CHAPTER 26: Sil tower comeback I
941 Words
The rain poured heavily across the city, lightning flashing against the towering glass structure of the Sil Tower headquarters.
Inside the highest office, silence dominated the atmosphere as Lionel stared at the documents spread before him.
Every piece was finally complete.
Darius stood beside the desk while Christian waited near the door, his hands slightly trembling from anticipation.
“Leonardo has received the files,” Darius reported calmly. “The police also confirmed they got the anonymous evidence package.”
Lionel leaned back against the leather chair, his expression unreadable.
“Good.”
Christian could barely hide his excitement.
For weeks the internet had dragged the Sil Tower through mud. News headlines called them monsters, criminals, and protectors of underground trafficking rings.
Investors fled overnight, reporters surrounded the company daily, and countless business partners cut ties immediately after the scandal exploded.
And all because of one escaped executive.
The same executive who had disappeared before investigations officially began.
Christian had honestly believed the company would need years to recover.
Yet Lionel had solved everything within days.
“What about the media?” Christian asked carefully. “Should we announce our innocence before the police release the report?”
Lionel’s gaze shifted toward the city lights beyond the glass windows.
“The Sil Tower does not beg for attention.”
That single sentence carried enough arrogance and authority to silence the room immediately.
Christian nodded quickly.
Of course.
The Sil Tower had dominated the business world for decades. Once the truth appeared, there would be no need for explanations.
The truth itself would crush everyone.
Meanwhile, on the west side of the city, hidden inside a rundown apartment building, the escaped executive paced nervously around the room.
Sweat dripped from his forehead despite the cold weather.
“They found the warehouse?” he asked shakily.
The man before him nodded.
“The police are moving already. Someone leaked everything.”
“No…” the executive muttered in horror.
His hands shook violently.
That was impossible.
Only Marcus Orlando knew the entire operation.
Marcus had promised him protection.
Marcus promised no evidence could ever trace back to them.
Then suddenly—
BANG!
The apartment door burst open.
“Police! Don’t move!”
The executive panicked immediately and reached for the gun hidden beneath the table, but several armed officers tackled him to the floor before he could react.
“You’re under arrest for human trafficking, illegal confinement of minors, murder conspiracy, and framing the Sil Tower Corporation!
“No! No! I can explain!” he screamed desperately.
But the officers dragged him away mercilessly.
Outside the building, cameras flashed wildly as reporters rushed toward the police vehicles.
Within minutes, the internet exploded.
Videos, photographs, bank transfers, hidden recordings, and confidential emails flooded social media platforms.
The evidence was overwhelming.
The escaped executive had been secretly operating an illegal underground pornographic network that trafficked underaged victims as s*x slaves. Worse still, he intentionally forged financial records to make it appear as though the Sil Tower funded the operation.
The public outrage intensified instantly.
However, the greatest shock came one hour later.
A leaked audio recording surfaced online.
“…Make sure the evidence points to the Sil Tower.”
Marcus Orlando’s unmistakable voice echoed through the recording.
“If they fall, their shares collapse. Once that happens, we take control.”
The internet erupted completely.
The Orlando family’s reputation crumbled overnight.
People who once praised Marcus as a brilliant soldier now cursed his name endlessly across every social media platform.
Inside the Orlando mansion, Marcus smashed a wine glass against the wall violently.
“That useless i***t got caught?!” he roared.
His secretary stood frozen in fear.
“The media already confirmed the evidence, sir. The police are preparing warrants—”
“SHUT UP!”
Marcus breathed heavily.
Everything was spiraling out of control far too quickly.
Then another piece of devastating news arrived.
“The executive…” the secretary whispered nervously. “He was found dead during transfer.”
Marcus froze.
“What?”
“The transport vehicle crashed. But… military investigators suspect foul play.”
For the first time in years, genuine unease appeared in Marcus’ eyes.
Because he knew exactly what that meant.
Leonardo was moving.
Across the city, inside a heavily secured military facility, Leonardo sat before several high-ranking officers with a cold expression.
Files covered the long conference table.
Photographs.
Surveillance footage.
Weapon records.
Communication logs.
Every single detail connected directly to Marcus Orlando.
One officer frowned deeply.
“You’re claiming the leak at the harbor had nothing to do with Sergeant Hale?”
Leonardo nodded.
“My team member was framed.”
He slid another file across the table.
“The real leak originated from an intermediary working under Marcus Orlando. Hale never contacted the gang. His records were altered afterward.”
The officers exchanged stunned glances.
Sergeant Hale had been removed from the military because of the failed port operation that resulted in multiple military casualties.
If Leonardo’s evidence was true—
Then an innocent man had nearly lost everything.
“This evidence is authentic?” another officer asked seriously.
Leonardo’s expression darkened.
“I verified it personally.”
Silence filled the room.
Then suddenly the conference room doors opened.
A tall military officer entered calmly.
General Victor Kane.
A very influential figure within the military.
Everyone immediately stood.
“At ease,” the general said smoothly.
His sharp gaze landed briefly on Leonardo before shifting toward the evidence files.
“So,” he said calmly, “this concerns Marcus Orlando?”
Leonardo narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something about the atmosphere suddenly felt wrong.
Very wrong.
- Writer
