Chapter 45: Aidan's Ultimate Gamble

Aidan stood in the poorly lighted conference room fixingly staring at the tablet in his hand. On the screen, the last set of evidence against Victor presented a comprehensive, damning dossier that definitely established his uncle's illicit activity. He checked over it one last time, ensuring every bit of evidence was in place and every record precisely matched like chess pieces ready to knock down the king. Once he pushed send, he realized he cannot turn back.

Marcus walked slowly into the room, his face stiff. Here is all set. The front-stage created by the media. Their need for your response is so high, he said softly. "Are You Set?"

Aidan nodded, suitably locking the gadget inside his suitcase. Here we are Marcus, right here. Fall marks for Victor Pierce's empire.

The two of them stared grimly at one another, and for a short second Aidan felt the weight of all he had done to reach this moment almost overwhelm him. Years of shadow fighting, assembling supporters, biding his time had been squandered. Now he was heading into the light ready to expose Victor for just what he was. His only hope was that the risk he was running might at last be enough to bring him down.

The route to the press conference appeared odd. Every step echoed over Pierce Corp's hallways, a sobering reminder of the power Victor once possessed here—a power Aidan was about to unleash. As he reached the conference room doors, he could hear the hum of expectation filling the air. The murmur of reporters was slow. Cameras clicked and the audience grew quiet to wait as he stood before the platform.

With their pens ready to capture his every word, Aidan stared out over the sea of faces, reporters and media professionals from every major organization. He inhaled deliberately to assist in the peace of silence.

"Good afternoon," he murmured, his voice loud and clear throughout the room. "I value every one of you turning up today. What I tell you will change your understanding of Pierce Corp., and the man leading it.

He halted so his comments would sink in. Wide-eyed with interest, reporters leaned forward.

Under a mask of respectability, my uncle Victor Pierce has been passing for years as a visionary leader, philanthropist, man of integrity. But that image is a lie. Victor Pierce has unquestionably been running a worldwide criminal network today, one that has driven his riches and influence at the expense of many lives.

Gasps and whispers filled the hall. Aidan continued unrelenting as he described Victor's relationship to arms traffickers, his involvement in human trafficking groups, the shell corporations and offshore accounts backing his illegal operation. Every revelation struck like a blow, and he could see the shock, the fear on the faces of people who had loved his uncle.

His voice hardening, Aidan stated, "victor Pierce has exploited vulnerable communities all around, profiting from violence, suffering, and corruption." "This is a betrayal of the very values Pierce Corp. was built upon, not only of the legacy of my family."

Aidan indicated hush with a hand, and a flurry of hands emerged as reporters sought reactions.

"There is more," he said, his voice losing strength. "I have here checked proof of Victor's illicit behavior. Names, dates, transactions, all set for the world to view.

Rising the tablet to view the cameras, he pressed a button to begin downloading the files to a safe server linked to the room's media channels. When the document was distributed, reporters hurried to get it; their cheeks were flushed with horror as they reviewed it.

Anarchy erupted as cameras focused on the data and reporters yelled fast into their microphones. Aidan maintained cool and waited for the unavoidable inquiries while his heart hammered. But before he could respond to any of them, the rear door of the room burst open and a bunch of federal agents showed in, their badges gleaming under the lights.

The room burst in violence as the primary agent advanced to personally meet Aidan. "Mr. Pierce, we are here to act on your provided proof.

Aidan nodded quickly, staring just at Then you know where he is to find.

Eyes closed, Victor was pacing his office across town, focused on the screen displaying Aidan's news conference. Benevolent under his cool façade, wrath simmered under his hands, yearning to tear the screen to shards. How had Aidan gathered so voluminous data? And who else had turned against him along the road?

His phone rang, he snatched it to bark into the receiver. "What is it?," asked

His helper stammered, clearly frightened. She answered, "Sir." "The federal agents are coming approaching building. They cover your arrest under a warrant.

Victor turned his face with fury. "Your lazy moron!" How did you let it find its way here?

He slammed the phone and ran toward the window, staring out over the city that had once bent to him. He was not going down like this—not under the control of his nephew, not with everything he had produced on line for risk. He had budgeted for backup, but there was only a small one.

He pressed a switch on his desk turning on a secure line. His voice chilly, he continued, "Prepare the helicopter." I have five minutes to get away.

Back at the press conference, Aidan was mid-sentence when Marcus arrived with pale face.

"Aiden, Victor's on the move," he remarked gently. "He is trying to escape via helicopter.

Eyes closed, Aidan experienced an adrenaline spike. Victor's last attempt at escape from justice was to slip away like he often did. But Aidan was ready.

His voice sharp, he said, "I've already told the authorities." "They will intercept him before he steps on ground."

Aidan returned to the podium and gently and purposefully addressed the reporters. "Visitor Pierce might try to run but he won't succeed," he said. Nothing wealth or power would save him; justice is on her way.

The press went nuts as Aidan withdrew so the federal agents could take the floor, cameras blazing. The lead agent told the media on the charges and the approaching arrest, therefore verifying Victor's doom from the public's point of view.

Victor rushed to the terrace, his breaths sharp and forceful. The wind swirled around the helicopter as the blades slashed through the air in a deafening scream, preparing it ready for departure. He ascended and his imagination spun with notions of revenge as his jaw tightened. Aidan would cover this for him. Nobody turned on him and left right away.

But a black SUV squadron sped onto the rooftop, their headlights piercing the cloud before the chopper could takeoff. Federal agents materialized, pistols pulled, their faces set with will.

One among them cried, "victor Pierce!" His voice shouted above the sound of the helicopter. Take off the car. You under custody.

Victor's face went sharply hostile, his eyes ablaze with opposition. Looking toward the horizon he knew it was over, even though he appeared to be considering a getaway. He left the chopper slowly lifting his hands, smirking.

As the agents cuffed Victor, his eyes turned entirely to contempt. He straightened and raised his head high as if he were asking anyone to regard him as anything other than powerful.

But when he saw Aidan staring coldly from near the rooftop edge, his composure wavered. Their eyes locked, and Victor felt an unquenchable chill. For the first time, he thought of his nephew as a real enemy—one who had outwitted him at every turn.

You write this off as over? Victor spat, his voice low but harsh. You regard yourself as having won?"

Aidan did not flinch; his gaze were steady, unrelenting. "That's over, Victor.." Your realm disappeared. Your power goes missing. And nothing here for you to grab on.

Victor laughed sharply, a harsh laugh. "Aidan, you really are a moron. People that like me do not just disappear. Damage already done even though I am no longer here. More complicated than you might think our planet is.

Aidan kept his cool, but his uncle's comments unsettled him. Victor's caution lingered over the victory he had so courageously fought like a shadow.

Aidan's last words, "This isn't over," kept coming back to him as the agents walked Victor off.

Watching his uncle get into the car, Aidan felt both pride and worry. Victor had won even if his threat continued; he knew that some battles did not end with a single victory.