THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
1351 Words
Chapter 36 – The Empire Strikes Back
The morning after Ethan's press conference, Carter Group Headquarters was busier than ever.
Instead of panic...
The building was filled with confidence.
Employees smiled as they walked through the lobby, while financial news played on large television screens.
"Carter Group Shares Rise After CEO's Strong Statement."
"Investor Confidence in Carter Group Reaches New High."
"Public Supports Ethan Carter's Defense of His Wife."
Daniel looked at the headlines and smiled.
"I don't think Victor expected this."
Ethan calmly sipped his coffee.
"He expected fear."
"He forgot that trust is stronger than rumors."
---
Across the city...
Victor Hayes stood in his office, staring at the same news reports.
His expression was unreadable.
His assistant entered cautiously.
"Sir..."
"The stock market has opened."
Victor didn't turn around.
"And?"
"Carter Group shares are up another six percent."
Silence.
"Our investors..."
"...are beginning to ask questions."
Victor slowly closed his eyes.
"So..."
"My plan strengthened Carter Group."
The assistant lowered his head.
"Yes, sir."
Victor slammed his fist onto the desk.
The loud crack echoed throughout the office.
"Impossible!"
"I handed them the perfect scandal!"
His breathing became heavier.
"Why does everything I do make Ethan stronger?"
No one answered.
---
At Carter Group...
Richard Collins hurried into the executive boardroom carrying several reports.
"The international investors have responded."
Ethan looked up.
"How bad?"
Richard smiled.
"Not bad."
"They've increased their investments."
The executives exchanged surprised looks.
Richard continued.
"They said your public statement demonstrated stability, integrity, and strong leadership."
One executive laughed.
"So Victor accidentally advertised Carter Group."
The boardroom erupted into quiet laughter.
Even Ethan smiled.
"Let's not celebrate yet."
"Someone willing to go this far won't stop after one failure."
Daniel nodded.
"Agreed."
"We should expect another move."
---
Meanwhile...
At Carter Manor...
Olivia was preparing lesson plans for the Carter Foundation when her phone rang.
The caller ID displayed Adrian Brooks.
She answered.
"Good morning, Mr. Brooks."
His voice sounded tense.
"Mrs. Carter..."
"I need to see you."
She frowned.
"Is everything alright?"
"No."
"There are things you and Mr. Carter deserve to know."
Olivia sat upright.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't explain over the phone."
"There are too many risks."
She hesitated.
"Does this have something to do with Victor?"
A long silence followed.
Finally...
"Yes."
"But please..."
"Don't come alone."
The call ended.
Olivia stared at the phone, her heart racing.
---
An hour later...
Ethan returned home briefly between meetings.
He immediately noticed Olivia's worried expression.
"What happened?"
She told him everything Adrian had said.
Ethan became thoughtful.
"He wants to meet us?"
She nodded.
"He sounded frightened."
Daniel, who had just entered the room, spoke immediately.
"It could be a trap."
Ethan agreed.
"It could."
Olivia looked between them.
"But what if he's trying to help?"
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Ethan nodded.
"We'll meet him."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Sir?"
"But we'll do it on our terms."
---
That afternoon...
Victor Hayes received another report.
His assistant looked nervous.
"Sir..."
"Adrian Brooks has contacted the Carters."
Victor's expression froze.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
"He requested a private meeting."
Victor slowly stood.
For the first time in years...
There was genuine concern in his eyes.
"If Adrian talks..."
"...everything changes."
He walked toward the window.
His voice became ice cold.
"Find him."
"Before Ethan does."
Rain began falling outside once again, as though the city itself sensed another storm approaching.
Somewhere...
Adrian Brooks clutched a small black flash drive inside his jacket.
It contained years of hidden emails...
Financial records...
And confidential files from Hayes International.
Evidence powerful enough to destroy Victor Hayes forever.
The only question was...
Would Adrian reach Ethan before Victor reached him
The rain fell steadily as Ethan's black Rolls Royce pulled into the underground parking garage of an unfinished office building on the edge of the city.
Daniel scanned the area carefully.
"Three exits."
"Minimal security."
"I don't like this."
Neither did Ethan.
But if Adrian truly intended to expose Victor...
