"Sign the waivers for the Blackridge oil expansion," Arthur said softly. "And the Halden family will never worry about money again."
Gregor's hand trembled as he reached for the pen, a mont that felt like it could change everything.
----------
PRESENT DAY
---------
Arthur's Study, Osborn Estate
-----------
The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room. Arthur stood by the window, gazing out at the storm battering the estate grounds.
"Evolon," he called out.
In an instant, a giant screen lit up, revealing Evolon's face. "Sir!"
"Pull up Gregor Halden's current status."
The screen split into two: one half displayed Evolon's face while the other showed Gregor Halden's information.
Gregor Halden
Position: Forr Chairman, Minerals Commission (resigned three days ago)
Location:Private estate, Sapphire Coast
Financials:$585 million net worth
Health: Terminal lung cancer (diagnosed 8 months ago)
Arthur exhaled slowly and remarked with a calm deanor, "He's dying."
"Yes," Evolon replied. "His son is healthy though; the gene therapy was successful."
Arthur swirled his wine, the sa vintage he savored that fateful day at Silver Sands, and asked, "What about the current Commission Chair?"
"Vice-Chair Dmitri Sokolov was promoted after Gregor's resignation. He is... less anable to Osborn interests."
A sly smile crept across Arthur's face. "Because Mikhail Volkov owns him."
"Correct. Sokolov has blocked seventeen Osborn mining permits since taking power."
Setting his glass down decisively, Arthur declared, "Ti to remind Dmitri how quickly fortunes can change."
"Shall I deploy the dossier?" Evolon inquired.
"No. Too direct." Arthur tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Leak Gregor's resignation letter to the press, the one where he 'hints' at pressure from Vostok Minerals."
"Resulting in public outcry and an ethics investigation," Evolon concluded. "Sokolov will be removed within weeks."
Arthur nodded with satisfaction. "Show who is likely to beco the new Chair?"
Imdiately, Evolon displayed a new profile on-screen:
Carn Silva
Position:Senior Commissioner, Minerals Oversight
Loyalty: Purchasable ($10 million/year retainer)
Weakness: Her husband's illegal neuro-implant research
Raising an eyebrow and chuckling softly, Arthur mused, "Perfect. Draft the offer."
"And oh! Book a flight to the Eastern Dominion," he added.
"Yes sir!" ca Evolon's enthusiastic response.
--------
Minerals Commission Headquarters – Eastern Dominion
----------
The news erupted like a seismic charge. At exactly 8:17 AM, the Eastern Financial Tis blasted out the headline:
"Minerals Commission Chair Resigned Under Vostok Pressure, Leaked Letter Reveals."
By 8:30 AM, every major network was buzzing with the story, featuring Gregor Halden's explosive resignation draft: "I can no longer serve under the shadow of Vostok Minerals' coercion."
Dmitri Sokolov, freshly appointed Chair, stood obliviously in his office, savoring his morning coffee, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing.
That bliss evaporated the instant his assistant burst in, her face drained of color.
"Sir... sir... the press... it's not good!"
Dmitri's initial irritation was evident as he barked, "What now?"
"I..." she stamred, about to explain when
His phone exploded with notifications. First ca a call from the Pri Minister's office. Then the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Confusion painted his face as he stared at his phone, frantically swiping through notifications. "What's happening?" he demanded, turning to his assistant.
She quickly pulled up a tablet and displayed the news.
His eyes widened as he read the headline, his complexion turning ghostly. Just then, Mikhail's call ca through, and he quickly answered.
"You imbecile!" Mikhail bellowed, his fury palpable. "I told you to burn all of Halden's files!"
Dmitri's hands trembled as he stamred, "I did! I..."
"Then why is the whole goddamn Dominion reading them?!"
Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing three agents, badges shining under the harsh fluorescent lights.
"Dmitri Sokolov," the lead agent began, "you're under investigation for corruption and undue corporate influence."
His coffee cup shattered on the floor.
--------
Vostok Minerals HQ
---------
Mikhail had just reached his fifth LuxNull when the stock ticker flashed ominously:
Vostok Minerals: -22% (Trading Halted, Pending Investigation)
Chaos erupted in the boardroom. "We had nothing to do with Halden's resignation!" the board mbers protested.
"Tell that to the shareholders!" the lead director snapped.
Mikhail muted the cacophony and called his fixer. "Get Sokolov's family. Now! If he breathes a word about our arrangents..."
"Bad news," the fixer interrupted. "Sokolov's in federal custody. They've frozen his accounts. And… Arthur Osborn just landed in the capital."
Mikhail's glass halted mid-air, his face flushing red with rage.
Osborn!
This isn't a scandal. It's an execution.
--------
The Jade Gallery – Private Art Auction
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Carn Silva, a poised 48-year-old Minerals Commissioner, stood before a stunning 17th-century oil painting, her fingers clasped behind her back.
"The Fall of Icarus, ever heard that tale? I suppose not," chid Arthur, appearing behind her with a simple, knowing smile. "It's about a man who flew too close to the sun... and then, well, he died."
"It's nice to finally see Carn," Arthur remarked, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Carn turned toward him, her calm gaze unwavering.
Arthur chuckled, then pulled out his phone, revealing a dossier filled with startling information:
Her husband's illegal neuro-implant research.
A transfer receipt for 10 million Unicreds.
A draft press release for her impending nomination as Commission Chair.
"Your wife's work is groundbreaking," Arthur said, his tone turning serious. "But the Ethics Board might just call it 'human experintation.'"
Carn remained unfazed, locking eyes with Arthur. "And if I refuse?"
Arthur nodded toward the painting, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "Then you'll learn how Icarus felt."
An uneasy silence enveloped them as Carn's fists clenched tightly before she slowly relaxed them and took the phone.
"Quite smart!" Arthur said with an impressed whistle.
--------
Federal Courthouse
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Dmitri sat in a prison jumpsuit, staring blankly at the judge as the charges were read: "Bribery. Conspiracy. Abuse of Office."
"Dmitri Sokolov, you are hereby sentenced to 50 years in prison."
Bang!
The gavel struck, sealing his fate.
In the gallery, a sleek woman in a tailored suit watched Carn Silva, the incoming Chair, as Arthur adjusted his cufflinks beside her.
"Sokolov's finished," Carn murmured, taking in the scene.
Arthur simply smiled and shook his head. "No. Just neutered."
Across the room, Mikhail Volkov stord out, his lawyers scrambling to keep up.
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