His mouth opened.
And closed.
“I helped write the operational requirements for Sentinel Nine,” I said. “I knew what the security protocols required. I also knew that someone in your company was cutting corners.”
Chase’s face twisted.
“You’ve been spying on me.”
“I’ve been protecting national security.”
“We’re family!”
“You made sure that stopped counting the night you threw my medal in my food.”
Dad slammed his hand on the table.
“Enough! Both of you!”
The room fell silent again.
General Cole watched my father with something close to pity.
“Mr. Sterling, we identified three areas of concern,” he said. “Unauthorized source code access. It means your son’s company allowed an entity outside the approved supply chain to handle protected material.”
Dad was shaking his head.
“Second,” Cole continued. “He submitted fabricated quality assurance reports.”
Dad stopped shaking.
“And third,” Cole said. “We found financial irregularities in how the company billed its labor hours.”
Chase grabbed the back of a chair.
“That’s a lie!”
“Mr. Sterling,” Price said. “We have documentation.”
Chase turned to me.
“You did this. You couldn’t stand that I was successful.”
I met his eyes.
“Chase, I didn’t report you. I recused myself. And I stayed silent for years.”
His face contorted.
“Then who—”
“Your CFO,” I repeated. “Your own employee. Because she couldn’t watch you destroy something that mattered.”
Elaine started crying.
Soft, quiet tears.
She raised a napkin to her mouth.
“He’s a good boy, Brooke. You know he is.”
The words hit me harder than I expected.
“A good boy wouldn’t risk a contract that protects soldiers’ lives,” I said.
“He didn’t—”
“Mom,” Chase snapped. “Don’t beg her.”
Dad walked toward me.
Slowly, like I was a wild animal.
“Brooke,” he said gently. “We can fix this. You have connections. You know these people.”
“I don’t know them,” I said. “I serve with them.”
“And you could help your brother.”
“You want me to help cover up a federal investigation?”
Dad’s eyes hardened.
“I want you to be loyal to your family.”
“Dad,” I said. “I would have done anything for this family. But I will not break my oath.”
Chase laughed.
Bitter and sharp.
“Your oath. You hide behind that while we built something real.”
“You built something that must be earned honestly,” I said.
“That’s rich from someone who works underground and lies about her job.”
“One of those things is my duty. The other is your choice.”
He stepped toward me.
One of the security guards moved closer.
“Mr. Sterling,” the guard warned. “Keep your distance.”
I looked at Chase.
And for the first time, I saw him clearly.
He wasn’t entitled.
He wasn’t privileged.
He was afraid.
