Chapter 196

The morning of September 15th arrived gray and cold, matching the heaviness in Alexander’s chest as he stood at his office window. Fifteen years. Fifteen years since Meridian Technologies collapsed. Fifteen years since his uncle Richard Pierce had tied a rope around his neck rather than face another day of Victoria Kane’s systematic destruction.

Alexander’s phone buzzed on his desk, but he ignored it. Today wasn’t a day for business calls or meetings. Today was a day for remembering. For honoring the dead. For making good on promises whispered in graveyards.

The secure phone in his jacket pocket vibrated against his ribs. A message from “Guardian”: *System breach complete. Phoenix Grid servers compromised. Anniversary gift delivered.*

Alexander closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment. Somewhere across the city, Kane Industries was about to discover that their precious Phoenix Grid had been sabotaged. On the exact anniversary of Richard Pierce’s death, Victoria’s crown jewel would suffer the kind of unexplained failure that would send shock waves through the company.

Justice, served cold after fifteen years.

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