Chapter 15 - The Ultimatum from GenevaWith Matteo in chains down in the holding cells, Marcus unlocked the intercepted data packet Matteo had been transmitting.
The screen in the war room lit up with a live, encrypted video call routing directly from a secure boardroom in Geneva, Switzerland.
Adrian pressed accept.
The screen flickered, revealing an older man wearing a bespoke gray suit, sitting in a dimly lit, high-altitude office overlooking the Alps. He wore a silver ring bearing the double-serpent crest.
"Mr. Moretti," the man spoke smoothly, with a refined European accent. "I see you've intercepted our local asset. Unfortunate, but ultimately irrelevant."
"State your name and your business," Adrian demanded, leaning over the desk.
"My name is Director Vance—no relation to your American acquaintances," the man smiled coldly. "The Veritas Syndicate owns the international logistics routes your family relies on. Hand over the Moretti estate deeds, your shipping ports, and the civilian woman and child currently residing in your east wing, and we might allow you to retire quietly in exile."
Adrian’s eyes narrowed into slits of pure fury. "You want Claire and Lily?"
May you like
"They carry proprietary knowledge belonging to our corporate network," Director Vance replied calmly. "You have twenty-four hours to comply. If you refuse, we won't send hit squads. We will systematically collapse the entire Chicago financial grid around you."
The screen went black.
