Chapter 38
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While Noah and Maya were driving to Boston, the situation back in Greenwich escalated dangerously. Evelyn arrived at the foundation early the next morning to find Marcus Vance waiting for her in the main lobby, accompanied by the head of their private security team.
"Evelyn, we have a major problem at the aquatic center construction site," Marcus said grimly, leading her out the back doors toward the massive new facility.
The site, usually buzzing with the activity of dozens of construction workers, was completely silent. Yellow caution tape surrounded the main entrance, and local police officers were taking photographs of the interior.
"What happened?" Evelyn demanded, her heart sinking as she saw the shattered glass doors.
"Someone bypassed the perimeter alarms last night," the security chief explained, shining a flashlight into the dark building. "They took sledgehammers to the main filtration pumps for the zero-gravity pools. They also severed the primary electrical conduits. The damage is catastrophic."
Evelyn walked into the ruined building. Millions of dollars of specialized, custom-built medical equipment had been completely destroyed in a matter of hours. The aquatic center, which was supposed to open in a month to help paralyzed children experience freedom in the water, was now a massive crime scene.
"Who did this?" Evelyn asked, though she already knew the answer.
"The police are calling it random vandalism," Marcus said, his voice tight with anger. "But we know better. Silas Mercer is trying to bleed us dry. He knows the foundation heavily publicized the opening of this center. If it doesn't open, we look incompetent. And the financial hit from the repairs will be massive."
Evelyn kicked a piece of shattered glass, her fierce protective instincts flaring into a blinding rage.
"He thinks he can terrorize us into submission," Evelyn hissed, looking around the ruined room. "He thinks because he wears a suit, he can act like a mob boss."
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Marcus looked at his phone. "Evelyn, there is something else. A local news van just pulled up to the front gates. Aegis tipped them off about the vandalism. They are spinning a story that the foundation is falling apart due to Noah's poor leadership."
"Let them film," Evelyn said coldly, turning on her heel and marching back toward the main building. "But we are not playing defense anymore. Marcus, get the security footage from every camera within a five-mile radius. Mercer hired professionals to do this, and professionals always leave a digital trail."
