Chapter 5 - THE PENTHOUSE SHADOWS
âThe Truth Doesnât Cost a CentâIt Costs Everything.âInstead of surrendering, Lena grabbed a nearby metal flare sitting on an emergency rack, struck it against the rusty container, and shoved it directly into the fuel tank of a nearby generator!
BOOM!
A brilliant wall of orange fire erupted between Marcus's men and the edge of the pier. Taking advantage of the chaos and blinding smoke, Lena grabbed Lily and leaped into the open hatch of a nearby tugboat idling at the dock!
"Hey! What are you doing?!" the boat captain yelled as Lena slammed the cabin door shut and threw the throttle forward. The boat surged into the dark river, leaving Marcusâs furious men firing wildly into the fog.
They survived the night, hiding out in a abandoned warehouse off the coast of New Jersey. But Lena knew running would never stop Marcus. He had infinite money, infinite power, and the entire city's police force in his pocket.
"We have to end this," Lena declared, looking at Claraâs flash drive. "We aren't running anymore. We're going to Vance Tower."
"Aunt Lena, he'll kill us!" Lily whimpered.
"Not if the whole world is watching," Lena said, a dangerous fire igniting in her eyes.
Midnight. The annual Vance Global Gala was in full swing at the penthouse of the 80-story Vance Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Hundreds of elites, politicians, and news reporters filled the crystal-decorated ballroom.
Dressed in a stolen waitress uniform, Lena slipped past security into the master control room on the top floor, carrying the flash drive. Lily was safely hidden inside the building's maintenance sub-level with strict instructions.
Lena slammed the drive into the master broadcasting console, bypassing the encryption using Clara's secret key.
"Tonight, everyone sees who you really are, Marcus," Lena whispered, punching the final override button to hijack every TV monitor and broadcast feed in the buildingâand across the city.
Suddenly, the control room door crashed open.
Marcus stepped inside, surrounded by four armed security officers. He wasn't panicked. In fact, he was smiling.
"Did you really think it would be that easy, Lena?" Marcus chuckled, clapping his hands slowly. "Did you really think Clara was smart enough to outwit me?"
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Lenaâs heart dropped. "What are you talking about?"
"That flash drive doesn't contain evidence of my crimes," Marcus whispered darkly, taking a step toward her. "It contains an automated virus designed to wipe out the city's power grid and central banking system. And by plugging it in... you just framed yourself as the greatest cyber-terrorist in American history."
