2.A Single Father Thought He Was Saving Strangers From the River Until the Little Girl in His Arms Called Him Daddy

The Chicago Peninsula Hotel was ablaze with light. Limousines lined the curb, delivering wealthy donors, scientists, and politicians in tuxedos and evening gowns to the Vanguard Biologics Annual Gala.

Inside the service entrance, Ethan, dressed in a borrowed waiter’s uniform, carried a tray of champagne glasses past the busy kitchen staff.

Tommy had managed to secure security badges through a contact in the catering union. Grace and Lily were hidden in a production van parked in the alley, connected to Ethan via a small earpiece.

"I'm in," Ethan whispered into his collar mic. "Where is the main server room?"

"According to the blueprints I pulled from the city database, it’s on the third floor, directly behind the main ballroom stage," Grace’s voice crackled in his ear. "If you can plug this flash drive into the primary terminal, it will upload Sarah’s journals and the Genesis files directly to the press feed in the media room."

Ethan navigated the labyrinthine hallways, avoiding the security guards patrolling the VIP areas. He reached the third floor, his heart pounding as he slipped into the server room.

The room was cool, filled with the hum of massive server racks and blinking blue lights.

Ethan found the primary terminal. He inserted the flash drive.

"Upload starting," Grace said. "It’s going to take three minutes."

Suddenly, the heavy metal door of the server room clicked open.

Ethan spun around.

Standing in the doorway was Dr. Arthur Vance, the CEO of Vanguard Biologics, flanked by two armed security guards in suits.

"Mr. Cole," Dr. Vance said, his voice smooth and devoid of warmth. "I must admire your persistence. A simple firefighter, defying a multi-billion-dollar corporation. But you are playing a game you cannot possibly comprehend."

"The game is over, Vance," Ethan said, stepping in front of the server terminal to block their view of the progress bar. "We know what you did. We know about the cloning. We know about Lily."

"Lily is intellectual property," Vance said coldly. "She is the key to curing hundreds of genetic diseases. Her life belongs to science. To humanity. Your wife was merely the vessel we chose to start the process."

"She was my wife!" Ethan roared, stepping forward.

One of the guards stepped in, raising a pistol. "Back off."

"Your little upload won't work, Mr. Cole," Vance said, gesturing to the terminal. "We’ve already initiated a firewall override. The data is being wiped."

Ethan looked at the screen. The progress bar had frozen at 45%.

"You think you’re the only one who can play this game?" Vance sneered. "Now, tell us where the child is, or we will make sure your death looks like an unfortunate accident in a rough neighborhood."

Ethan smiled. "I'm a firefighter, Vance. I don't just plan for one exit."