Chapter 18 - The Fall of Carter Dynamics
By the time Michael reached the city, the story was everywhere.
CARTER DYNAMICS CEO REMOVED AMID FRAUD INVESTIGATION.
His photograph appeared on financial news networks.
Reporters surrounded company headquarters.
Daniel Reeves stood before cameras and expressed “deep disappointment.”
Michael watched from Thomas’s car.
Sophia nearly laughed.
“He’s accusing you of what he did.”
Michael looked at her.
“He prepared this years ago.”
Thomas nodded.
“Your authorization codes.”
“Forged signatures.”
“Shell companies.”
Michael understood the design.
Daniel had stolen money using Michael’s identity.
Then he had positioned himself as the whistleblower.
Sophia whispered.
“He’s going to walk away clean.”
Michael shook his head.
“No.”
He called Emily.
She answered.
“I saw the news.”
“I didn’t do it.”
“I know.”
Michael closed his eyes.
Those two words nearly broke him.
Emily continued.
“The real federal agents are still here.”
“Give them everything.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“The company could collapse.”
Michael looked toward the skyscraper bearing his family name.
“Then it collapses.”
Emily went quiet.
Michael continued.
“I won’t protect a company built on my father’s crimes.”
Emily whispered.
“Michael.”
“What?”
“Christopher came to the hospital.”
Michael sat upright.
“When?”
“Ten minutes ago.”
“Why?”
“He wants the memory card.”
Michael looked at Thomas.
“Don’t give it to him.”
“I didn’t.”
“Where is he?”
“Sitting outside Noah’s room.”
Michael frowned.
“Why?”
Emily’s voice softened.
“He said he wants to see his nephew.”
Michael did not know how to feel.
“I’m coming.”
At the hospital, Christopher sat alone outside the NICU.
Michael approached him.
“You lied.”
Christopher looked up.
“About?”
“Dad knew you survived.”
Christopher closed his eyes.
“So you found the recording.”
“You told me he believed you were dead.”
“I needed you to trust me.”
Michael laughed bitterly.
“You picked the wrong family strategy.”
Christopher stood.
“Marcus has been hunting me for twenty-seven years.”
“He found you.”
“Not completely.”
“What does that mean?”
“He doesn’t know where I’ve kept Daniel’s original evidence.”
Michael stared at him.
“Your friend Daniel?”
“Yes.”
Christopher continued.
“Before he died, he gave me copies of Victor’s ledgers.”
“Where are they?”
Christopher shook his head.
“I won’t tell you.”
Michael stepped closer.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Making a trade.”
“For the memory card?”
“Yes.”
Michael laughed.
“No.”
Christopher’s eyes hardened.
“That card proves Victor ordered the attack.”
“And your evidence proves everything else.”
“Yes.”
“Then give it to federal investigators.”
“I don’t trust them.”
“You don’t trust anyone.”
“That kept me alive.”
Michael stared at him.
“It also kept you alone.”
Christopher flinched.
Michael continued.
“You hid for twenty-seven years while Mom mourned you.”
“She knew.”
“While I mourned you.”
Christopher looked away.
Michael’s voice rose.
“You decided my pain was acceptable because your plan mattered more.”
Christopher whispered.
“You don’t understand.”
Michael stepped closer.
“My wife is lying in a hospital because everyone in this family keeps deciding other people should suffer for secrets they never agreed to carry.”
Christopher said nothing.
Michael continued.
“No more trades.”
“Then Marcus wins.”
“No.”
Michael looked toward the NICU.
“We tell the truth.”
“All of it.”
Christopher stared at him.
Michael held out his hand.
“The ledger.”
Christopher did not move.
Then Emily appeared in a wheelchair at the end of the corridor.
A nurse stood behind her.
Christopher looked at her.
Emily said.
“My father protected you.”
Christopher’s expression softened.
Emily continued.
“He funded Michael because he believed ending the secrecy mattered.”
Christopher looked away.
Emily’s voice remained calm.
“If you hide the evidence now, you become another version of Victor.”
Christopher stared at her.
Then he reached into his jacket.
He removed a small key.
“Union Station.”
Michael frowned.
“Locker 318.”
Christopher handed him the key.
“The original ledger is inside.”
Michael took it.
At that exact moment, every light in the corridor went dark.
Emergency alarms began screaming.
May you like
Thomas reached for his weapon.
Then a gunshot echoed from the stairwell.
