Chapter 6 – The Warrant
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
Three federal agents stepped into the marble lobby of Rhodes Global Headquarters, their dark suits drawing every eye in the building.
Conversations stopped.
Keyboards fell silent.
One agent approached the reception desk.
"We're looking for Damien Rhodes."
The receptionist forced a nervous smile.
"Do you have an appointment?"
The lead agent placed a folder on the counter.
"We have a federal warrant."
Within seconds, the news spread through the building.
Employees peeked over cubicle walls. Executives whispered in hallways. Someone secretly recorded the agents walking toward the executive elevators.
For the first time in years, the most powerful man in the company wasn't controlling the story.
He was becoming it.
Damien was halfway through a strategy meeting when his assistant rushed into the conference room.
"Sir... there are federal agents here."
He frowned.
"For what?"
"They wouldn't say."
The doors opened before anyone could answer.
"Mr. Damien Rhodes?" the lead agent asked.
Damien stood.
"I'm Damien Rhodes."
"We have a warrant authorizing the seizure of electronic records related to last night's incident and any communications concerning the deletion or alteration of surveillance footage."
Damien's attorney immediately stepped forward.
"My client will cooperate."
"We expect he will," the agent replied calmly.
Two technicians began collecting company laptops and servers.
Damien's face remained composed, but inside, panic was beginning to grow.
He knew one thing.
Someone had betrayed him.
Across the city, Emma sat quietly by the hospital window.
The rain had finally stopped.
Sunlight reflected off the skyline, making everything outside appear strangely peaceful.
Ethan entered carrying a paper bag.
"Breakfast."
Emma smiled faintly.
"I don't think I've ever seen you bring food to anyone."
"I stopped for pancakes."
She laughed for the first time in days.
The sound surprised them both.
Then Ethan grew serious.
"The agents executed the warrant this morning."
Emma looked at him.
"Already?"
"They're moving faster than I expected."
"Because of the video?"
"Because someone inside Rhodes Global started talking."
Emma lowered her eyes.
"I never wanted to destroy him."
"I know."
"I just wanted my husband back."
Ethan sat beside her.
"The man you married disappeared long before last night."
A knock interrupted them.
Dr. Carter entered holding the latest ultrasound images.
"I have good news."
Emma's heart raced.
"The bleeding has stopped."
She exhaled in relief.
"And Noah?"
The doctor smiled.
"He seems determined to meet his mother."
Tears filled Emma's eyes again.
For the first time since the gala, hope felt real.
But outside the hospital, another storm was forming.
In a downtown law office, Celeste Monroe stared at her phone as headline after headline flashed across the screen.
Then an email arrived.
Subject: Termination of Endorsement Agreements
One.
Then another.
And another.
Within twenty minutes, every major brand representing her had ended its contract.
She whispered to herself,
"This wasn't supposed to happen."
Then her phone rang.
It was Damien.
She answered immediately.
Instead of speaking, he asked one question.
"Did you trip Emma?"
Celeste's face turned white.
She realized he wasn't calling to protect her.
He was calling to protect himself.
May you like
And in that moment, she understood that if the empire was sinking...
Damien was prepared to let her drown first.
