CHAPTER 15 — THE VOTE THAT COULD DESTROY AN EMPIRE
“MY GRANDFATHER GAVE ME CONTROL OF AN ORGANIZATION I DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED?”
Michael paced the living room.
Rachel shook her head.
“Not control. A dead-man provision.”
Thomas studied the file.
“Charles anticipated Orion would become corrupt.”
Emily pointed toward the encrypted document.
“Then why Michael?”
Rachel looked at him.
“Because Charles didn’t trust anyone who wanted the position.”
Michael laughed bitterly.
“So he chose someone who didn’t.”
Exactly.
That was the trap.
The Final Protocol could be activated only when a direct Hayes descendant voluntarily rejected both the Hayes network and Orion’s succession offer.
Michael had done both without knowing the test existed.
Lucas appeared on the stairs.
“Dad?”
Michael immediately closed the laptop.
Lucas frowned.
“You said no more secrets.”
The words hit harder than any threat.
Michael looked at Rachel.
Then opened the computer again.
“You’re right.”
Rachel started to object.
“Michael—”
“No. We don’t tell him operational details. But we don’t lie.”
Michael explained simply that dangerous people wanted him to make a decision and that the family might need to leave temporarily.
Lucas listened.
“Because of Sophie?”
“Partly.”
Lucas looked at his sister.
“Then I’m coming.”
“No.”
Lucas crossed his arms.
Michael almost smiled despite everything.
“You’re eight.”
“I know.”
“That is not an argument.”
“It worked for pancakes.”
For one brief second, Rachel laughed.
Then every light in the house died.
Thomas drew his weapon.
A projector suddenly activated against the far wall.
Charles Hayes appeared again.
This recording was different.
“If Orion has reached this message, the Council knows the Final Protocol is active.”
Charles leaned toward the camera.
“Michael, they will tell you Geneva is where the vote happens.”
Michael stared.
Charles continued.
“They are lying.”
Rachel whispered, “Oh God.”
“The vote happens wherever you are.”
Suddenly Michael’s phone illuminated.
Two options appeared.
PRESERVE ORION.
DISSOLVE ORION.
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And beneath them:
TIME REMAINING: 10:00.
