©Novel Buddy
Wealth Domination System-Chapter 15: Crosshairs and Contracts
Chapter 15: Crosshairs and Contracts
Charles woke to silence—the kind that screams before something breaks.
Yesterday ended with threats, a system half-hosted in Reed Global’s power, and money wired but trust fractured.
He rolled over. Lena was gone. No note. Just silence.
His phone buzzed:
> "Meet at East Pier. Midnight. Come alone. Bring the system key."
Then deleted.
He stared at the message. Crosshairs. System key. Clear enough.
---
8:00 PM – Charles’ Studio
Phones were gone. No security. No backup. He looked at Lena’s empty side of the bed.
> [System Task: Dangerous Meeting Ahead – Recommend Backup or Countermeasure]
He didn’t care what the system recommended.
He dumped his phone, grabbed the system USB, and walked out.
---
10:45 PM – East Pier Dock
Fog rolled over dark water. Ships loomed like silent giants.
Charles waited.
A figure approached—shadowed, silent.
Then Lena—eyes fierce, coat wrapped tight.
"What are you doing?" she whispered.
"I’m collecting a bullet tonight."
She closed her eyes. "Let me come."
He shook his head. "I’ll go alone."
She took a step toward him. "I won’t let you."
He held out the USB. "Go home. Please."
She didn’t move.
He rubbed his face. "If this ends badly... you need to survive. This is bigger than me."
She stared.
Then, she snatched his hand.
He froze.
---
11:47 PM – The Shadow Deal
The silhouette emerged from the mist—Sasha Reed from earlier.
She wore black. Confident.
"Charles Kane," she said. "Glad you came."
He glanced at Lena.
She stepped back, arms crossed.
Charles nodded. "Let’s do this."
Another figure came into view—tall silhouette in a hoodie.
Sasha held up the USB drive.
"You transferred control to me. I accepted. But I want more."
Charles’ heart pounded.
He’d signed Reed’s paperwork, but not his soul.
"What do you want?"
> [System Alert: Threat Detected – Unauthorized Integration Attempt. Countermeasures Ready]
Sasha smiled. "Your compliance. Public. A press conference tomorrow, announcing our merger. Reed Global controls your system. You stay CEO... without real power."
Charles felt ice in his veins.
That wasn’t the deal he’d imagined.
He pulled the USB back.
"No press conference. No power play. You don’t own my system."
Sasha frowned.
From the hoodie, the second figure stepped forward—hands in pockets.
Charles saw the gold bracelet, the watch, the cold smile.
It was Damian Kane’s brother, Victor Kane—a senior figure in Reed Global he didn’t know existed.
Victor spoke, voice low.
"We can force exit, Charles. Make the deal, or the system locks you out. And maybe... makes your heart skip forever."
Charles felt Lena’s hand on his arm.
---
12:03 AM – The Ultimatum
Sasha pressed.
"Give me control. Public announce. Or you’ll lose everything. Legacy. Lena. Possibly you."
Charles swallowed.
> [System Intrusion Coming – Integration Attempt: Immediate Lockdown]
He felt his heartbeat match Lena’s.
He said quietly: "This isn’t fire you can burn me with."
Victor smirked.
"Ever heard of the kill command?"
Charles stepped closer.
"I’m calling my own press conference. At sunrise. You’re invited. But one thing: no merger. No control. I’m doing this my way."
Victor laughed.
Big mistake.
---
12:30 AM – Showdown
He shoved the USB at Victor.
"Here—just take it."
Victor caught it.
Sasha held up her phone.
> "You just triggered every lock control in Reed Global’s system. You’ve already lost."
Victor grinned.
"You end this. Now."
Charles didn’t flinch.
He and Lena turned away.
> [System Trigger: Kill Command Detected – Shutdown Sequence Initiated]
The USB clicked.
Victor peered at it.
"Nice try."
He tossed it into the water.
> SPLASH.
Charles stared.
Then Sasha laughed—cold.
---
1:15 AM – The Fog and the Fight
Charles grabbed Victor’s arm.
"You’re going to regret that."
Victor smirked.
Sasha stepped back, pulled a pistol.
Charles froze.
Lena screamed.
The sound echoed across the pier.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om