Chapter 7 - THE AUDIT OF CORRUPTION"My daughter isn't the only one who keeps records, boy," Richard lied smoothly, keeping Ethan's attention locked squarely on him while his hand slipped inside his tactical vest to press a discreet emergency transmission button connected to a satellite uplink parked outside.
"When a man marries my daughter, I run a background check that makes the CIA look like amateurs," Richard bluffed with absolute conviction. "I know about your fake venture capital firms. I know how you funnel dark money from foreign intelligence assets to buy silence. And most importantly... I know you didn't build your tech empire. You stole it from your former partner, David Vance—and then you made sure he disappeared."
Ethan’s breathing hitched. His hand began to shake visibly, the muzzle of the 9mm wavering. "You're lying. Vance drowned in a boating accident five years ago! The police ruled it an accident!"
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"The local police bought your payoff," Richard replied, stepping closer, closing the distance with terrifying calm. "But an Army Colonel who spent thirty years hunting high-value targets across the globe knows a staged accident when he sees the autopsy files. You're not just a domestic abuser, Ethan. You're a corporate predator living on borrowed time."
"Shut up! Shut up!" Ethan shrieked, raising the pistol directly at Richard's chest. "I'll kill you! I swear to God I'll put a bullet through your heart and tell the cops you broke in to rob the place!"
