Chapter 27 - What Victor Chose
The trail ended inside the courthouse archive room.
Victor sat against a cabinet, pressing his hand to a wound along his side. Malcolm stood behind Rebecca near an open service elevator.
He held a small remote.
“If I release this button, the Registry identity servers shut down,” Malcolm said.
Thousands of victims would lose access to their legal lives.
Elise stepped into the room.
“You built a system you can’t destroy without destroying your power.”
“My power has already been frozen.”
“Then you have nothing left.”
“I have your mother.”
Rebecca looked at Elise.
“Do not give him the Orchard files.”
Malcolm demanded the original archive and control codes to the trust.
Victor attempted to stand.
His father pointed the remote toward him.
“You were supposed to continue my work.”
Victor looked at Elise.
For years, he had chosen secrecy because he feared losing her.
Now he made a different choice.
He lunged toward Malcolm.
Rebecca pulled away as the remote fell. Elise caught it before it struck the floor.
Ava and federal agents entered through the opposite door.
Malcolm was arrested.
Victor collapsed beside the cabinets.
As paramedics carried him away, he asked Elise to come closer.
“I testified because it was right,” he said. “Not because I expected you to forgive me.”
“I know.”
“My confession includes everything.”
“You may go to prison.”
“I know that too.”
Elise removed her wedding ring.
She placed it in his hand.
“This marriage began as an assignment,” she said. “Whatever happens next cannot begin with another lie.”
May you like
Victor closed his fingers around the ring.
For the first time, he did not ask her to stay.
