Chapter 28 - |
Daniel let the silence stretch in the room for several agonizing seconds. He looked at Marcus Vale not with anger, but with a profound, clinical pity. On the security feed, I saw Daniel press a small button under his desk, silently signaling Elias Vance in the next room that the extortion demand had been made.
"Three million dollars," Daniel repeated slowly, testing the words.
"It’s pocket change for you people," Marcus sneered, leaning back confidently. "Consider it a severance package for ruining my family."
Daniel folded his hands on his desk. "Marcus, two years ago, I might have paid you. Two years ago, I was so terrified of public embarrassment that I would have done anything to keep a scandal quiet. I wanted the world to think I was perfect."
Marcus frowned, confused by the lack of panic in Daniel’s voice. "I don't care about your personal growth, Danny. Just pay the money."
"But I am not that man anymore," Daniel continued, his voice hardening into absolute steel. "I don't care if the world knows I made a mistake. I own my mistakes. And because I own them, you have absolutely zero leverage over me."
"You think I'm bluffing?" Marcus snapped, standing up aggressively. "I will burn this foundation to the ground! I will leak every dirty secret I can invent!"
"You won't leak anything," Daniel said, remaining perfectly still in his chair. "Because extortion is a federal crime. And since you are currently on parole, demanding three million dollars to stop a smear campaign is a direct violation of your release conditions."
Marcus scoffed loudly. "It’s your word against mine, rich boy. You have no proof."
At that exact moment, Elias Vance stepped out from the adjoining office, holding a digital voice recorder and a notepad.
"Actually, he has my word," Elias said smoothly, adjusting his glasses. "Elias Vance, The Chronicle. I’ve been recording this entire conversation, Mr. Vale. It’s going to make a fascinating chapter in my upcoming exposé on media extortion."
Marcus went deathly pale. He looked from Daniel to Elias, the realization of his catastrophic miscalculation crashing down on him.
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"You set me up," Marcus whispered, his voice trembling with fear.
"I didn't set you up," Daniel said coldly. "I just let you show everyone exactly who you are. The police are waiting in the lobby, Marcus. Your parole is revoked."
