The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 187

Chapter 187: Dead or alive.

A bitter smile twisted Samuel's face as he gazed out over the sprawling cityscape. "You can't hide from me forever, boy," he muttered, his words laced with a cold, simmering menace." One way or another, I'll tear down your walls and reclaim what is rightfully mine."

***

Deep within the heart of Star City, the compound that served as the headquarters for Richard Madison's private security force, the Dark Hand, hummed with activity. In the command center, a bank of monitors flickered with real-time surveillance feeds, their glowing displays casting an eerie pall over the room.

Richard paced before the main screen, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he studied the latest intelligence reports. The failed incursion by his grandfather's mercenaries had been a costly miscalculation, but one that had ultimately played into his hands. "Sir, we've received word from our operatives at the city limits," a gruff-voiced lieutenant announced, stepping forward with a datapad in hand. "The hostiles have been secured and are en route to the holding facility for processing." Richard nodded, his jaw set in a grim line. "Good See that they're kept isolated from one another. I want to interrogate them myself and find out exactly who they're working for."

The lieutenant dipped his head in acknowledgment before turning on his heel and striding from the room, barking orders into a handheld radio.

Alone once more, Richard turned his attention back to the monitors, his gaze drawn to the live feed from one of the city's main thoroughfares. The streets were eerily deserted, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle that characterized Star City's pulsing heart. A heavy frown creased Richard's face as he studied the vacant streets, his mind racing. He

knew his grandfather would not back down so easily, not after the humiliating defeat of his initial strike force. Samuel Madison was a man accustomed to getting his way, no matter the cost-a truth Richard had learned all too well over the ver years.

As if on cue, a soft chime emanated from the console before him, signaling an incoming transmission. With a few deft keystrokes, Richard accepted the call, and the flickering visage of one of his remote operators materialized on the screen.

"Mr. Madison, we have a situation developing at the eastern perimeter," the operative reported, his voice filled with urgency. "Multiple hostile forces are attempting to breach the city limits, and they're not alone." Richard felt his heart rate spike, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Explain."

they'd really enlisted the aid of local law enforcement and coastal guard units just as you had said," the operative continued. "They're disguising themselves as authority figures in an attempt to slip past

using the police on video. His grandfather was pulling out all

city without my express permission. And have a containment team standing by-I have a feeling we're going to need them." As the operative's image winked out, Richard turned his attention to the live feed once more, his gaze hardening as he watched the first waves of hostile forces converge on the city limits. The battle lines had

shoulders and strode from the command center, his footfalls echoing

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fight to his grandfather, to put an end to

calm that had blanketed Star City. Richard's Dark Hand operatives fought with a cold, ruthless efficiency, their training and discipline proving more than a match for the rag-tag assemblage of hired guns and co-opted law

lay subdued, Richard surveyed the carnage with

the opening dance in-a much larger conflict. It seemed the old man was not stubborn for

his way back toward the command center, his mind already churning with contingencies and countermeasures. The battle for Star City had been won, but the war for the soul of the

make his grandfather so famous, he will not be able to explain himself. He could not help but feel pleased

just as he had expected. Agents arrived at night. They worked for the government.

general asked him what he should do. To this Richard smiled and told him to let the public know. Richard was ready to release the video

video and the news of the arrest hit the news, Richard had gone to

had exploded because

Meanwhile, life continued.

the prestigious private academy, its tinted windows concealing

Charles Smith approached the main entrance of the kindergarten. He was not sure why he had come. But he wanted to see