Chapter 238

Chapter 238:

“Junction at one hundred fifteen percent,” Hannah’s voice crackled through the phone. “Camille, hurry.”

She parked haphazardly and sprinted for the building entrance. Inside, red emergency lights bathed the corridor in an eerie glow. The hum of electrical equipment grew louder as she approached the main control room.

“Where’s the manual disconnect?” she asked Hannah.

“East wall, blue panel. You’ll need your override code.”

Camille pushed through the door into the control room. The junction box dominated the center—a massive metal cabinet with blinking lights and digital readouts showing dangerously high numbers. She spotted the blue panel and ran toward it.

Her fingers trembled as she entered the override code. The panel beeped in acceptance and slid open to reveal a large red lever marked “EMERGENCY DISCONNECT.”

“I’m at the disconnect,” she told Hannah. “What happens when I pull it?”

“Riverside district loses power temporarily. Backup generators will kick in for essential services in thirty seconds.”

“Junction status?”

“One hundred twenty percent. Metal housing is heating up. Camille, if it blows…”

“It won’t,” Camille said firmly. She grabbed the lever with both hands. “Disconnecting now.”

She pulled with all her strength. The lever resisted for a moment, then gave way with a metallic groan. The lights on the junction box immediately went dark. The hum of power ceased, plunging the room into eerie silence, broken only by the sound of Camille’s rapid breathing.

“Junction 17 offline,” Hannah confirmed through the phone. “Power surge contained.”

Camille sagged against the wall, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. “Damage assessment?”

“Substation 12 destroyed. Junction 17 offline but intact. Grid redistributing power through secondary channels. We’ve lost redundancy in two sectors, but the system is holding.”

Alexander’s voice came through the speaker. “Security teams are en route to your location. Don’t leave the building until they arrive.”

Camille nodded, even though they couldn’t see her. “Has anyone called Victoria?”

“She’s already at control headquarters,” Hannah replied. “She arrived right after you left.”

Of course, she had. Victoria would never stay away during a crisis.

“The press is gathering outside headquarters,” Alexander added. “They want a statement.”

Camille closed her eyes briefly. Rose hadn’t just attacked the Grid—she’d attacked public confidence in their creation. Even with the immediate danger contained, the damage to their reputation could be severe.

.

.

.