Chapter 7 - Turning the Tables
Silas turned his attention to the crowd. He looked at the faces of the most powerful people on earth, and they shrank under his gaze.
"You call yourselves the elite," Silas said, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "You gather in secret, drink expensive wine, and draft plans to strip-mine the world. You consider yourselves untouchable because you have hoarded enough capital to buy politicians and rewrite laws."
He pointed to the digital screen behind him, still displaying Marcus’s predatory 'Project Apex' map.
"Marcus Sterling just pitched you a monopoly," Silas continued. "He told you he would make you rich. What he didn't tell you is that his entire real estate empire is leveraged on toxic debt. Debt that is held by my holding companies."
Marcus let out a strangled gasp, stepping forward. "Silas, wait, we can discuss this in private—"
"We are discussing it now," Silas snapped, not looking at him. He pulled a sleek, encrypted smartphone from his brown coat. He tapped the screen twice.
"As of thirty seconds ago, Vance Omni-Corp has initiated a margin call on all of Sterling Global's outstanding loans," Silas announced. "Your collateral is insufficient. Your stock is currently in freefall in the Asian markets. By the time the bell rings in New York tomorrow morning, Sterling Global will be bankrupt."
The room erupted into panicked murmurs. The sharks were smelling blood in the water, and the blood belonged to their host.
"You can't do this!" Marcus screamed, losing whatever remained of his polished composure. "I'll sue you! I'll destroy you!"
"With what lawyers?" Silas asked calmly. "I just bought your firm's parent company this morning. They dropped you as a client ten minutes ago."
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Marcus collapsed to his knees on the stage, the reality of his total ruin crashing down upon him. The king of the Conclave had been dethroned, stripped of his wealth and power in less than three minutes by a man wearing scuffed boots.
Silas looked down at him, feeling no pity. "Security. Escort Mr. Sterling off my property. He is trespassing."
