Chapter 4 - The Price of Silence
Senator Vance, a man who had built his career on a "tough on crime" platform, began to tremble.
The projector screen flashed, displaying an audio file. The senator’s unmistakable voice filled the room, laughing as he accepted a five-million-dollar bribe to block a border security bill.
The other elites in the room backed away from him as if he were carrying the plague.
"Senator," Clara said, leaning over the balcony railing. "You have sixty seconds. Scan the QR code on the screen and wire your personal fortune—all twelve million of it—into the fund. Or tomorrow morning, you wake up in federal custody."
A massive red countdown clock appeared on the screen. 00:59... 00:58...
"Julian! Do something!" the Senator shrieked, looking at the billionaire.
"Don't pay her, Vance!" Julian commanded.
00:30... 00:29...
The crowd turned on the Senator. "Pay her, you idiot!" a hedge fund manager screamed. "She's going to out all of us if you don't comply!"
With ten seconds left, Senator Vance fell to his knees, pulled out his secure banking device, and scanned the code. With tears streaming down his face, he authorized the transfer.
May you like
The screen flashed green. TRANSFER COMPLETE.
"Wise choice, Senator," Clara said softly. "You keep your freedom, but you lose your crown. Now, who's next?"
