Chapter 8 - The Ransom in Fire
The entire gala erupted into absolute chaos as the violent video feed played on the massive screens.
Wealthy donors screamed and scrambled toward the exits, completely horrified by the display.
Principal Davis tried frantically to unplug the projector, but the system was completely locked down.
In the AV booth, Caleb stared at the monitor in pure, unadulterated shock.
Chloe had been intercepted; the USB drive she gave him was a malicious decoy planted by Harrison.
"Bring the original physical ledger to the boiler room in three minutes, or your brother burns," Harrison announced over the speakers.
Caleb abandoned the booth, sprinting down the crowded stairwells toward the basement levels.
He clutched the heavy, leather-bound ledger tightly against his chest, praying he was not too late.
He kicked open the heavy metal doors of the boiler room, gasping for breath.
The room was sweltering, illuminated only by the roaring flames of the massive industrial incinerator.
Harrison stood near the furnace, holding a heavy steel wrench and smiling wickedly.
Marcus was slumped in the chair, barely conscious, while Caleb's terrified parents were tied up in the corner.
"Throw the book on the floor and kick it over here," Harrison commanded, raising the wrench over Marcus's head.
Caleb had no choice; he dropped the physical ledger and slid it across the dirty concrete floor.
Harrison picked up the book, laughing triumphantly as he flipped through the handwritten pages.
"You really thought you could outsmart the people who run this town?" Harrison mocked.
He didn't even bother looking at Caleb as he tossed the priceless ledger directly into the roaring incinerator.
The flames consumed the leather and paper instantly, destroying the only physical proof of their crimes.
"Now you have absolutely nothing left, and you are all going to suffer a tragic accident," Harrison sneered.
Caleb did not cry, and he did not drop to his knees in defeat.
Instead, a slow, confident smile spread across Caleb's bruised face.
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"You are right, Mr. Harrison, I have nothing left in my hands," Caleb replied calmly.
"But you might want to check the live broadcast on your phone."
