Chapter 4 - The Senator's Secret
The glowing red numbers of the countdown clock reflected in Julian's calm eyes.
"What is that timer for?" a terrified tech billionaire asked from the crowd.
Julian frowned, staring up at the holographic display.
"That is not one of my systems," Julian admitted quietly.
The crowd began to panic again, realizing the omnipotent owner had just lost control.
Senator Hayes shoved his way toward Julian, his fists clenched in fury.
"You locked us in a cage with a bomb, you absolute maniac!" Hayes roared.
Julian stared directly into the senator's sweating, desperate face.
"Why is your left cufflink missing, Senator?" Julian asked sharply.
Hayes froze, instinctively covering his left wrist with his right hand.
Julian stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"You went up to the penthouse to discuss a private corporate tax bill with the Vice President."
"I saw you on the security cameras three minutes before the feed was cut."
The other guests backed away from the senator as if he were carrying a plague.
Hayes shook his head frantically, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"I did not kill him!" Hayes pleaded, looking around at his wealthy peers.
"I just found him dead on the floor, and I panicked!"
Julian narrowed his eyes, analyzing the man's terrified body language.
"If you did not kill him, then what did you take from his desk?" Julian demanded.
Hayes swallowed hard and reached into his tailored suit jacket.
He slowly pulled out a small, heavy titanium cylinder.
"It is the nuclear launch override key," Hayes confessed, trembling violently.
Julian realized the summit was not just a corporate gathering anymore.
It was a coordinated coup to strip the nation of its ultimate defense system.
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Before Julian could take the cylinder, the lobby lights completely died.
A gunshot echoed through the pitch-black room, followed by the sound of a heavy body hitting the floor.
