THE FALLEN BILLIONAIRE BUILDING A DEAD ZONE EMPIRE

7

"Do I look like a billionaire's wife, or the queen of an empire?"

Gina stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, adjusting a diamond necklace that cost more than a District 13 tenement block. The deep emerald silk of her dress shimmered like serpent scales under the vanity lights.

Aiden stood behind her, fastening his cufflinks. "You look like someone who is about to own the city, Gina."

"We, Aiden. We are about to own the city," she corrected, turning to press a lingering, cold kiss to his cheek. "The car is waiting. Lewis is already at the Grand Hyatt. He says the Secretary of Finance is eager to meet the man behind the miracle."

As they stepped into the armored limousine, Aiden felt the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Two black SUVs followed them—men in charcoal suits with earpieces and cold, predatory gazes.

"New security?" Aiden asked, nodding toward the rearview mirror.

"Cerberus Solutions," Gina replied, her voice smooth. "Lewis insisted. With the launch of the Neural-Wealth Global Fund tonight, he didn't want to take any chances with 'unstable elements' in the city."

Unstable elements. Like me, Aiden thought.

The gala was a sea of tuxedos and champagne. As Aiden entered the ballroom, the whispers followed him like a wake. He was the "Ghost Genius," the man who had supposedly handed the keys of the world to Lewis Thorne.

Lewis met them near the stage, looking every bit the triumphant conqueror. He grabbed Aiden’s hand, pumping it with fake fervor. "Aiden! Look at this crowd. They’re here for you, buddy! Or at least, for what’s inside that head of yours."

"The system is performing well, I assume?" Aiden asked, his eyes scanning the room. He spotted a man standing near the pillar—short-haired, scarred, and watching Aiden with the intensity of a sniper. Cerberus.

"Better than well. It’s a goddamn gold mine," Lewis whispered, leaning in. "But listen, the 'Neural-Sync' you mentioned? The emotional control? I need that module. Tonight. I’ve got three hedge fund managers in the VIP lounge who need a little... push... to sign over their portfolios."

"It’s not ready for live deployment, Lewis," Aiden said, playing the cautious scientist. "The feedback loop could be dangerous."

"Danger is just a lack of courage, Aiden," Lewis’s eyes flashed with a manic glint—the first sign of the Neural-Wealth parasite beginning to feed. "Give me the override code. Just for an hour."

Aiden hesitated, just long enough to make Lewis desperate. "Fine. But if the latency spikes, shut it down immediately."

Aiden tapped a few commands into his phone. He wasn't giving Lewis control. He was giving Sovereign permission to start mapping the neural signatures of every billionaire in that VIP lounge.

"Thanks, pal. I knew I could count on you," Lewis slapped his back and hurried away.

Aiden moved toward the balcony, seeking the cold night air. His phone vibrated. A secure text from Zhara.

Z: I’m in. Lewis just activated the 'Sync' module in the VIP room. I’m recording everything. Aiden... he’s not just using it to trade. He’s using it to blackmail them. He’s accessing their private biometric data.

A: Let him. The more he steals, the heavier his shackles will be. Are the Cerberus feeds tapped?

Z: Yes. They think they’re monitoring you. They don't realize I’ve looped their cameras. But Aiden, be careful. The lead agent, a man named Steiner... he’s not just a guard. He’s an inquisitor. He’s been asking Marcus questions about your 'frequent walks' in the outskirts.

Aiden looked up as a shadow fell over him. It was Steiner.

"Mr. Crowne," the man said, his voice like grinding stones. "The balcony is unsecured. I’d advise you to stay inside where we can see you."

Aiden turned, leaning against the railing. "You’re very dedicated, Steiner. Cerberus must pay well for such... close observation."

"We pay for results," Steiner replied, his hand resting on his belt. "And my result is keeping you alive until my employer says otherwise."

The underlying threat was as clear as the moonlight. Aiden smiled, a slow, predatory expression that actually made Steiner blink.

"Tell me, Steiner," Aiden stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "When the person who pays you is standing on a sinking ship, do you go down with them, or do you look for the man who owns the lifeboats?"

Steiner’s eyes narrowed. Before he could respond, a sudden gasp erupted from the ballroom.

Lewis had just stepped onto the stage, but he looked... different. His face was flushed, his pupils dilated. He was gripping the podium so hard his knuckles were white.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Lewis shouted, his voice cracking with an unnatural euphoria. "Tonight, we don't just announce a fund. Tonight, we announce the end of poverty! The end of uncertainty! Because I have seen the future, and it belongs to me!"

Gina, standing at the foot of the stage, froze. This wasn't the script. The Neural-Wealth dopamine spike had hit Lewis too hard, too fast.

Aiden watched from the balcony, his face a mask of calm. The parasite had found its host.

"It’s starting," Aiden whispered.

"What did you say?" Steiner demanded, moving toward him.

Aiden looked at the guard and pointed toward the stage. "I said, I hope your employer has a very good lawyer. Because the man you’re protecting just admitted to the entire world that he’s lost his mind."

On the stage, Lewis began to laugh—a high, shrill sound that chilled the room. Behind him, the giant screen displaying the fund’s growth began to flicker, the golden numbers turning into a chaotic, bloody red.

Zhara had begun the "First Fracture."