Chapter 46
CHAPTER 46 — THE CHESSMASTER’S TRAP
Claire’s finger tightened on the trigger. "You're lying. You want the code for yourself."
"If I wanted it for myself, I wouldn't have brought this," Victoria said, lifting a heavy leather case from the floor and tossing it at Claire’s feet.
The case popped open. Inside was a third pair of baby shoes. These weren't red, blue, or black. They were cast in a blinding, immaculate white gold thread, the soles made of solid platinum.
"The original design," Victoria whispered, her eyes gleaming with a manic, historical pride.
"Your grandfather didn't build a shadow trust, Claire. He built an artificial intelligence network in 1978 called The Monarch Grid. It controls the automated defense satellites of three global superpowers. The shoes are the physical decryption keys. The color determines the sector. Red for the domestic grid, blue for the European pools, black for the black-ops blackouts... and white for the absolute termination sequence."
The glass wall behind Victoria suddenly shattered as Julian Vance stepped into the room, flanked by six armored mercenaries. His suit was covered in dust, his face twisted in absolute betrayal as he looked at Victoria.
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"You old viper," Julian hissed, his gun aimed at Victoria's head. "You were going to wipe the entire Enclave out from the inside!"
"The Enclave is a parasite on the Whitmore name, Julian," Victoria said smoothly, not even flinching. "It’s time to clean the wallpaper."
