking pale.
"Boss... we have a massive breach," Marcus reported, his voice shaking. "Someone inside our legal team just leaked a story to the national media alleging that Mercer Enterprises is being investigated for corporate fraud and money laundering. Our stock price is dropping like a stone."
Arthur Sterling gasped, looking at his laptop screen. "It’s true! The SEC just filed a sudden freeze on our primary operating accounts! We’re being locked out!"
Grant stood frozen as the realization hit him. Richard Vance hadn't just been waiting for the ledger; he had already planted a mole inside Grant’s inner circle months ago, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Who had access to our legal strategy files, Arthur?" Grant asked, his voice deathly quiet.
Arthur’s face drained of blood as he looked down at his assistant, a young attorney named David, who had been sitting at the far end of the table. David suddenly slammed his laptop shut and stood up, reaching for his coat.
"David..." Arthur stammered. "What did you do?"
David pulled a small silver device from his pocket and pressed a button. Suddenly, the security alarms across the estate began to blare, lights flashing red as the automated gates at the front of the property ground open.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Mercer," David said, his voice trembling with fear and greed. "Vance paid off my law school debts and promised me a partnership. He has the entire system rigged. You can't win this."
May you like
Before Marcus could draw his weapon, heavy black SUVs crashed through the open gates, spinning onto the front lawn as armed men spilled out into the storm.
---
