Chapter 9 - Checkmate in the Boardroom
The guards flanking Richard instantly raised their sidearms, training them directly on Alexander and Marcus. The sleek conference room transformed into a tactical standoff in a matter of seconds.
Marcus didn't flinch, his hand resting near his concealed holster. ""You're out of your mind, Richard. Federal agents are already securing the lobby downstairs.""
Richard laughed, an unhinged, bitter sound that echoed off the glass walls. ""Federal agents? Marcus, your little task force is currently locked out of the building. I disabled the biometric overrides twenty minutes ago. This company belongs to me now."" He turned his cold gaze toward Clara, his lip curling in disgust. ""And as for you... you were supposed to quit after the first week. You stayed too long, little maid.""
Clara shrank back slightly, realizing that Richard was the true architect of the nightmares she had endured.
Alexander stood entirely unbothered, his hands resting casually in his trouser pockets. He didn't look at the guns pointed at his chest; he looked only at Richard. ""You always were ambitious, Richard. But you mistook my loyalty for blindness.""
Richard sneered, stepping closer. ""Hand over the digital master keys to the board vault, Alex, and maybe I'll let you and your little pet walk out of here alive.""
Alexander let out a slow, cold breath. ""Pet?""
In a fraction of a second that defied human reaction, Alexander pivoted, kicking the edge of the heavy mahogany table with brutal force. The table slammed into Richard’s guards, knocking their weapons off target as Marcus drew his firearm and neutralized both men with two precise shots to their shoulders.
At the same time, Alexander lunged across the table, grabbing Richard by the lapels of his designer suit and slamming him against the glass wall. The reinforced glass cracked beneath Richard's weight, spider-webbing outward as the city lights flickered far below.
Richard choked for air, his arrogant demeanor instantly shattering into pure panic as Alexander's fist hovered inches from his face.
""You think you can take my empire?"" Alexander whispered, his voice like grinding ice. ""You couldn't even run a grocery store.""
Before Alexander could finish him, the smart screen behind them suddenly flickered, overriding the corporate presentation with a live feed from the lobby downstairs.
On screen, a swarm of federal tactical officers—led by Captain Vance, their older brother—were actively breaching the security doors, arresting Richard’s remaining co-conspirators.
Richard stared at the screen, his face turning pale. ""No... that's impossible...""
Alexander threw Richard violently to the floor, where Marcus slapped heavy steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
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""It's over, Richard,"" Alexander said, turning his back on him as he walked over to Clara, who was trembling slightly from the adrenaline surge. He reached out, taking her cold hands in his. ""Are you alright?""
Clara nodded slowly, looking up into his eyes with a deep, unbreakable trust. ""I am now.""
