CHAPTER 16 — THE DEAD MEN’S NETWORK
“HOW MANY DEAD PEOPLE ARE RUNNING THIS ORGANIZATION?”
Michael’s question silenced the room.
The attorney smiled.
“Enough.”
His name was Samuel Voss. Officially, Voss had died in a boating accident. In reality, Crown Zero had erased his identity and rebuilt him as one of its senior operators.
Richard looked sick.
“You infiltrated North Crown.”
Voss laughed.
“We created the conditions that made you build it.”
Richard finally understood.
Every threat that had pushed him deeper underground, every anonymous warning, every suspicious disappearance—Crown Zero had manipulated his fear for years.
Richard thought secrecy protected Michael.
Instead, secrecy made the family easier to control.
Voss revealed the purpose of FINAL EVALUATION.
Crown Zero selected heirs from powerful families, studying children for intelligence, emotional resilience, loyalty, and susceptibility to pressure.
Lily had passed every test.
Michael moved toward him.
“She’s eight.”
“To us, she’s the future.”
Michael hit him before anyone could react.
Reed pulled Michael back while agents restrained Voss.
Lily ran into Claire’s arms.
Richard stared at the files on the tablet.
Then something inside him broke.
“This happened because of me.”
Michael turned.
“No. Your lies helped them. Your fear helped them. But they chose to do this.”
Richard looked at Lily.
“What do we do now?”
Michael answered without hesitation.
“We stop hiding.”
Evelyn looked toward Voss.
“That won’t be enough.”
Everyone turned.
Voss smiled through the blood on his lip.
“She’s right.”
Michael stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because by sunrise, every Crown Zero archive will erase itself.”
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Reed checked his watch.
They had four hours.
