Chapter 14 - The Patriarch's Terms
Victor raised a hand to silence Clara. He showed no fear, no anger, only an iron calculation that had outmaneuvered four decades of politicians, cartel bosses, and corrupt boards.
""Miller,"" Victor said quietly, stepping forward until he was mere inches from the agent's face. ""Before you put cuffs on me, open your private line. Call Director Hastings.""
Agent Miller frowned, suspicious. ""The Director doesn't take field calls at three in the morning.""
""He will take this one,"" Victor said, his voice dropping into absolute certainty. ""Tell him the 'Sovereign Ledger of 1984' has just been decrypted. Tell him if Clara and my grandchildren are not in a private suite at St. Jude's Hospital within twenty minutes under military escort, the contents of that ledger will be broadcast to every media conglomerate on Earth.""
Miller's eyes dilated in genuine terror. The name of the ledger alone seemed to drain the color from the hardened federal agent's face. He quickly pulled a secure satellite phone from his tactical vest, stepped away into the shadows, and dialed with shaking fingers.
Three minutes passed in agonizing silence. When Miller returned, his weapon was holstered, and his arrogant posture was entirely broken. He turned to his tactical team.
""Stand down,"" Miller ordered hoarsely. ""Prepare a medical transport helicopter for Mrs. Vance and her children immediately.""
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Julian's face crumpled in pure despair. ""Miller! What are you doing?! Arrest him!""
Victor walked over to Julian, leaning down close to his ear. ""An empire isn't built on money, Julian. It's built on leverage.""
