Chapter 77 SEVENTY-SEVEN
Victor sat in his study reviewing the surveillance photos his investigator had sent over. Lennox entering Cole's apartment at six in the morning. Leaving thirteen hours later. The same pattern repeated over the past week.
He set the photos down, poured himself a scotch. This was becoming a problem.
Initially he'd assumed the relationship was personal, perhaps romantic, which would have been perfect for his plans. But the timing was wrong, the pattern too. They were meeting too frequently, staying too long, and Cole had started asking questions at board meetings. Pointed questions about financial oversight and audit procedures.
They were investigating something. And given Lennox's skills as Cipher, that something was likely him.
His phone rang. James, his head of security.
"We've got movement on the Morrison situation. He's in Brooklyn, confirmed location."
"Good. Handle it quietly."
"Already arranged. Should be resolved by tomorrow."
Victor hung up, took a sip of his drink. Morrison had been a useful tool but he'd become sloppy, started drinking too much and talking to people he shouldn't. Better to eliminate that loose end before it became a real problem.
But Morrison wasn't the immediate threat. Lennox and Cole working together, that was the danger.
He pulled up his laptop, opened the file he'd been building for months. Everything he had on Lennox as Cipher. Her digital fingerprints on various corporate servers, the pattern of leaks that matched her investigation timeline, the technical analysis proving she'd accessed Westbrook systems.
It was time to move up the timeline.
He'd planned to wait until closer to the two year mark, let Callum get comfortable before destroying everything. But if Lennox and Cole were building a case against him, he couldn't afford to wait before they’d get actual evidence to use against him. Better to strike first and control the narrative
He opened his contacts, scrolled to Alan Marcus. Investigative journalist, good reputation, desperate for a big story to revive his failing career. Perfect.
The call connected. "Alan, it's Victor Harding. I have something you might be interested in."
"I'm listening."
"How would you like an exclusive on corporate espionage at one of Manhattan's biggest tech companies? Hacker stealing trade secrets, fake marriage to gain access, the whole thing."
"That's a big claim. You have proof?"
"Extensive documentation. Digital forensics, access logs, everything you'd need to verify the story." Victor leaned back in his chair. "The hacker is known as Cipher. Very high profile in certain circles. And she's currently married to Callum Westbrook."
Silence on the other end. Then, "His wife is Cipher?"
"His wife is Cipher. Married him under false pretenses, has been stealing data from the company for months. I've been investigating quietly, didn't want to expose it until I was certain. But the evidence is irrefutable."
"When can I see it?"
"I'll send over a preliminary package tonight. We can meet tomorrow to discuss the full story." Victor smiled. "This breaks in three days, Alan. I'm giving you first access but I have other journalists lined up if you're not interested."
"I'm interested. Send the package."
Victor hung up, pulled up his email. He'd prepared the evidence dump weeks ago, edited and curated to tell exactly the story he wanted told. Lennox as a corporate spy, Callum as the naive victim, Victor as the vigilant board member who'd uncovered the conspiracy.
He sent the preliminary package to Alan, then started making more calls. Sarah Reed at the Financial Times. Marcus Rodriguez at Bloomberg. Katherine Liu who ran a popular tech industry blog. He spread the story across multiple outlets, ensured that when it broke it would be everywhere at once.
By tomorrow night, all the pieces would be in place. The journalists would have their evidence, would be writing their stories. By the end of the week, Lennox's identity as Cipher would be public knowledge and Callum's marriage would be destroyed.
The board would demand her arrest for corporate espionage. The media would tear apart their relationship, question every decision Callum had made since marrying her. And in the chaos that followed, Victor would be positioned perfectly to acquire the assets.
He'd worked too long on this plan to let it fall apart now.
His phone buzzed. A text from his investigator. Morrison will be handled by tomorrow afternoon. Clean, no traces.
Good. One less problem to worry about.
He opened another file, this one containing his backup plans. Offshore accounts ready to receive transferred funds if he needed to move money quickly. Plane tickets to three different countries, all under false names. Legal documents that would protect his assets if things went sideways.
He didn't think he'd need them. The evidence against Lennox was solid, his narrative too compelling. But it was always wise to have an exit strategy.
Another call, this one to Richard Stone.
"Victor. I was just reviewing the acquisition proposal you sent."
"And?"
"It's ambitious. You're certain the company will liquidate?"
He scoffed arrogantly "After everything I have planned works out, I’m positive."
"And the board will approve our acquisition bid?"
"I control fifteen percent of voting shares. Combined with the other board members who trust my judgment, we'll have enough votes to approve the sale." Victor pulled up the financial projections. "Westbrook Industries is worth fifteen billion. In a liquidation sale, we can acquire the key assets for under three billion. The return potential is extraordinary."
"What about the Westbrook brothers? They won't fight the liquidation?"
"They'll be too busy dealing with the many things I have planned. And by the time they realize what's happening, it'll be too late to stop." Victor smiled. "This is happening, Richard. The only question is whether you want to be part of it."
"I'm in. Send over the final terms."
Victor hung up, feeling the pieces click into place. Everything was aligned. The journalists had their stories. Morrison would be silenced. Richard was ready to move forward with the acquisition.
All that remained was watching it unfold.
He pulled up one more file, this one containing the anonymous tip he'd prepared for the SEC. Allegations of securities fraud, evidence of unauthorized access to corporate systems, documentation showing Lennox had been trading on insider information she'd stolen, it was all fake of course but no one will look too close with the other evidence.
It was overkill, probably. The media exposure alone would destroy her credibility. But Victor believed in being thorough.
He'd send the SEC tip the same day the media stories broke. Let the federal investigators pile on, add criminal charges to the civil ones. Make sure Lennox didn't just lose Callum but her freedom as well.
She'd tried to expose him, tried to uncover his theft. Now she'd learn what happened to people who threatened Victor Harding.
His phone buzzed again. Another text from his investigator. Westbrook and Rivers left the building separately. Following standard protocol.
Victor had increased surveillance on both of them over the past week. Needed to know their movements, their patterns, who they were talking to. So far nothing concerning, just the usual meetings and appointments.
But he'd keep watching. Keep monitoring at least to make sure there were no surprises.
Three days until the story broke. Three days until Lennox's world came crashing down and took Callum's with it.
Victor raised his glass in a private toast. To careful planning. To patience rewarded. To the systematic destruction of the Westbrook empire and his acquisition of its remains.
Everything was proceeding exactly as he'd designed it.