This meeting could change everything.
Olivia looked at Ethan.
"Are you sure about this?"
He gently held her hand.
"We'll be together."
"Nothing will happen to you."
She nodded, trusting him completely.
---
Inside the deserted building...
Adrian Brooks paced nervously.
He checked his watch for what felt like the tenth time.
His hand rested inside his jacket, where the black flash drive remained hidden.
Every few seconds, he glanced toward the entrance.
Then...
He heard footsteps.
Ethan, Olivia, and Daniel appeared.
Adrian released a relieved breath.
"You came."
Ethan studied him carefully.
"You said you had something important."
Adrian nodded.
"I do."
He looked toward Olivia.
"I'm sorry."
"For everything."
She frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"The photographs."
"The rumors."
"I never wanted any of this."
"I thought Victor only wanted to pressure Carter Group."
"I didn't know he'd use you."
Olivia remained silent.
She could see the guilt written all over his face.
---
Adrian slowly removed the flash drive from his pocket.
"This contains everything."
Ethan accepted it cautiously.
"What is it?"
"Financial records."
"Private emails."
"Payments made through shell companies."
"And proof that Victor ordered the fake photographs."
Daniel's eyes widened.
"This could destroy Hayes International."
Adrian nodded.
"That's why you have to keep it safe."
Ethan looked directly at him.
"Why help us now?"
Adrian lowered his head.
"Because Charles Bennett believed businesses should help people."
"I joined Victor because I admired his success."
"But..."
"I've become part of something I no longer recognize."
He looked at Olivia.
"You reminded me what integrity looks like."
"I couldn't keep helping him."
---
Suddenly...
Daniel's phone vibrated.
He answered immediately.
His face changed.
"Sir."
"Our security team just intercepted a message."
"What message?"
"They've tracked several vehicles heading toward this building."
Ethan's expression hardened.
"Victor."
Daniel nodded.
"They'll be here in less than five minutes."
---
Adrian's face turned pale.
"I told you."
"He'd come."
Ethan slipped the flash drive into his inside pocket.
"We're leaving."
Daniel immediately led Olivia toward a side exit.
"This way."
The group hurried through the empty building.
Behind them...
The sound of tires screeching echoed outside.
Several black SUVs surrounded the main entrance.
Men in dark suits stepped out.
Their leader looked at the building.
"Find Adrian Brooks."
"And recover the flash drive."
---
Inside...
Daniel stopped suddenly.
"They're blocking the front."
"We'll use the emergency stairwell."
The group quickly descended several flights of stairs.
Olivia held tightly onto Ethan's hand.
"Are they following us?"
Before he could answer...
Voices echoed from above.
"They're on the stairs!"
Daniel looked around quickly.
"This way!"
He pushed open a maintenance door leading into a narrow service corridor.
The passage led toward the rear parking lot.
One by one, they hurried through.
Finally...
They emerged outside.
Their car was waiting.
Daniel opened the doors.
"Get in!"
As Ethan helped Olivia into the back seat, Adrian stopped.
"I can't go with you."
Ethan turned.
"What?"
"If I disappear with you..."
"Victor will know I betrayed him."
"He'll destroy everyone I care about."
Ethan stepped closer.
"You'll be safer with us."
Adrian shook his head.
"I need to disappear."
"For now."
He looked at Olivia one last time.
"I'm truly sorry."
Then, before anyone could stop him...
He ran into the pouring rain, disappearing between the nearby buildings.
Daniel started the engine.
"We have to move!"
The Rolls-Royce sped away just as Victor's men reached the parking lot.
They searched frantically.
But it was too late.
The flash drive was gone.
---
Twenty minutes later...
Victor Hayes received the call.
"They escaped, sir."
Victor closed his eyes.
"And Adrian?"
"We lost him."
A long silence filled the room.
Then...
Victor calmly placed the phone on his desk.
His assistant watched nervously.
"Sir?"
Victor's voice was frighteningly calm.
"For the first time..."
"...Ethan has something that can hurt me."
He slowly looked out at the city skyline.
"But the game isn't over."
"If Ethan wants the truth..."
"I'll make sure he learns all of it."
His eyes darkened.
"Even the parts that will make Olivia question the man she married
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