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.

of helicopter blades. Agent Vincent Reeves crouched in the open door of the Black Hawk, his

for insertion. I repeat, you are going for

Chapter 144 Blame

at his team, their faces set with grim determination. "You

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

ordered. "The compound should be

swiftly through the underbrush, years of training evident in their silent efficiency. As they approached a clearing, Vincent held up a

abandoned cabin, but Vincent's trained eye caught the telltale signs of people. Fresh tire tracks in the mud, a faint wisp of smoke from the chimney.

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

racing through potential scenarios. "Alright, standby

a deafening explosion. The cabin erupted in a fireball, the shockwave knocking them off

ears ringing. "Move

figure burst from the inferno, clothes smoldering. Vincent tackled him, driving them both to the ground. "Federal agent!" he shouted, struggling

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limp, coughing violently. As Vincent cuffed him, he

approached, concern etched

stood slowly, his world tilting on its

hit him like a physical

suspect," he ordered, his voice hollow. "I need to make

furrowed in concentration. The door

widened. "The Deputy Director?

room. The atmosphere was electric,

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

but clear. "Sir, we apprehended

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suspected safehouse. Four others were... killed in an explosion prior

Hanson's face darkened. "And the intel?" "Preliminary search suggests a treasure trove, sir.

it seems to corroborate the Shaw

voices overlapping as the implications

eyes fixed on her brother's face.

through the mood. "Reeves, stay on

lingered, catching Vincent's eye

shoulders sagged, the weight of command evident. "How bad is