Chapter 4: The Gala of Truth
Sterling had underestimated the boy. He had also underestimated the power of the internet.
While Leo was in the SUV, he had managed to trigger a pre-scheduled upload on a secure server he’d spent weeks configuring. Every page of the ledger was now being broadcast to every major news outlet, every social media platform, and every federal regulatory agency in the country.
"You can take the book," Leo said, a slow, confident smile spreading across his face. "But it’s already everywhere."
Sterling’s phone began to ring. Then again. Then it became a cacophony of buzzing. He answered, his face turning from pale to a sickly, mottled purple.
"What did you do?" Sterling screamed, his composure finally snapping.
"I opened the vault," Leo said.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Federal agents, alerted by the sudden flood of evidence, were swarming the hangar. Sterling scrambled, trying to reach his plane, but the runway was already blocked by tactical teams.
Leo watched as Sterling was tackled to the ground, his expensive suit ripped and muddied. The man who had been a titan only hours ago was now just a pathetic, shouting shell of a man.
Leo walked over to the scene, the chaos of the arrest swirling around him. He saw the lead agent, a woman with a stern face.
"Mr. Vance?" she asked.
"Yes."
May you like
"We’ve been waiting for this evidence for two decades. We have enough here to put him away for the rest of his life."
Leo looked up at the sky. The rain had stopped, and for the first time, he saw the stars. He felt a weight lift from his chest—a weight he hadn't realized he’d been carrying for years. He wasn't the boy in the denim jacket anymore. He was the son of Arthur Vance, the architect of justice.
