Chapter 10 - The Falling Mask
The morning,
sun rose,
over the,
city,
casting a,
golden light,
on the,
Sterling headquarters.
Ethan stood,
outside,
the building,
his clothes,
disheveled,
and his,
face,
bruised.
He carried,
a heavy,
satchel,
filled with,
the files,
and the,
USB drive.
He walked,
into the,
lobby,
past the,
receptionist,
who looked,
at him,
with surprise.
He did not,
stop,
walking,
straight toward,
the elevators.
He pushed,
the button,
for the,
penthouse,
the office,
of the,
CEO.
The doors,
opened,
and he,
stepped out,
into the,
plush,
carpeted,
hallway.
Victoria was,
waiting,
for him.
She stood,
in the,
doorway,
her face,
calm,
and composed.
She had,
already heard,
the news.
She had,
already prepared,
her defense.
Ethan,
she said,
her voice,
soft,
and conciliatory.
You look,
terrible.
Come inside,
let us,
talk about,
this.
Ethan stopped,
a few,
feet away.
There is,
nothing,
to talk,
about,
Victoria.
I have,
the evidence.
The proof,
of your,
fraud.
The proof,
of your,
mismanagement.
Victoria smiled,
a sad,
knowing,
smile.
Evidence,
can be,
fabricated,
Ethan.
Documents,
can be,
forged.
The board,
is already,
on our,
side.
They will,
not believe,
you.
Ethan reached,
into his,
bag,
pulling out,
the USB drive.
The board,
will believe,
this.
It contains,
the audio,
recordings.
The emails.
The secret,
accounts.
Victoria's,
smile,
faltered,
for just,
a second.
She stepped,
forward,
her voice,
dropping,
to a,
hiss.
You are,
a small,
man,
Ethan.
A mechanic.
No one,
will listen,
to you.
Ethan stepped,
forward,
his gaze,
unwavering.
They will,
listen to,
the truth.
Julian,
stepped out,
from behind,
the door,
a lawyer,
by his,
side.
He looked,
at Ethan,
with a,
hollow,
expression.
Give it,
up,
Ethan.
You are,
finished.
Ethan looked,
at them,
both,
the people,
who had,
stolen his,
life,
who had,
betrayed his,
father.
He felt,
a sense of,
calm.
He pulled,
out his,
phone,
and pressed,
a button.
The lobby,
doors,
opened,
and a,
group,
of federal,
agents,
walked in.
They moved,
with purpose,
their faces,
stern,
and focused.
Victoria,
turned pale.
Julian,
froze.
Ethan stepped,
aside,
letting the,
agents,
take the,
lead.
The game,
was over.
May you like
The truth,
had arrived.
