?Chapter 1496:


    “I understand,” he interrupted, before the operative could finish. A mad light gleamed in his eyes. “Mobilize all covert units. Intercept those thieves. Retrieve that data at any cost.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Remember — dead men tell no tales. And secrets die with them.”


    With that, he picked up another encrypted phone and dialed a direct line — the security detail responsible for monitoring the families of theb personnel.


    “Listen.” Kolton’s voice carried the chill of the grave. “To eliminate all investigative leads and future liabilities, there must be no loose ends. That includes the families of every employee connected to thebs. Clean the house. Completely.”


    Kolton paused only a beat before adding a final, chilling instruction. “Make sure it looks like an ident — something to halt any investigation for good. A gas leak, a car crash. I don’t care how. Just ensure they are permanently silenced. There must be no inquiry into the cause of their deaths.”


    The call ended, but Kolton didn’t put his phone away. He dialed the head of Cooper Group’s public rtions department, his orders crisp and cold. “Flood the inte with rumors about theboratory. It doesn’t matter what they are — just cause widespread panic first. Then have our controlled outlets issue swift denials. Muddy the waterspletely.”


    Having set these wheels in motion, Kolton finally looked up at the covert operative who still stood motionless by the door. This disy of ruthless efficiency was as much a performance of loyalty for Thomas as it was necessity. The operative said nothing. He fixed Kolton with an inscrutable, prating stare before turning on his heel to leave.


    The heavy door mmed shut, the soundnding on Kolton’s chest like a physical blow.


    He copsed into his chair, his fine shirt stered to his skin with cold sweat. He understood the meaning behind the operative’s look all too well.


    “No. I will not die here. Not like this.” A desperate, feral light shed in his eyes as he surged to his feet.


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    Without hesitation, he moved to a hiddenpartment behind a section of bookshelf and retrieved a pristine, untraceable backup phone. His fingers flew across the screen, typing out a message and sending it.


    The recipient was Jimmie Graham — his special assistant, who had recently pledged his loyalty. The young man owed Kolton everything, having been plucked from destitution; his entire life offort was a gift from Kolton’s hand. In this moment, Jimmie was his most reliable pawn.


    The message was brief: Prepare the car at once. We leave for the private airport immediately.


    Kolton tucked the phone away, moved to his safe, and worked thebination with practiced speed. He pulled out the singr document inside — the oil extraction rights agreement, personally signed by the tycoon Granger. It represented a ten-billion-dor oil field, his ultimate insurance policy. He shoved it into his briefcase.


    With money like that waiting abroad, he could still live as a king. He would still be the head of the Cooper family.


    “Wront…” Kolton gritted his teeth, the name a venomous promise. “When I return, I will grind everyst one of you beneath my heel.”


    Briefcase in hand, he fled his own study like amon thief and disappeared into a secret passage.


    Meanwhile, in a guest room at the Morgan family vi, Cohen hid in the semi-darkness, heavy curtains drawn tight against the world. The only light came from a single dimmp.


    In his hand, his phone screen glowed as he scrolled through the tidal wave of condemnation now swallowing Cooper Group online.


    Suddenly, his thoughts turned to his former boss — Kyle Cooper. Chris’s father. A man who had been genuinely kind and fair, who had seen potential in Cohen and promoted him on merit alone.


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