Chapter 2: The Web of Deceit
The ballroom turned into a tactical holding cell. The guests were panicked, whispers flying like wildfire. Elena wasn’t just a General; she was the head of Cyber-Intelligence, a ghost story in the military world. She began pacing the floor, her eyes scanning faces. She knew the documents were here—a micro-drive hidden in plain sight.
Richard tried to regain his composure. "This is an overreach, General! You can't detain civilian guests without cause."
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Elena walked toward him, the clicking of her heels echoing like a countdown. "Civilian guests? Richard, you sold a prototype engine design to a foreign proxy. I’ve been tracking the digital breadcrumbs for six months. The 'accident' with the wine? That wasn't just to humiliate me. You were trying to see if I was carrying a recording device. You were nervous."
Richard paled. The arrogance was melting away, replaced by the jagged edge of fear. He glanced toward a side exit, but an MP stood there, hand resting on his sidearm. He was trapped in his own gilded cage.
