Chapter 39
The success of the press conference completely derailed Charles and Sterling's political strategies.
Instead of destroying Harrison's reputation,
their leaked documents had provided him with a platform to demonstrate his honesty and vulnerability.
His poll numbers skyrocketed,
with voters respecting his willingness to take responsibility for his past mistakes.
Realizing that conventional political attacks were useless,
the corrupt elite grew desperate and unstable.
In their dark boardroom,
Sterling looked pale and panicked,
knowing that a Harrison victory would mean financial ruin for his corrupt syndicates.
"He is unstoppable in the polls,"
Sterling cried out,
slamming his glass onto the table.
"If he wins the election next month,
he will launch a full investigation into our corporate funding."
"Then we must ensure the election does not happen,"
Charles suggested,
his voice dropping to a sinister,
hushed tone.
"What are you suggesting,
Charles?"
Sterling asked,
his breath catching in his throat.
"An accident,"
Charles murmured,
his eyes cold and calculating.
"A major catastrophe in the city that forces the governor to declare a state of emergency and postpone the vote."
"We target the new community center Harrison is dedicating this weekend,"
Charles revealed,
unveiling a map of the facility.
"A structural failure,
caused by an explosive device disguised as a gas leak."
"That will kill dozens of innocent people!"
Sterling gasped,
shocked by the sheer brutality of the plan.
"It will kill Harrison's political career,"
Charles countered,
"and it will remind this city who truly holds the power of life and death."
Fortunately,
Marcus had kept his network of informants active within the city's corporate security firms.
The very next day,
an encrypted audio file arrived on Marcus's personal device,
capturing a portion of Charles's conversation.
Marcus immediately brought the recording to Harrison's study,
where Elena was also present,
working on campaign strategies.
They listened to the dark plot unfold through the speakers,
the room growing ice-cold as Charles's voice detailed the planned bombing.
"They are insane,"
Elena whispered,
her hands trembling with rage and horror.
"They are willing to slaughter innocent civilians just to protect their wealth."
Harrison stood perfectly still,
his face carved from granite,
his eyes burning with a righteous,
blazing fury.
The ruthless conqueror within him wanted to hunt down Charles and Sterling tonight and eliminate them without mercy.
But he controlled the anger,
channeling it into a precise,
strategic counter-plan that would destroy them legally and permanently.
"They want a catastrophe,"
Harrison said,
his voice remarkably calm yet terrifyingly intense.
May you like
"We will give them a trap,
and they will walk right into it."
