Chapter 22 — Uncovering the Truth
Chapter 22 — Uncovering the Truth
Even in victory, loose ends required tying. Marcus Vance uncovered the final piece of the corporate puzzle regarding the mole inside Robertson Corp’s IT department who had leaked proprietary documents to Julian Vance.
It was Kevin Sterling, a mid-level systems administrator whom Hailey had previously reprimanded for security negligence.
Confronted in the executive boardrooms with federal subpoenas and digital logs, Kevin broke down in tears within five minutes. "Julian promised me fifty thousand dollars! He said Robertson Corp was going down anyway!"
Hailey stood across the table from him, her arms crossed, her expression devoid of anger—only quiet disappointment.
"Fifty thousand dollars," Hailey said softly. "To betray the people who paid your salary, insured your family, and trusted you with their security. Greed really is a blind master, Kevin."
"Please, Ms. Robertson, don't press criminal charges!" Kevin pleaded, his voice cracking. "I have a family!"
"So did the thousands of mothers whose private data you compromised," Hailey replied coldly. "Marcus, escort him out. Let the federal prosecutor handle the rest."
As security led the sobbing man away, Hailey felt no triumph in his ruin—only a solemn reminder that maintaining an empire required eternal vigilance against internal rot.
Ethan walked up behind her, resting his chin gently on her shoulder. "You handled that with absolute steel."
"I’m just tired of snakes in the grass, Ethan," she sighed, leaning back against his chest.
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"Then let’s leave the corporate jungle behind for a weekend," Ethan whispered in her ear. "Just you, me, Toby, and the mountains."
Hailey smiled, the tension leaving her shoulders. "It’s a deal."
