CHAPTER 5 – The Billionaire Walked Into the Trap
Richard Halston had spent twenty-five years hunting a secret he believed was buried forever.
He had no idea...
It had just landed on his desk.
The next morning, Ethan received a phone call from an unknown number.
"I think it's time we meet," the voice said calmly.
"Richard Halston wants to make you an offer."
Against every warning, Ethan agreed.
An hour later, he walked into Halston Global's towering headquarters.
The billionaire waited alone in the executive boardroom, gazing over the city skyline.
Richard smiled as Ethan entered.
"You look just like your father."
Ethan's fists tightened.
"You knew him."
"I destroyed him," Richard corrected without a hint of guilt.
Silence filled the room.
Richard slowly slid a check across the polished table.
$50,000,000.
"Take the money."
"Give me the flash drive."
"And your son will live a very comfortable life."
Ethan didn't even glance at the check.
"You murdered my father's future."
"You stole his invention."
"You ruined our family."
Richard leaned back, completely unfazed.
"History is written by the winners."
Then he laughed.
"You know what the funniest part is?"
"I don't actually need the flash drive."
Ethan frowned.
Richard pressed a button beneath the table.
The massive screen behind him lit up.
Security footage appeared.
Noah.
Walking home from school.
Richard smiled coldly.
"My people are following your son right now."
"If I don't receive that drive before sunset..."
"...the boy disappears."
Ethan's blood ran cold.
But instead of panicking...
He smiled.
For the first time.
Richard's grin slowly faded.
"Why are you smiling?"
Ethan reached into his pocket and placed the tiny silver flash drive on the table.
"You mean this one?"
Richard's eyes widened.
He snatched it immediately.
"You finally made the smart decision."
Ethan stood up.
"No..."
"I made the decision my father planned twenty-five years ago."
Richard frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
At that exact moment...
Every television in the boardroom suddenly switched channels.
Every employee's computer screen turned black.
Every phone inside Halston Global began vibrating at the same time.
A single notification appeared across every screen:
"Uploading Evidence... 97% Complete."
Richard stared in horror.
"The flash drive..."
"It wasn't storage."
"It was the trigger."
Ethan smiled.
"My father never trusted anyone to carry the evidence."
"He only needed someone greedy enough..."
May you like
"...to plug it in."
Richard realized, too late, that he had just destroyed himself.
