Chapter 10 — A Fortune Built on Betrayal
# The Birthday Surprise
## Chapter 10 — A Fortune Built on Betrayal
Early the next morning, Ethan and Agent Mercer drove to Harrison Technologies headquarters.
The sixty-story glass tower dominated the Los Angeles skyline, just as it had for decades.
Employees greeted Ethan respectfully as he entered the lobby.
No one suspected that the company's chairman might be the mastermind behind an international criminal conspiracy.
Mercer spoke quietly.
"Don't confront Charles until we know everything."
Ethan nodded.
"I understand."
They took the private elevator to the executive floor.
Charles Harrison's office overlooked the entire city.
His assistant smiled politely.
"Mr. Harrison is preparing for this morning's board meeting."
Ethan smiled back.
"Please don't announce us."
The assistant nodded.
As Ethan approached the office, he noticed the door wasn't completely closed.
Voices drifted into the hallway.
Charles was on the phone.
"I don't care what Lucas promised."
"He talks too much."
A brief silence followed.
Then Charles spoke again.
"If the FBI finds him..."
"...make sure he never reaches a courtroom."
Ethan stopped walking.
Mercer quietly activated the voice recorder on his phone.
Charles continued.
"The documents are already prepared."
"Once I become majority owner..."
"The Harrison family won't be able to stop me."
Ethan's hands slowly clenched into fists.
Mercer placed a hand on his shoulder, silently reminding him to stay calm.
Inside the office, Charles ended the call.
He turned toward the door.
His confident smile disappeared the moment he saw Ethan.
"Ethan."
"I wasn't expecting you."
Ethan stepped inside.
"No."
"I don't suppose you were."
Charles noticed Agent Mercer standing behind him.
His expression hardened.
"What is this?"
Mercer displayed his FBI badge.
"Charles Harrison."
"We have several questions regarding Lucas Miller."
Charles laughed softly.
"Lucas?"
"I haven't spoken to him in months."
Mercer placed printed bank records across the desk.
"What about these payments?"
Charles looked down.
For the first time in years...
The experienced businessman couldn't hide his surprise.
Ethan quietly placed Lucas's recovered phone beside the documents.
"And what about the video?"
Charles slowly looked up.
His eyes met Ethan's.
Neither man spoke for several seconds.
Finally...
Charles smiled.
A cold, defeated smile.
"I suppose..."
"...Lucas finally failed me."
The room fell silent.
For Ethan, the betrayal was no longer a suspicion.
It had just become the truth.
