"You’re taking things the hard way Alex.... Out of every one seated here tonight, I’m the only one on your side that is willing to take a slow and steady route.." Ghost said, trying to make me think he can be trusted.

"And I’ll ask again, what will all of you do if i don’t comply.." My voice cold, hands fisted on the table.

"Have an alliance with Ghost? or with greedy people like you all in politics, who can’t breathe a day without deceiving and killing people.."

I exhaled and let the silence stretch through the room.

Ghost clapped his palms together once, getting the attention back to himself.

"Very well then, I’ll leave the decision to be made by the board committee. Let them decide your fate Alex.."

The word dropped like a stone into still water. I braced to accept the final blow. While they mumbled in groups, passing their opinions within each other until it got to The Fox.

My gaze met with The Fox, I could see her eyes weigh what the board offered. A pang sensation hit her, Knowing even though I wouldn’t dare take a bow, not without starting a war, she couldn’t have me face the judgment of the board.

The Fox got up to announce. She hesitated to speak. Seemed quite dangerous. She cleared her throat.

"The board of committee, has made its final decision.. and right here in our midst, Alexander Epstein has made vile statements, and has been declared guilty of treachery..."

I stood there without flinching, I met Ghost’s glare for a long moment.

I exhaled through my nose, the sound heavy with resignation. Then rose up from the chair and walked to the tall window. Hands tucked inside my pockets. The city lights glittered far below.

"Treachery?!" My voice dropped cold. "You all just sat here and assigned a felony to me?"

"In my wildest dreams i never expected politics to be so ugly.. I knew had its downsides but this is past the radar.."

"You will hereby be incarcerated and tortured in a confined space....You will be broken until you give us what we need from you.." Said by a board member. "

"I never thought this day would come," I murmured. " But look at where we are.."

A sly smile turned into a loud laugh.

"..Hahahahaha.."

They all stared stunned and speechless as to why I was laughing at my pitfall.

Not knowing I now had the financial capability to buy my freedom and sue each and everyone of them.

Seems like I was ten steps ahead of myself.

I turned slowly. My eyes were steady, unbroken."It’s a shame to you all didn’t do your homework on what and who i really am.."

"You can’t defeat a man who has already won.."

Ghost hands curled into a fist. "So what are you trying to say.."

"I’m going to sue you all.."

The words echoed like gunshot in the quiet room.

Ghost laughed once, short, disbelieving.

"What?!~"

"How? There’s no way you’re capable of doing that, do you know the vast wealth of the people who are seated here in this committee.. You have nothing Alex.."

"Do you all still want to press charges against me or not?" I asked, sounding so bold and confident in myself, they didn’t want to take any more risky chances, they stared at themselves in fear and confusion.

"I’m still not convinced you have the means to pull that off, but though I’m a bit skeptical of the person you seem to be.. i see no fear in your eyes.." Ghost said, uncertain.

A personal assistant of Ghost quickly rushed towards him and handed a tablet to him and whispered in his ear.

"No!" He mumbled.

Ghost took a step forward, his face twisted, hands shaking. The realization hit like ice water.

The room went still as they looked at Ghost sudden reaction.

Ghosts breath came faster. "He’s a billionaire.."

"What! What!" The room grew louder with murmurs singing in the background.

"The new sole owner of lifelong laboratory and all it’s holdings, is Alexander?!" Ghost voice came out hoarse.

The silence that followed was heavier than any battle they forged against me.

The Fox froze. "How is that possible..? it belongs to Olivia Cyrus.."

"Ahh! I forgot to mention, but she pledged her loyalty to me Rachel..." A sly grin played on my lips.

"Rachel!!" She backed up as she heard me mention her name, thinking I couldn’t easily tell she was the one.

"No~no~ There has to be another way," she said quietly, almost pleading. As she saw all her schemes crumbling into pieces.

Ghost was left stunned. The carefree mask he always wore, the easy giggles, the teasing glint had shattered.

What was left—was raw cornered fear. I could see it even though the mask he wears.

But he sparked a fake calming reaction. "Wow, what an intense aura in here, this meeting can take a break let’s all head back to the ballroom.."

Chairs rolling out as they got up, with the disappointing result they had, to break me.

I turned back to the window. Setting my tie back in place. The city sprawled below me. Beautiful, broken, bleeding.

Only Ghost and I, we’re left alone, as he walked up to me, standing besides me, the glass revealed his reflection.

"I have to say, you held your ground up there, and that is a respectable salute to you, from me.."

"But I think you should also bear in mind that it’s not over... despite us not being allies, we shouldn’t also be enemies.." he gave a light tap to my shoulder, and walked off.

"Bastards.." I snarled through clenched teeth. And boldly walked out, into the elevator.

As I got to the ballroom, Ava sighted me from afar, and sprinted to me. She gasped.

"Where have you been I’ve been looking for you, and you’re receiver was off?"

"You had me worried sick, I almost orchestrated and ambush.."

I smiled deeply at her as I grabbed her waist, drawing her closer to me.