Chapter 5 - The Fall of Mercer Tech
Arthur looked as though he had been hit by a freight train. He staggered back a step, grabbing the edge of a catering table to steady himself.
"You... you disqualified us?" he gasped, his voice cracking. "That contract... that contract is keeping Mercer Tech solvent! We pledged fifty million dollars in private bridge loans to secure those production lines! If we lose Sentinel, the stock will collapse!"
"Then I suggest you prepare your shareholders for a very difficult morning," I replied impassively.
"You can't do this!" Trevor suddenly burst out, his face flushing red with childish anger as he stepped into my space. "You're doing this out of spite! You're ruining our family because you're bitter about the inheritance!"
Before Trevor could take another step, General Vance stepped smoothly between us.
"Young man," Vance said, his voice dropping into a tone that chilled the entire circle, "you are currently shouting at a Senate-confirmed Director of Defense Intelligence inside the White House. I strongly advise you to close your mouth before I have Secret Service detain you for treasonous interference."
Trevor snapped his mouth shut, stepping back behind Evelyn, who looked as though she were about to faint.
Arthur looked at me, tears of rage and desperation welling in his eyes.
"Kate... please," he begged, dropping all remaining pretense of authority. "I am your father. I built everything I have for my children. You can't destroy us like this. What do you want? I'll restore your inheritance! I'll give you fifty percent of Mercer Tech's voting shares! I'll write Trevor out of the trust tonight!"
Trevor whipped his head toward Arthur. "Dad! What?!"
"Shut up, Trevor!" Arthur yelled, turning back to me with frantic, bloodshot eyes. "Kate, please. Name your price. Just sign the clearance."
I looked at the man who had abandoned me twenty-six years ago. I looked at his expensive suit, his fifty-thousand-dollar tickets, his fake pride, and his desperate, empty legacy.
"You offered me your empire when I was eighteen, Arthur," I said, my voice steady, quiet, and absolute. "I told you then, and I will tell you now: my country is not for sale. And neither am I."
I turned to General Vance. "General, please escort Mr. Mercer and his guests out of the building. They no longer possess valid security clearance for this room."
"With pleasure, ma'am," Vance replied.
Vance snapped his fingers, and four Secret Service agents immediately moved in, placing firm hands on Arthur, Evelyn, and Trevor's shoulders.
"Kate! Kate, don't do this!" Arthur screamed as he was turned toward the exit, his polished leather shoes sliding across the pristine marble floor. "I'm your father! You hear me?! I'm your father!"
The crowd of world leaders, generals, and diplomats watched in silence as the great Arthur Mercer was escorted out of the White House East Wing in absolute disgrace, shouting into the empty air until the oak doors slammed shut behind him.
I adjusted the sleeves of my uniform, took a deep breath of the cool, air-conditioned air, and turned back to the Secretary of Defense.
"Shall we begin the briefing, Mr. Secretary?" I asked.
"Whenever you're ready, Director Mercer," he smiled.
May you like
And as I walked toward the podium to address the nation's highest leaders, I knew that twenty-six years ago, I hadn't thrown away a dynasty.
I had built my own.
