The phone in Sadi’s hand was dead, but the quiet, icy voice on the other end still echoed in her ears. “If anyone tries to come in, hide her. I am ten minutes away.”

At that exact moment, the massive electronic screens backgrounding the main stage—which had been displaying Senator Sterling’s campaign logo—suddenly glitched.

The classical music playing over the speakers cut out, replaced by a loud, piercing static.

The crowd of two hundred high-society guests gasped as the screens flickered back to life, revealing high-definition video footage.

It wasn't campaign media.

It was security footage from the private basement of Trent Sterling's residence—showing Senator Richard Sterling himself going over illegal offshore bank transfers, signing orders for illegal port smuggling, and casually discussing the political elimination of his rivals.

Then, another file loaded onto the screens: a signed confession from Trent Sterling, complete with audio, detailing how the Senator had used him to launder millions through fake charitable foundations.

The ballroom erupted into instant, chaotic uproar.

"Turn it off! Turn it off now!" Senator Sterling screamed, turning frantically toward his staff.

Reporters immediately raised their cameras, flashes strobing like lightning across the room as they recorded the damning evidence spilling across the screens.

"How did you get those files?!" Sterling yelled, spinning back to face Dante, his face red and distorted with rage. "Trent’s private drives were encrypted!"

"Trent was a coward, Richard," Dante said calmly, taking Sadi’s hand into his. "Under enough pressure... cowards give up everything."

"Kill him!" Sterling roared at his four security guards, completely losing his mind in front of the press. "Kill them both!"

The lead guard reached into his jacket to pull a weapon, but Marco and four of Dante’s elite operatives—who had slipped into the gala disguised as catering staff—instantly stepped out from the crowd.

With swift, military precision, Dante’s men disarmed the Senator’s guards, slamming them to the polished marble floor before a single shot could be fired.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Half a dozen federal vehicles pulled up outside the glass entrance of the estate. FBI agents spilled through the front doors, weapons drawn, badges visible.

"Richard Sterling!" the lead federal agent shouted, walking up the stage steps. "You are under arrest for federal conspiracy, wire fraud, and corruption!"

Senator Sterling stood frozen, surrounded by flashing cameras, shouting reporters, and federal officers clicking handcuffs around his wrists. As he was dragged away, he glared at Sadi and Dante with pure, impotent hatred.

Dante turned to Sadi, a victorious, dark smile lighting up his handsome features.