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The air in the master bedroom of the Boston estate didn't just turn cold; it solidified. Ethan’s hands, still dusted with porcelain powder from the shattered mug, began to shake. / Chapter 6 / 8

Chapter 6 - THE TRAITOR’S FALLOUT

The news studio of Boston’s Channel 4 News was in chaotic turmoil.

At 2:00 AM, a breaking news bulletin interrupted the late-night broadcast. But it wasn't the story General Vance had paid to spin.

Instead, every major news network in the country—CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and local affiliates—simultaneously received an encrypted 12-gigabyte leak.

It contained high-definition audio recordings, bank ledger scans, and bodycam footage from the arrest of Major Ethan Brooks.

Within minutes, the headline across millions of television screens read:

BREAKING NEWS: TOP ARMY GENERAL AND DECORATED MAJOR ACCUSED OF HIGH TREASON, MURDER, AND DOMESTIC EMBEZZLEMENT.

Inside the military holding facility at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Major Ethan Brooks sat in a concrete cell, wearing an orange jumpsuit. He was smirking, convinced that General Vance’s legal team would have him released before sunrise.

The heavy steel cell door slid open.

Ethan stood up, adjusting his posture. "It's about time, General. Tell me the media narrative is handled. Did you silence Olivia?"

General Vance didn't enter.

Instead, two Federal Marshals stepped into the cell, followed by a high-ranking Military Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer.

"Major Ethan Brooks," the JAG officer read from a tablet. "By order of the President of the United States and the United States District Court, you are being charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with Attempted Murder, Treason, Conspiracy to Commit Biological Espionage, and Grand Larceny."

Ethan’s smirk vanished. "What? No! General Vance is handling this! He’s my commanding officer!"

"General Vance was taken into federal custody fifteen minutes ago at Logan International Airport while attempting to board a private jet to Dubai," the JAG officer said coldly. "He gave you up in exchange for a plea deal five minutes after his arrest."

Ethan’s knees went completely weak. He fell back onto the cold metal cot. "He... he blamed me?"

"He provided full documentation that you were the mastermind behind the assault and financial forgery against your wife," the officer continued. "He claims he was merely an unwitting participant."

"LIE!" Ethan shrieked, slamming his fists against the wall. "HE PLANNED IT ALL! HE TOLD ME TO DRUG HER! HE TOLD ME TO MAKE HER HAVE AN ACCIDENT!"

Standing right outside the cell door, holding an iPad that was recording every second of his breakdown, was Margaret Carter.

"Thank you, Ethan," Margaret said through the iron bars, lowering the screen. "That confession was live-streamed directly to the Federal Grand Jury."

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Ethan threw himself against the bars, his face twisted in unhinged rage. "YOU DESTROYED MY LIFE, YOU OLD HAG!"

Margaret didn't flinch. She leaned close to the bars and whispered, "No, Ethan. You destroyed your own life the second you laid a finger on my daughter."

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