"We are not threatening your empire, Rafael," the synthesized voice whispered softly before the line began to crackle with heavy interference. "We are inviting you to your own execution at midnight."
The line cut out with a harsh metallic click, leaving only empty static humming through the small brass speaker box.
Rafael stood motionless in the high-security vault of the City Bank, his fingers lingering on the cold brass terminal toggle.
Across the thick reinforced observation glass, CEO Sterling was still cowering on his knees, surrounded by his unconscious private security guards.
"You heard him, didn't you?" Sterling whimpered, wiping sweat from his forehead as he looked up at the vault window. "You are already a dead man walking, Vance!"
"Every man in this city is walking t
