Chapter 16 - Cold Betrayal
In the pitch-black darkness of the central tower, Marcus and Eleanor navigated by the dim light of a emergency flare.
They reached the heavy vault doors of the executive boardroom on the 80th floor.
The backup generators hummed quietly in the walls, providing just enough power for the mechanical locks.
Marcus raised his weapon, kicking the heavy double doors open and sweeping the room.
Arthur Pendelton sat behind the massive glass desk, a mechanical emergency tablet glowing in his lap.
Two heavily armed bodyguards stood on either side of him, their weapons raised toward the doorway.
"You're too late, Marcus," Arthur said, a cold smile spreading across his face.
"The backup generator carries a direct satellite link that doesn't rely on the city grid," Arthur added.
"Drop your weapon, or I order the remote team to execute your wife right now," Arthur threatened.
Marcus froze, his gun hand trembling as he weighed the desperate options available to him.
Eleanor stepped forward into the dim light of the flare, holding out the encrypted flash drive.
"Take the drive, Arthur," Eleanor said calmly, stepping away from Marcus's side.
"Just spare my daughter and let me keep my position on the board," she bargained with an icy tone.
Marcus turned to her in utter disbelief and shock.
"Eleanor, what are you doing?" Marcus gasped, feeling the ultimate sting of betrayal.
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"I am doing what I have always done, Marcus," Eleanor said, handing the drive directly to Arthur.
"I am choosing the winning side," she added without a single trace of hesitation.
