Chapter 96
The lavish palace press room was crowded with reporters, their eager eyes glued to President Alvada as he strode to the podium. His posture exuded power, his expression firm but controlled. Cameras flashed, capturing every detail as he adjusted the microphone.
“My fellow citizens,” Alvada began, his deep voice carrying an air of authority, “in these uncertain times, our nation has faced numerous challenges. Recent events, including the arrest of Kael Veridan, have uncovered a dangerous conspiracy aimed at destabilizing our government.”
Celestina stood just outside the press room, her heart pounding as she watched the live broadcast on a nearby monitor. She knew what was coming.
“After a thorough investigation,” her father continued, “we have identified the mastermind behind these heinous acts. Dimitri Reznov.”
Gasps rippled through the room, and Celestina felt her knees weaken.
“Dimitri is a dangerous fugitive,” Alvada said, his tone resolute. “He has orchestrated attacks, manipulated key figures, and endangered countless lives. I have ordered an immediate manhunt to ensure his capture and bring him to justice.”
Celestina clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She could feel the walls closing in around her.
Later, in the safety of her private quarters, Celestina paced back and forth, her mind racing. Her father’s betrayal burned in her chest. He had manipulated the entire nation to protect himself, and now he was throwing Dimitri to the wolves.
“We can’t let him do this,” she said aloud, though the room was empty.
She grabbed her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t used in years. “General Rowan,” she said when the gruff voice answered. “I need your help.”
An hour later, she sat across from the general in a quiet study, the door locked behind them. Rowan, a veteran officer with a no-nonsense demeanor, folded his arms as he listened to Celestina’s hurried explanation.
“You’re asking me to go against the president,” Rowan said, his voice low and gruff. “That’s treason.”
Celestina leaned forward, her tone urgent. “It’s not treason when the president is the traitor. He’s framing Dimitri to cover up his own crimes. I have evidence—at least, I did.”
Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of evidence?”
“Proof of his involvement in covert operations, assassinations, and political corruption,” she said. “Kael had it all on a drive, but now it’s missing. My father must have taken it.”
The general rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “If what you’re saying is true, this goes beyond anything I imagined. But finding that drive won’t be easy.”
“Then help me gather more evidence,” Celestina pleaded. “There have to be people in his administration who know the truth. If we can find them—”
“It’s a dangerous game you’re playing,” Rowan interrupted. “But I’ll see what I can do.”
That night, Dimitri met Celestina in a secluded garden on the palace grounds. His face was grim, his movements tense.
“Your father’s men are closing in,” he said, his voice low. “I can’t stay hidden much longer.”
Celestina’s chest tightened. “We’ll find a way to stop him. I won’t let him destroy you.”
“You don’t have much time,” Dimitri warned. “If he captures me, this all ends.”
“Then we’ll make our move now,” Celestina said, her voice firm.
Dimitri frowned. “What move?”
Celestina glanced around to ensure they were alone. “I’m going to leak part of the file to the press. Just enough to show the public who my father really is without implicating you.”
“That’s risky,” Dimitri said, his tone skeptical. “If you push too hard, he’ll retaliate.”
“I don’t care,” Celestina replied. “He’s already crossed every line. I won’t stand by and let him win.”
Dimitri’s gaze softened, and he reached out to take her hand. “You’re braver than you think, Celestina.”
She met his eyes, her voice trembling. “I just want this nightmare to end.”
With Liora’s help, Celestina accessed her father’s private network. Liora had recovered part of the encrypted file before it disappeared, and together they carefully selected key documents to leak.
“This will expose his ties to those assassinations,” Liora said, pointing to one of the files. “It’s enough to spark outrage without completely blowing everything open.”
Celestina nodded, her fingers shaking as she prepared to send the files anonymously to the nation’s largest news outlet.
“You’re sure about this?” Liora asked.
“Yes,” Celestina said, her voice steady. “It’s the only way to stop him.”
She hit “send,” and the files disappeared into the digital void.
The next morning, the news exploded with reports of Alvada’s alleged corruption. Headlines screamed accusations, and citizens took to the streets in protest.
But Celestina’s small victory was short-lived.
That afternoon, as she returned to her room, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. She answered quickly, her heart leaping when she heard Dimitri’s voice.
“Celestina,” he said, his tone urgent. “They’ve found me. I’m—”
The line went dead.
“Dimitri?” she called out, her voice rising in panic. “Dimitri!”
