The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 144

Chapter 144: Blame

Marcus said nothing, sensing Ray wasn't finished.

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"You keeping him in custody does me no good. Wherever he is, it is better for me if he is outside. He is a walking target. Ray's voice hardened. "A target I want. A target you also want."

Marcus closed his eyes, memories of a younger, more idealistic version of himself flashing through his mind. "I am not you." He had to admit, a part of him wanted Ricardo out there at the mercy of the Shaw family instead of safe in prison. But he refused to admit it. "It is best you concentrate on what you are going to say to the press. Do not worry about those that don't concern you. If you are so worried, you can go ahead and say that we have him," Day said.

"You know I wouldn't work. If you had taken him out from the start without revealing this, your family would be the first suspect. But you allowed me to sue your family name to deliver the evidence. No matter what in the eyes of the world. If you wanted to kill him, you would not have handed him to the government. You removed yourself from this matter!" Marcus said in

frustration.

"You can always try to explain it this way. I am sure someone will listen," Ray said.

"Ray, please-"

"Goodbye, Marcus. Give my best to the vultures in Parliament. I'm sure they're having a field day with this."

The line went dead.

Marcus stared at the phone in his hand for a full minute before putting it down. Chapter 144 Blame

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A soft knock at the door jolted Marcus from his thoughts. "Sir?" a tentative voice called. "The Parliament leader is asking for you. They're reconvening the emergency session." Marcus took a deep breath, composing himself. He was the Attorney General. He had a job to do, personal feelings be damned. He knew nothing about this. Ricardo was on his own. "Tell her I'll be right there," he called back.

As he straightened his tie and prepared to rejoin the chaos.

"Order!" Mario's voice rang out, somehow cutting through the din. "We will have order in this chamber!"

Gradually, the noise subsided, all eyes turning to Mario and the stone-faced Attorney General beside her.

"Members of the Parliament," Mario began. It was easy to tell she was tired. "We are now facing an unprecedented crisis. We can have all our arguments later. Attorney General Russo will now brief us on the situation and the steps being taken to resolve it." As Marcus stood to address the chamber, he had already thought things through.

"Members of the parliament," he began, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "It may seem that the former president has disappeared on his own accord." Marcus said.

morning silence was shattered by the rhythmic thump of helicopter blades. Agent Vincent Reeves crouched in the open door of the Black

Alpha, you are going for insertion. I repeat, you

Chapter 144 Blame

set with grim determination. "You

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canopy, the cool air whipping past them. The moment Vincent's boots hit the

compound should be half a klick

evident in their silent efficiency. As they approached a clearing, Vincent held up a fist, bringing the team to an

trained eye caught the telltale signs of people. Fresh tire tracks in the mud, a faint wisp of smoke from the chimney. "Jenkins,

specialist consulted his equipment. "Five heat signatures inside, boss. Clustered in

nodded, his mind racing through

cabin erupted in a fireball, the shockwave knocking them off their

Vincent scrambled up, ears ringing. "Move in! Secure the

forward, a figure burst from the inferno, clothes smoldering. Vincent tackled him, driving them both to the ground. "Federal agent!" he shouted, struggling to subdue the man. "Stop resisting!" Chapter 144

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he caught a glimpse of the

etched on his features. "You

its axis

a physical blow. If he was involved

suspect," he ordered, his voice

her brow furrowed in concentration. The door burst open, startling her. "We got one," her colleague Alex, announced breathlessly. "Vincent's team just brought in

"The

jacket, following Alex to the conference room. The

one of the screens. Vincent looked haggard, his usual confident demeanor replaced by something...

came through, tinny but clear. "Sir, we apprehended

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were...

Hanson's face darkened. "And the intel?" "Preliminary search suggests a

seems to corroborate the Shaw

voices overlapping as the implications sank in.

fixed on her brother's face.

voice cut through the

Mary lingered, catching Vincent's eye

alone, Hanson's shoulders sagged, the weight of command evident. "How bad