Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT EVERYTHING BURNED
The final confrontation happened at Mercer Systems headquarters.
Marcus had scheduled a shareholder meeting.
He planned to announce that Cole was permanently removed and that a private consortium would take control.
Lily walked into the building beside Edward.
Cameras exploded.
Reporters shouted questions.
“Is Cole Mercer being investigated?”
“Are you carrying his children?”
“Is Edward Langley your new partner?”
Lily ignored them.
Inside the boardroom, Marcus stood waiting.
“You shouldn't have come.”
Lily smiled.
“You forged my name.”
Marcus looked toward Edward.
“You're making a mistake.”
Edward stepped forward.
“No.”
Marcus pressed a button.
Every screen in the room activated.
Orion appeared.
“You can't stop it.”
Lily walked toward the console.
“You're wrong.”
She inserted the patent key.
The system froze.
Marcus's face changed.
“You don't have the authority.”
“I don't need authority.”
Lily looked at him.
“I wrote it.”
The system began shutting down.
Marcus pulled a weapon.
Chaos erupted.
Security officers moved.
Cole entered from the rear entrance.
His father appeared behind him.
The older man looked at Lily.
“You've caused enough trouble.”
Lily stared.
“You destroyed your own son.”
He smiled.
“Cole was always weak.”
Cole stepped forward.
“No.”
His father turned.
“You were supposed to be loyal.”
Cole shook his head.
“I was supposed to be your son.”
Silence.
Then the police entered.
Marcus tried to escape.
Sloan blocked the exit.
The older man stared at her.
“You.”
Sloan smiled.
“Charlotte sends her regards.”
Everyone froze.
Edward turned.
“What did you say?”
Sloan's eyes filled with tears.
“She wasn't killed.”
Edward stopped breathing.
May you like
“She survived.”
The entire room went silent.
