Chapter 7 - Betrayal at the Top
Evelyn stood in the dim light of the lantern, the cold silence of the abandoned grain silo heavy around her. The realization swept over her like a tidal wave of ice: Grant hadn't just been a cold, detached corporate executive. He was the architect of Aegis Bio-Dynamics. He had helped kidnap their own sister, Clara, seven years ago to launch the early prototype phase of the drug—and when Clara’s body gave out, he expanded the operation into a industrial-scale harvesting network targeting homeless children across the Midwest.
"Ms. Whitaker?" Paul asked, his voice filled with deep concern as he saw her pale face. "What is it?"
Evelyn slowly shut the laptop lid. The grief that had consumed her for seven years vanished, replaced by an intense, white-hot rage that burned away every trace of fear.
"My brother sold his soul to Governor Vance," Evelyn said, her voice terrifyingly calm. "And he killed my sister."
Mason stood up from his crate, his eyes wide as he heard her words. "Your brother... is one of them?"
"He is the head of them," Evelyn replied. She looked down at the silver flash drive in her palm. "They think they own this city. They think because they have money, political power, and armed guards, they can treat human lives like disposable raw materials. They think children like you don't matter because nobody knows your names."
She looked directly at Mason, Lily, Caleb, and Theo.
"Tomorrow night is the Governor's Annual Charity Gala at the Navy Pier Crystal Gardens," Evelyn said, her eyes shining with cold determination. "Every major news network, every billionaire, and every law enforcement chief in the state will be in that room. Governor Vance is launching his campaign for the United States Senate."
"What are you going to do?" Paul asked, stepping forward.
"We are going to crash the party," Evelyn said.
"Ms. Whitaker, they have the entire police force looking for you!" Paul urged. "They will shoot you before you reach the front entrance!"
"They are looking for Evelyn Whitaker, the fugitive CEO," she countered, a sharp, dangerous smile touching her lips. "They aren't looking for a ghost who has nothing left to lose. Paul, I need you to contact my personal security detail—the men from my private security firm who were loyal to my father, not Grant. We have twenty-four hours to prepare the biggest exposure in the history of this country."
She turned to Mason. "Mason, I need your help. You said you escaped from the facility under the old brewery in South Chicago?"
Mason nodded fiercely. "I know every door, every air duct, and where they keep the rest of the children. There are at least twelve more kids locked in the lower ward, waiting for the men in blue masks."
Evelyn reached out and gripped Mason’s shoulder firmly. "Then tomorrow, while I deal with Vance and my brother at the gala, my team is going to break those children out. You are going to guide them."
May you like
Mason looked at his little sister, then back at Evelyn. For the first time since Evelyn had met him on Michigan Avenue, the guarded, suspicious look in his eyes vanished, replaced by an absolute, unwavering trust.
"Tell me what to do," Mason said.
