Chapter 9 - THE FACTORY
The Mercer factory had been closed for fifteen years.
That night, every light was on.
We entered through three sides.
My father was waiting.
Clara sat in a chair.
Her hands were tied.
She looked exhausted.
But alive.
I stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
My father smiled.
“You finally came.”
“You lost.”
“No.”
He looked around.
“You brought an army.”
I stared at him.
“I brought witnesses.”
His smile disappeared.
Behind him stood Judge Kane.
Thomas was there too.
His eight sons had surrendered.
My father looked at them with contempt.
“Cowards.”
Thomas lowered his head.
My father stepped closer.
“You were always the weak son.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“You were.”
“You were afraid of me.”
He laughed.
“I made you.”
“You made the man you thought you could control.”
Silence.
He looked at Clara.
“She was never supposed to matter.”
I felt rage rising.
“She matters more than you ever did.”
My father pulled out a gun.
“Then choose.”
He pointed at Clara.
“Your wife.”
Then at the vault drive.
“Or the evidence.”
I looked at him.
“You still don't understand.”
He frowned.
“The evidence has already been released.”
His expression changed.
Marcus stepped forward.
“Every recording.”
“Every financial document.”
“Every name.”
“Already delivered to federal prosecutors.”
My father stared at me.
“No.”
I nodded.
“You spent twenty years building a secret empire.”
“I spent one night destroying it.”
His face twisted with rage.
He pulled the trigger.
But Marcus moved first.
The shot missed Clara.
Federal agents swarmed the room.
Judge Kane surrendered.
Thomas dropped his weapon.
My father stood alone.
I walked toward him.
He looked at me.
“You're just like me.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
I stopped inches away.
May you like
“I finally learned when to stop.”
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