Chapter 5 - The Gala of Deception
New Year's Day. While the rest of the world was recovering from celebrations, the elite of Chicago’s financial district were attending the Mayor's annual charity gala at the Drake Hotel. Richard Sterling was the guest of honor, a public facade hiding his private monstrosity.
I walked into the grand ballroom, the crystal chandeliers casting a harsh light over the sea of tuxedos and designer gowns. The music stopped abruptly as people noticed me. I was supposed to be a recluse, brooding in my penthouse.
I spotted Sterling holding court near the champagne fountain. He was a silver-haired shark, his smile polished and predatory. When he saw me, his eyes gleamed with triumph.
I walked straight toward him. The crowd parted.
"Julian," Sterling purred loudly, playing to the audience. "What a surprise. I heard you were having a rough holiday."
"Can we speak privately, Richard?" I kept my voice low, injecting it with just enough desperation.
He smirked, excusing himself from his sycophants, and led me into a private VIP lounge, gesturing for his two bodyguards to wait by the door.
"You look terrible, Julian," Sterling chuckled, pouring himself a scotch. "Victor told me about his visit. I must say, hiding a child? How dramatic. But it makes things so much simpler."
I pulled a titanium flash drive from my pocket and placed it on the mahogany table.
"The neural-link source code," I said, my jaw clenched. "Unencrypted. Full transfer of ownership."
Sterling stared at the drive, his greed practically vibrating. "Just like that?"
"On one condition," I stepped closer, projecting utter defeat. "You never go near Clara or my daughter again. You take the code, you win. But if I ever see Victor or any of your men on my street again, I will burn us both down."
Sterling laughed, picking up the drive. "You always were dramatic, Julian. You have my word. As long as this code compiles, Clara and the bastard child are safe."
The insult flared in my chest, but I maintained my composure. "Upload it. Verify it. And then stay out of my life."
I turned and walked out of the lounge. My heart was pounding, but not out of fear. It was the thrill of the trap snapping shut.
As I walked out of the hotel into the freezing night, I pressed my earpiece. "Marcus. The package is delivered. How long until he plugs it in?"
May you like
"Knowing Sterling's greed?" Marcus replied. "He won't even wait until he gets to the office. He's going to plug it into his secure laptop in his limo."
"Good," I smiled into the dark. "Let me know when the virus activates."
