Chapter 448
Chapter 448:
My phone buzzed with an encrypted message from Felix. I tapped it open.
ATTACHMENT: SURVEILLANCE LOG – KENSINGTON OFFICE.
I watched the video clip on my small screen. It was grainy, shot from a long-range lens aimed through the glass walls of the Kensington building. In the footage, Liam was slumped in his wheelchair, his head lolling slightly to the side. Sienna was pacing behind him, scrolling through her phone and laughing, completely ignoring his catatonic state. Every few seconds, Liam’s hand would twitch on the armrest, a spasm that rocked his stillness.
“He looks… empty,” I murmured, showing the screen to Alistair. “Like the lights are on but nobody’s home p>
“He’s a puppet,” Alistair said dismissively. “And Beatrice is pulling the strings p>
Suddenly, my personal phone rang on the counter. It was a jarring, shrill sound.
I picked it up. It was the PR manager for Oracle’s Tech Division.
“Skye!” His voice was frantic, bordering on hysterical. “It’s Gabriel! Gabriel Ross p>
I dropped my coffee mug.
It hit the floor and shattered. Dark liquid splashed over my bare feet and the white marble, but I didn’t feel the heat.
“What?” I asked, gripping the phone.
“He was supposed to be at the S4 prototype launch event. Gabriel Ross. My brand ambassador. The young tech prodigy and influencer I had handpicked to be the face of the Oracle Series 4. He was the bridge between our hardware and the younger generation. He was innocent, sweet, and loyal p>
“He’s been arrested!” the manager cried. “Sexual assault charges. An extra on the set of the commercial shoot. She called the police. They dragged him out in handcuffs in front of TMZ. It’s all over the internet. They’re saying Oracle promotes predators p>
My blood ran cold.
“It’s a setup,” I said. My voice was flat. “The Kensingtons p>
“What do we do? The investors are already calling to cancel pre-orders p>
“I’m going to the precinct,” I announced, and hung up.
I turned to run to the bedroom to change. Alistair stepped in front of me. He grabbed my shoulders.
“I’ll handle it,” he said. “I’ll send the lawyers. You stay here p>
𝖣𝗈𝘸𝗻𝘭𝘰а𝘥 f𝗿eе 𝗈ո b𝘦.𝘤𝗈𝘮
“No,” I said, looking up at him. “He’s my employee. He’s my responsibility. If I hide, it looks like I believe he’s guilty. I need to show my face p>
Alistair looked at the shattered mug on the floor, then at the fire in my eyes. He nodded. He respected my territory.
“Take Felix,” he ordered. “And take Evelyn Vance. She’s already been briefed on the Kensington tactics. She eats prosecutors for breakfast p>
“Fine,” I said.
I didn’t need to see the news to know what was happening. Beatrice was playing dirty. She couldn’t attack my technology, so she was attacking my people.
“They want a war?” I whispered, stepping over the broken ceramic. “I’ll give them an apocalypse p>
Back in reality, I was dressed in ten minutes. A sharp navy suit. Killer heels.
When the car pulled up to the police precinct, it was a zoo. Paparazzi swarmed the steps, tipped off by someone.
“Stay close,” Felix grunted, pushing open the door.
I put on my sunglasses. I stepped out into the chaos.
Flashes blinded me. Microphones shoved into my face.
“Skye! Did you know he was a rapist p>
“Is Oracle Tech covering up crimes p>