Chapter 9 - THE GHOST OF FILE M-17Richard spat blood onto the pristine marble floor, his face bruised, his breathing ragged as security guards dragged him to his feet.
Luka stood up slowly, adjusting his tuxedo jacket. His hazel eyes were cold, dark, and utterly devoid of mercy.
"You're ruined, Richard," Luka said, his voice cutting through the silent, terrified ballroom like a razor. "File M-17 wasn't just a patent. It was a digital dead-man’s switch. The moment you tried to sell my technology to foreign syndicates, every transaction was automatically recorded and transmitted to the federal prosecutor's grand jury."
"You... you ruined me..." Richard sobbed pathetically, his knees buckling beneath him as federal marshals rushed through the ballroom doors to take custody of him once and for all. "I was going to be king of this city..."
"You were nothing more than a thief playing a dangerous game," Luka replied coldly.
May you like
He turned away from Richard, walking back up the steps of the stage where Elena stood, her posture straight, her head held high.
Luka gently took her hand in his, raising it before the stunned, breathless crowd as thunderous applause began to rise from the guests who realized the nightmare was finally over.
