The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 140

Chapter 140: A national scandal

"Crystal clear, sir," Hawkins said, ending the call with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

The director of intelligence stood outside the president's office, arranging his thoughts himself for a good while. After a moment's hesitation, he knocked and entered at the president's call. President Edward Ricardo looked up from his desk, his expression expectant. "Reeves, I hope you have good news for me.

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Receives cleared his throat. "I'm afraid not, Mr. President. I've just received word from the

field team. Anya Shaw... We failed to capture her. She's gone received word from the

The president's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "What do you mean, 'gone'? How is that possible?"

"It appears the Shaw family moved her before our agents arrived, sir. We're still investigating how they knew about the operation."

The president slammed his fist on the desk, causing Reeves to flinch. "This is unacceptable! Do you have any idea what's at stake here, Reeves?"

"Sir, I assure you, we're doing everything in our power to locate her. But the Shaw organization is-"

"I don't want excuses!" Ricardo shouted, cutting him off. "I want results. New orders. I want every member of the Shaw family brought in. Every last one of them."

Reeves felt a chill run down his spine. "Mr. President, with all due respect, that's not possible. We don't have probable cause for most of them. It would be a clear violation of their constitutional rights."

Ricardo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Did I stutter, Director? This is a direct order from your Commander in Chief. Bring them in. All of them. I don't care how you do it."

"Sir, I must protest," Reeves said, his voice firm despite his growing unease. "This is illegal. We can't just round up an entire family without cause. If we do this, the Shaw family will have something on the agency. All of our previous findings and investigation could be ruled as a personal vendetta."

it!" the president roared, causing the director to take an involuntary step back. "I don't care about your precious protocols. This is bigger than you know. Now, are you

all this goes south, he would take the blame. And if he did not

his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes,

turned to leave. But unknown

latest story when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, not recognizing the number. "Winters," he answered, wedging the phone between his ear and shoulder as he

as

a

quickened.

the voice said, pausing for effect. "He's about to be impeached. Charges of heading

phone. "What? That's...

It's going down, Jack.

Jack sat back in his chair, his mind whirling. This couldn't be real. The President,

his colleague Mary called out from across the room. "Hey, Winters! Did you hear? Parliament's just called an emergency session. Something big's happening. Jack felt the

way to the office of Evelyn

her office, slightly out of breath. "I've got a tip. A

looked up from her computer, her eyes narrowing. "This better

Jack said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I've got a source saying he's about to be impeached. On charges of heading organized crime." Blackwood's eyebrows shot up.

Jack pressed on. "It fits. And my source has never been wrong

the story of the century. But if it's not..." She let the implications hang in

"but my gut says this is real. We need

the newsroom to go on standby. But we don't run a damn thing until we have

turned to leave, Blackwood called out, "And Winters? If this pans out, it's your story. Don't screw

hurried back to the newsroom,

couldn't shake the feeling that they

not just for the president but for them