Anthony sat alone in the historic, quiet archives of the All-Star University library—the one place he was confident the federal government would not risk a raid, given the political damage of violating a national landmark.He was on a secure, encrypted line with Fenrick, listening to the unfolding crisis."Liora has filed the massive evidence packet with the ICJ, Anthony," Fenrick reported. "Vance's confession, the full details of the financial assault—it's all public record now. But the Treasury has doubled down, claiming the documents are falsified to avoid prosecution.""That was expected," Anthony replied, his voice low and calm. "Vance will lie until he's behind bars. What is the immediate physical threat, Fenrick?""Physicality is critical," Fenrick stated grimly. "Senator Vance is holding an immediate press conference right outside the university gates, demanding the president personally escort you to the federal agents. The political pressure is overwhelming. They're trying to

Anthony held the device, his eyes locked on the federal agents blocking his path. He knew if he activated the emergency protocol, it would create an immediate, massive disruption that would give him the necessary chaos to escape, but it would also jeopardize Liora’s ICJ filing by proving the Empire was still willing to use destabilizing tactics.He was about to press the trigger when his comms crackled to life. It wasn't Fenrick or Ronan—it was Liora."Anthony! Stop! Don't move!" Liora's voice was tight with relief and absolute command. "The ICJ just handed down the ruling! We won the injunction!"Anthony froze, the device still in his hand, the water dripping from his clothes."We won?" he whispered, disbelief mixing with exhaustion."Yes! The International Court of Justice has granted the injunction!" Liora repeated, a triumphant sob in her voice. "They ruled that the U.S. Treasury seizure is 'legally preemptive and politically motivated,' and that the Sovereign Reserve status of th

Anthony’s first public appearance since the ICJ ruling was instantly overshadowed by the bombshell revelation of his mother's secret. He was standing on a makeshift stage in the VEXO lobby, flanked by Vionna, preparing to address a massive media congregation when Fenrick delivered the news.Anthony’s hand gripped the microphone stand, the polished chrome digging into his palm. He fought to keep his composure, his mind reeling from the revelation: his mother was a co-signatory to the Ghost Account.He ended the secure call with Fenrick and looked at Vionna, his eyes filled with a desperate, silent urgency. "My mother. She's involved. She's a signatory to the Ghost Account."Vionna paled, instantly understanding the devastating implications. "Anthony, if she's a signatory, she is legally exposed to the ICJ audit. She could face prosecution alongside Ezekiel Vance. This changes everything!""It changes the narrative, Vionna," Anthony whispered fiercely. "My stepfather, Oscar, put her thr

Anthony arrived at the crash site minutes later, driving the secure, unmarked vehicle Ronan had prepared. He found Fenrick's vehicle broadsided and abandoned, surrounded by police tape and emergency vehicles.He pulled over immediately, stepping out to address the lead police officer, displaying his recently issued, internationally validated Jodah diplomatic passport."I am Lord Anthony Jodah. That is my Head of Internal Operations. What happened here?" Anthony demanded, his voice crisp with authority."Traffic incident, Lord Jodah," the officer replied, eyeing the diplomatic papers with clear reluctance. "Your security detail was involved. They've fled the scene. We found this."The officer gestured toward a discarded archival box—the box that had held the Genesis Files. It was empty.Anthony immediately understood. The Vance operatives hadn't been stopped; they had intercepted Fenrick, taken the documents, and were now pursuing him for the key.He walked over to the wreck, finding a

Anthony's escape through the service tunnel was slow and agonizing, but he emerged safely outside the estate perimeter, where a discreet Ronan was waiting with an unmarked security vehicle. Ronan had successfully created the necessary diversion on the main road, drawing the Vance pursuit away from the shelter."Fenrick is secure, Lord Jodah," Ronan reported as Anthony climbed into the vehicle, covered in dirt and exhaustion. "My field team is covertly extracting him now and taking him directly to the most secure medical facility.""Good," Anthony breathed, placing the Sub-Vault key into a deeply concealed security compartment. "They have the Genesis Files, Ronan. Vance knows the full extent of the pact. But they don't have the key to the Level 3 Sub-Vault, the section they called the Legacy Reserves.""Legacy Reserves?" Ronan asked, his brow furrowing. "I've run security for this family for decades, Lord Jodah. I've never heard that term. The Jodah Sub-Vault only has two levels: docum