CHAPTER 27: Escape Unscathed
1283 Words
The atmosphere inside the military conference room turned heavy after Leonardo finished presenting the evidence.
Files covered the long table.
Photographs.
Transaction histories.
Secret communications.
Surveillance reports.
Every single thing pointed toward one ugly truth.
Someone inside the military had worked with the escaped executive to frame the Sil Tower and leak information regarding the harbor operation.
Yet despite everything Leonardo uncovered, there was one frustrating problem.
Nothing directly connected Marcus Orlando.
The room remained silent for several moments before one officer finally spoke.
“So the mastermind behind this was Colonel Adrian Ross?”
Leonardo’s expression darkened slightly.
Before he could answer, Blaze stepped forward calmly.
“All official evidence points toward him.”
Officially.
That single word carried a deeper meaning only Leonardo understood.
Because both of them already knew the truth.
Marcus Orlando was the real mastermind.
Colonel Ross was merely the man who carried out his orders.
Unfortunately, Marcus had been too careful.
Every communication passed through multiple channels. Every payment moved through fake companies and dead accounts. Even the escaped executive only had indirect contact with Marcus through Ross.
There was not a single piece of undeniable proof tying Marcus directly to the crimes.
And Marcus knew it.
That was why he moved first.
Earlier that morning, Colonel Ross himself had surrendered to the military unexpectedly.
Not only that—
He brought evidence.
A terrifying amount of evidence.
Private recordings.
Financial transactions.
Military access codes.
Hidden offshore accounts.
Everything pointed directly at himself.
It was almost as though Ross intentionally built a case against his own existence.
One officer frowned deeply while reviewing the files.
“This is enough to convict him for treason.”
Another officer nodded grimly.
“He practically confessed already.”
Leonardo clenched his jaw silently.
No.
Ross did not confess willingly.
He was forced into it.
The conference room doors suddenly opened and General Kane walked in with a solemn expression.
“The media has already been informed,” he announced calmly.
“The public statement identifies Colonel Ross as the individual responsible for aiding the trafficking operation, leaking military information, and framing the Sil Tower.”
Several officers sighed in relief immediately.
At least the case finally had a culprit.
But Leonardo remained silent.
Blaze glanced toward him briefly before speaking carefully.
“What about Marcus Orlando?”
The room quieted instantly.
General Kane looked toward Blaze calmly.
“Marcus Orlando has provided evidence proving he had no direct involvement.”
Leonardo almost laughed coldly.
Of course he did.
Marcus never entered a battlefield without preparing ten escape routes beforehand.
General Kane placed another file on the table.
“According to these records, Colonel Ross acted independently while using Orlando family connections for personal gain.”
One officer nodded slowly.
“That explains the financial trails.”
Another officer added,
“And the communications all trace back to Ross himself.”
Everything fit perfectly.
Too perfectly.
Leonardo stared at the file coldly.
Because he recognized immediately what kind of evidence this was.
Manufactured truth.
Marcus had sacrificed Ross completely.
Not just abandoned him.
Sacrificed him.
The man probably prepared this scenario long ago in case anything ever went wrong.
General Kane looked toward Leonardo directly.
“Do you object to the official conclusion?”
The room became tense immediately.
Blaze silently watched his commander carefully.
Leonardo knew exactly what Kane was truly asking.
Will you expose the truth without proof?
Because if he did, nobody would believe him.
Not with all the evidence stacked against Ross already.
Marcus had played the situation beautifully.
Even if Leonardo publicly accused him now, people would only think he was trying to force blame onto an innocent businessman after the case was already solved.
Leonardo slowly leaned back into his chair.
“No objections,” he answered coldly.
Blaze lowered his eyes quietly.
Only the two of them understood the frustration hidden beneath those words.
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
Officers left discussing Ross’ betrayal angrily while military personnel rushed to prepare the official announcement.
Soon, the entire country exploded with the news.
Colonel Adrian Ross was exposed as the corrupt officer responsible for the harbor leak and cooperation with the trafficking organization.
The public was horrified.
News stations repeatedly displayed his photograph across every screen while reporters condemned his greed and abuse of authority.
At the same time, Marcus Orlando appeared before cameras publicly.
Dressed in a black suit with a tired expression, he looked more like a victim than a suspect.
“I am deeply saddened,” Marcus said calmly during the press conference.
“To think someone I trusted abused my connection in the military for such evil acts…”
His performance was flawless.
Even the reporters seemed sympathetic.
Marcus then presented documents showing Ross requesting financial assistance repeatedly under the guise of confidential military operations.
There were also signed authorizations apparently proving Ross acted without Marcus’ knowledge.
The internet shifted immediately.
People who once suspected Marcus began directing all their anger toward Colonel Ross instead.
And just like that—
Marcus Orlando walked free.
Inside a quiet underground parking garage far from the media chaos, Ross stood trembling before Marcus.
His face was pale.
“You promised…” Ross muttered weakly. “You promised my family would be safe.”
Marcus adjusted his gloves calmly.
“And they are.”
Ross looked up desperately.
“Then why am I taking all the blame?!”
Marcus smiled faintly.
“Because you were always meant to.”
Ross froze.
Fear slowly entered his eyes.
Marcus stepped closer.
“You should feel honored,” he said softly.
“You protected something far greater than yourself.”
Ross’ breathing became uneven.
“You monster…”
Marcus chuckled quietly.
“No. I’m simply smarter.”
Then his expression suddenly turned cold.
“Remember this carefully, Adrian. If you speak my name even once, your wife and daughter disappear before sunrise.”
Ross’ body shook violently.
Marcus leaned closer.
“You know I can do it.”
Terror completely consumed Ross’ face.
Because he did know.
Marcus Orlando was capable of anything.
After Marcus finally left, Ross collapsed against the wall helplessly.
At that moment, he fully realized something horrifying.
From the beginning…
He was never a partner.
He was merely insurance.
Meanwhile, inside Lionel’s office at the Sil Tower, silence filled the room as Leonardo finished explaining everything.
Christian looked furious.
“So that bastard escaped again?”
“He escaped legally,” Blaze corrected calmly.
Lionel sat quietly behind his desk, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
His expression remained unreadable.
Christian could not understand how Lionel remained so calm after hearing Marcus escaped punishment completely.
“That’s unfair,” Christian muttered angrily.
Leonardo’s eyes darkened slightly.
“The law only punishes what can be proven.”
Blaze crossed his arms.
“And Marcus made sure nothing could be proven.”
The room fell silent briefly.
Then Lionel suddenly spoke.
“Good.”
Everyone looked at him immediately.
Christian blinked in confusion.
“Good?”
Lionel slowly raised his eyes.
“If Marcus had fallen that easily…” he said calmly, “he would not be worth destroying.”
A dangerous chill spread through the office instantly.
Leonardo stared at Lionel quietly.
Because he understood exactly what Lionel meant.
The game was no longer about courts.
Or the military.
Or public opinion.
It had become personal.
Lionel leaned back slightly, his gaze cold enough to freeze blood.
“The world may believe Marcus Orlando is innocent,” he said softly.
“But the three of us know the truth.”
Silence.
Then a faint smile appeared on Lionel’s face.
“And that is enough.”
- Writer
