Chapter 81 - Whispers of the Past
The autumn wind swept through the courtyard of the Sterling estate, rustling the golden leaves that paved the stone pathways. Elena stood by the grand arched window, her fingers tracing the cold glass as she gazed out into the twilight. Months had passed since the tribunal, months of rebuilding a shattered empire and healing wounds that ran far deeper than skin. Yet, a lingering shadow remained—a whisper from a past she thought she had buried forever.
Her phone buzzed violently against the mahogany desk, breaking the silence. An unknown number. Hesitating only a second, Elena slid her thumb across the screen.
"Elena Vance," a distorted voice crackled through the speaker, devoid of warmth. "Did you really think the board surrendered so easily? Check your private offshore accounts."
Elena's breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she tapped open her banking application. The screen refreshed, loading her portfolio. Her eyes widened in absolute horror. Every single dollar, every asset tied to the restructuring fund, had vanished into thin air, leaving a balance of absolute zero.
Before she could process the betrayal, the heavy oak door of her study burst open. Marcus strode in, his face pale, breathing heavily as if he had run miles to reach her.
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"Elena," Marcus said, his voice trembling slightly. "We've been locked out of the main server. Someone initiated a total override. We are completely compromised."
The game wasn't over. In fact, the final, most dangerous round had just begun.
