Chapter 482

Chapter 482:

His phone buzzed with an encrypted message: Meeting tonight. Pier 47. 11 PM.

Alexander’s jaw clenched. The Guardian wanted to meet in person. That only happened when plans required major adjustments or when things had gone catastrophically wrong.

The hours crawled by with agonizing slowness. Alexander paced his apartment, replaying the morning’s events over and over. He’d watched the stock price plummet during pre-market trading, feeling the satisfaction of seeing Victoria’s empire finally cracking under pressure. Then Richard Lewis and Senator Alvarez had appeared like avenging angels, systematically dismantling his attack with surgical precision.

Who was Senator Alvarez to Camille? Alexander had researched every aspect of her life, every relationship, every connection. The revelation that one of the most powerful men in Washington would personally intervene to save Kane Industries felt like discovering a hidden landmine in familiar territory.

By ten-thirty, Alexander was driving through the industrial district toward the waterfront. Pier 47 was abandoned at this hour, nothing but rusted shipping containers and broken streetlights. The kind of place where conversations happened that could never be traced or recorded.

He found the Guardian waiting in the shadows between two storage units, a figure in an expensive coat whose face remained hidden in darkness.

“You failed,” the Guardian said without preamble.

“The Lewis family intervened. I had no way of predicting Senator Alvarez would get involved.”

“You should have researched deeper. You should have known about every connection, every relationship, every potential threat.”

Alexander’s hands clenched into fists. “I spent months gathering intelligence on Victoria Kane and Camille. There was no indication that…”

“There was no indication because you were looking at the wrong targets.” The Guardian’s voice carried cold disappointment. “You focused on Victoria’s business relationships and Camille’s emotional vulnerabilities. You ignored the most dangerous threat of all.”

“Which is?”

“Old money. Old power. The kind of influence that doesn’t show up in corporate filings or social media profiles.” The Guardian stepped closer, his face still obscured by shadow. “Richard Lewis comes from five generations of New England wealth. His family has been placing senators and judges for over a century. Senator Alvarez owes his entire political career to the Lewis family’s support.”

Alexander felt sick. “You knew about this?”

“I suspected. But I thought Victoria’s crimes were severe enough that even the Lewis family wouldn’t risk their reputation defending her.” The Guardian’s tone was bitter. “I underestimated their loyalty to Camille.”

“So what now? We’ve lost the element of surprise. They know someone is targeting Kane Industries.”

“Now we escalate to ensure justice is served.”

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