Chapter 3: The Empire Crumbles

The attacker finally forced himself to speak.

"This is a misunderstanding."

"I was drunk."

"I'll compensate her."

My father smiled.

It wasn't a kind smile.

"You believe this is about money?"

He nodded toward the giant screens.

Another video began playing.

This one wasn't about me.

Secret meetings.

Bribes.

Illegal land deals.

Money laundering.

Fraudulent charity donations used to avoid taxes.

Every powerful guest who had protected the attacker suddenly saw their own faces appear on the screens.

One by one...

The room erupted into panic.

"Turn it off!"

"You can't show this!"

"My reputation!"

Outside...

Police sirens echoed across the estate.

Blue lights illuminated the ballroom windows.

Within minutes, investigators, financial crime officers, and prosecutors entered the building carrying sealed warrants.

No one was allowed to leave.

One billionaire collapsed into a chair.

Another tried offering millions.

A politician quietly removed the pin from his suit.

It changed nothing.

Every conversation.

Every transfer.

Every document had already been secured.

The gala had never been the target.

It had been the perfect opportunity to gather every suspect in one place.

My father looked around the room.

"The exits were sealed..."

"...because justice was finally arriving."