CHAPTER 18
The drive to Austin felt like an eternity,
the dark highway stretching out before them like an endless ribbon of asphalt.
Megan held the flash drive,
knowing it was their only leverage against a man who possessed unlimited wealth and power.
She formulated a plan,
a high-stakes gamble where a single mistake would mean death for all of them.
They arrived at the gates of Vance's sprawling estate just before midnight,
the massive iron structures looming like prison walls.
Thomas pressed the intercom,
and Megan spoke clearly into the microphone,
her voice carrying no hint of fear.
"Tell Julian Vance that Megan Walker is here,
and I have the ledger he wants."
The gates clicked open slowly,
allowing the vehicle to pass through the manicured lawns toward the grand mansion ahead.
As they stepped out of the car,
they were met by four armed guards,
who searched them thoroughly before leading them into the house.
They were escorted into a grand library,
where Julian Vance sat in a leather armchair,
sipping a glass of expensive scotch.
In the corner of the room,
tied to a wooden chair,
was Jack,
his face beaten and bloody,
his breathing heavy.
"Dad!"
Lily cried out,
trying to run to him,
but a guard caught her arm,
holding her back brutally.
"Let her go,
Julian,"
Megan commanded,
stepping forward,
drawing the billionaire's attention away from the girl.
"Ah,
Megan,
the triumphant CEO,"
Julian smiled,
setting his glass down on the table with a soft click.
"I must admire your courage,
coming here to give me what is mine."
"It's not yours,
Julian,"
Megan said,
holding up the flash drive so he could see it clearly in the light.
"This is your ticket to a federal penitentiary,
along with half your board of directors."
"Only if you leave this room alive to deliver it,"
Julian sneered,
nodding to his guards,
who raised their weapons instantly.
Megan didn't flinch,
smiling coldly as she reached into her pocket,
pulling out her phone,
showing a live-streaming application.
"I am currently broadcasting this entire encounter to a secure server at the FBI,"
she revealed,
her voice echoing with absolute authority.
"If any of us are harmed,
May you like
or if I don't enter a safety code every five minutes,
the files are automatically released to the press."
