Selene expected Ethan to contact the Tribunal investigators or order the financial authorities to freeze the Velmora accounts, but instead, Ethan called Xavier Group’s central finance office.“This is Ethan Xavier,” he said when an official answered. “Transfer ninety million dollars from my private continental account into the national relief fund. I want the transaction completed before the end of the day.”Silence came from the other end before the official responded. “Did you say ninety million dollars, Chairman?”“You heard me correctly.” Ethan looked at Selene while issuing the order. “Record it as a private contribution. The entire amount must enter the relief account without administrative deductions.”“Yes, Chairman. We will begin the transfer immediately.”“Send the confirmation directly to me and prepare a public audit of how the fund is distributed. I want proof that the money reaches the intended communities.”“It will be done.”Ethan ended the call and placed the radio on

Four days after Selene left for Betaria, the Supreme Leader of Verdanis stood among temporary workers waiting to enter VerdaLife through its service gate.Selene had reached Betaria safely and sent Ethan a short encrypted confirmation. Hilton remained missing, while VerdaLife continued telling the public that it had no connection to the assassination attempt during the commissioning. Its executives expected Ethan Xavier to respond with soldiers, arrests and public investigations.Instead, Ethan entered an ordinary employee shuttle wearing cheap dark trousers, a plain shirt and an inexpensive jacket. Prescription-style glasses covered part of his face, while a different hairstyle and light facial hair changed his appearance enough to prevent immediate recognition. Only Mira, Brigadier General Lorne and two trusted investigators knew where he was.The shuttle stopped behind the VerdaLife Southern Regional Procurement and Records Centre. It was a wide grey building surrounded by deliver

“That depends on what he is trying to hide.”Leah looked at the invoice on the cabinet. “Put everything back before he returns.”“You know these records are false,” Ethan said.Her fear gave him the answer before she spoke. Leah checked the camera again and moved into the area hidden behind the metal cabinet.“Knowing something inside this building can get you killed,” she whispered.“Then why are you warning me instead of reporting me?”Leah studied his face. Ethan did not appear frightened, even though Caleb could return at any moment. His calmness made her wonder whether he was truly an ordinary temporary worker.“Because somebody else asked the same questions,” she finally answered.Ethan placed the invoice back on the cabinet. “Who?”“His name was Owen Hale. He worked in this records department before me.”“What did he discover?”Leah hesitated. “Several government hospitals complained that they had not received equipment listed in our system. Owen compared their reports with the

By the following morning, that belief had made him bolder.Ethan arrived at the procurement centre at the same time as the other temporary workers. Before anyone could enter the basement, a supervisor ordered them to gather inside the main records hall.Permanent employees stood near their desks while four internal security guards watched the doors. Leah remained close to the basement staircase, avoiding Ethan’s eyes.Caleb entered carrying a folder. His expensive suit and serious expression made him appear like a responsible manager preparing to address a major crime.“An internal examination has discovered serious financial problems inside this department,” he announced. “Millions of dollars connected to regional procurement orders cannot be properly explained.”Concern spread among the employees.Caleb continued, “Restricted records were also opened without authorisation yesterday. Some files may have been copied or shared outside this facility.”His eyes settled on Ethan.“This ha

“Very well,” he said. “Follow me.”Naomi ordered the employees to remain in the records hall. She then followed Caleb upstairs with three members of her team.Caleb’s office was searched carefully. The officers examined his computer, desk drawers and filing cabinets. They found ordinary contracts and approved payment reports, but nothing that could immediately prove theft.Caleb began to recover his confidence.“As I told you, this department follows VerdaLife’s procedures,” he said. “The temporary worker downstairs is trying to escape responsibility by making wild accusations.”One officer approached a steel cabinet built into the wall. Unlike the other cabinets, it had no ordinary keyhole. A small fingerprint scanner and number pad protected it.“What is inside this archive?” the officer asked.“Private staff records,” Caleb replied. “They have nothing to do with procurement.”Naomi checked the information on her tablet. “The electronic system shows that thirty-seven procurement fil