Chapter 8 — The Trap Closes
Raymond was already on the call when Ethan walked into the office.
He pointed at the screen. Ethan sat down and listened silently.
Three voices. A respected financial journalist, a senior analyst, and a regulatory contact Raymond had cultivated for years. The important parts had already been agreed.
The story would run Thursday morning.
Ethan looked at the forty-one-page document on the desk. Eight years of carefully compiled evidence. Forensic reports. Authenticated logs. Sworn statements from former employees Marcus had quietly pushed out.
Raymond ended the call.
"Thursday," he confirmed.
"What about the remaining supply contracts?"
"Hargrove is fully redirected. Denwell, the secondary supplier, received a competing offer this morning from one of our controlled firms. They've paused all TechVault orders pending due diligence." Raymond turned a page. "That removes sixty-four percent of Marcus's active supply chain in one week."
Ethan looked out the window.
He had spent ten years preparing for a week that would last only four days.
Thursday arrived.
The article dropped at six in the morning.
TechVault Systems: A Pattern of Financial Misconduct Spanning a Decade.
By nine o'clock, the share price was down eleven percent.
By noon, twenty-six percent.
At two in the afternoon, the regulator issued a formal notice of investigation.
At four o'clock, Marcus held a press conference. Ethan watched on a monitor. Marcus read a prepared statement, voice controlled but strained, calling the allegations unsubstantiated.
At 4:47 PM, another notification broke.
Claire Webb had filed for formal separation and was cooperating fully with the investigation.
Ethan's phone buzzed again.
"Board called an emergency session," Raymond said. "Tonight."
Ethan stood at the window watching the city move below.
His phone buzzed once more.
A message from one of the board members who had voted against him ten years ago.
We understand Mr. Cross may be able to assist with a leadership transition. We would welcome a conversation at your earliest convenience.
Ethan read it twice.
Then he replied:
Tomorrow. My building. Eight AM. Don't be late.
The trap had been set for ten years.
Tonight, it finally closed.